Chapter 291 Letting Go

Chapter 291 Letting Go

Shortly after Aria entered the flower shop, the door opened.

She looked up to see Lance standing in the doorway, his eyes burning as he gazed at her.

Aria paused slightly, speaking gently, "Lance, what brings you here?"

Lance walked in, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before he said softly, "Just passing by, thought I'd come see you."

The shop employees were all busy. Aria poured Lance a cup of coffee, and the two walked to a corner by the window, standing face to face.

After a moment of silence, Lance spoke first, his voice low and slow, "You and him... you've made up, haven't you?"

Lance had actually arrived before them, but he'd stayed in his car the whole time.

So he'd seen it when Arthur and Aria arrived.

And naturally, he'd caught sight of their intimate gestures.

Aria didn't avoid the question. She nodded gently, her tone frank, "Yes, I'm willing to give him another chance."

That simple sentence fell like a stone into Lance's heart, rippling with bitterness.

Actually, the outcome wasn't very surprising. From the moment she'd seriously rejected him, this situation had seemed within his expectations.

But thinking about it was one thing—seeing it with his own eyes was another.

Lance forced a smile, a flash of loneliness crossing his eyes before quickly disappearing, "That's good. He really has changed a lot."

He'd seen Arthur's changes with his own eyes.

As a fellow man, he naturally knew what that meant. Because of that, he didn't have much ground to compete...

He'd also seen how much Jasper liked Arthur.

It was a different kind of affection than what the boy showed him—perhaps this was what blood ties meant.

Actually, at this moment, Lance was gradually coming to terms with it.

He liked her, but more than that, he wanted her to be happy.

Aria looked at him, a trace of guilt crossing her heart as she said softly, "Lance, I'm sorry."

After thinking it over, Aria realized that all she could say to Lance was sorry.

She paused, then continued, "You're wonderful. In the future, you'll definitely find the right person for you."

Lance lowered his head, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Yes, I'm sure I will."

He raised his head, the heaviness in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a kind of relieved calm, "We're still friends, right?"

Aria looked at his relieved expression, the guilt in her heart lessening a bit as she said softly, "Yes, we'll always be friends."

Only friends now...

Just as she finished speaking, steady footsteps came from the doorway.

Aria instinctively looked up, and the moment she saw Arthur walk in, obvious surprise flashed in her eyes.

She spoke without thinking, her tone carrying some confusion, "Why are you here? Weren't you going to the office?"

Arthur walked closer slowly, a faint smile in his eyes. He raised his hand, holding out a small velvet box to her, his tone gentle, "You left this in my car."

Aria froze for a moment, then realized. She reached out to take the box.

She opened it to find a delicate pearl hair clip inside—the one she often wore.

Aria felt somewhat helpless, "Why make a special trip? You could have just given it to me tonight."

"I was worried you might need it."

Arthur's gaze swept over the loose strands by her temple, and he naturally raised his hand to tuck them behind her ear.

"Want to put it on?"

"No need."

Aria put away the box and shook her head gently.

Only then did Arthur turn his gaze to Lance beside them, "What brings Mr. Gray here today?"

Lance took in the scene of the two interacting naturally, something dark crossing his heart. His hand tightened around the coffee cup, but loosened again after a moment. Meeting Arthur's gaze, he smiled lightly.

"Just happened to be passing by, came in to take a look."

As if thinking of something, Lance looked at Arthur and said slowly, "Is Mr. Grant busy? Can we chat for a bit? There are some things I'd like to ask you about."

Arthur nodded, his expression calm, "Sure."

The two men walked out of the flower shop one after the other.

Standing under the sycamore tree by the street, leaves rustled in the wind.

Lance stopped first, turning his head to look at Arthur, his eyes deep, "You're very lucky."

Arthur paused at these words, then smiled and nodded, "Yes, I think I'm very lucky too."

Lucky that she was willing to give him another chance.

Lucky that she was willing to trust him again, giving him the opportunity to make amends!

"From now on, you'd better treat her well."

"If there's ever a next time, I'll definitely take her somewhere you'll never find her."

Lance couldn't quite describe his feelings. He just wanted to use this method to make Arthur treat Aria well.

He paused, his gaze turning toward the flower shop, where Aria's figure was faintly reflected in the glass window.

"These past five years, I've witnessed everything about her—her sorrows and joys. But I knew she always kept something hidden in her heart. Now though, I don't see those things in her eyes anymore. I think it's probably because of you."

Lance smiled somewhat self-mockingly, "Though I really don't want to admit it, I still have to say—in her heart, from beginning to end, there's only ever been you. I couldn't even squeeze my way in..."

Arthur remained silent, not responding.

He knew Lance was telling the truth.

And precisely because of that, he had to treat her even better...

Lance withdrew his gaze, looking at Arthur with honest eyes, no longer holding any resentment, "She's willing to give you a chance, willing to trust you again. You should cherish it."

"I will."

Arthur's tone was steady, brooking no doubt, "I was wrong before, and I let her suffer a lot. From now on, I won't let her suffer even a little bit."

"That's good then."

Lance nodded, finally letting go of his last bit of attachment, "I hope you mean what you say."

He raised his hand, actively extending it toward Arthur.

At this moment, he had nothing left to hold onto.

Arthur looked at him and reached out to shake his hand, his tone serious, "I will. Thank you for taking care of her all these years."

Lance said in a deep voice, "That's something I was willing to do. You don't need to thank me."

This was a dignified farewell between two men over the same woman.

Releasing his hand, Lance stepped back, a relaxed smile playing at his lips, "I'll be waiting for you to invite me to your wedding banquet."

Arthur nodded seriously, smiling as he replied, "Alright."

What he owed Aria—he really should make up for it with a wedding...

Lance nodded slightly, saying nothing more. He turned and walked away, his retreating figure composed and carefree. The sunlight stretched his shadow long as it gradually receded, disappearing around the street corner.

Arthur stood in place, watching the direction he'd gone. After a moment, he turned and walked back to the flower shop.

The door opened, and Aria looked up, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Arthur walked to her side, naturally taking her hand. His palm was warm and firm, his voice gentle, "Everything's fine now."