Do you believe in love at first sight?

Chapter:9.2

In Maxwell's embrace, Ethan could no longer hold back, crying out in anguish as if he had been thrust back into the nightmare of his past. His sobs tore through the air, filled with unbearable pain and despair. Maxwell held him tightly, his strong arms offering silent support and comfort. Every unconscious movement seemed to absorb the pain of Ethan's past, soothing his turbulent heart, as though this embrace could calm the storm raging within Ethan.

After a long while, Ethan finally calmed down and lifted his head from Maxwell’s chest. His hands trembled as he nervously began to sign, “Do you think I’m…”

“No!” Maxwell cut him off, already knowing what Ethan was trying to express. He grasped Ethan’s hands firmly, refusing to let him “say” those hurtful words. “Look closely into my eyes, Ethan. Do you see either of them mocking you? Do you see any sign of contempt or disgust? Tell me, do you see it?”

Ethan hesitated, his eyes flickering with doubt, but Maxwell continued, his voice steady and unwavering. “All I see is someone who survived. Someone who is still here, despite everything. And that deserves respect, not shame.”

Ethan was stunned by the firmness and seriousness in Maxwell’s voice, momentarily speechless. Then, slowly, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Yes, Maxwell's eyes were clear, without a trace of the disdain he had feared. “Thank you.”he lsigned softly.

“You don’t need to thank me for this. No one has the right to look down on you. You’ve done nothing wrong,” Maxwell said softly, pulling a tissue from the table and carefully wiping away the tears from Ethan’s face.

“Maxwell, you and Liam are both so kind. If only I had met the two of you sooner,” Ethan signed, his expression heavy with regret. “Just two year earlier,maybe...”Those terrible things might never have happened.

"Was it Liam who took you away from that place?" Maxwell asked, his heart aching with the thought that if he had met Ethan sooner, maybe things would have been different. But he knew it was a thought that could never be realized.

Ethan nodded, hesitating for a moment before removing the wristband he always wore on his right wrist.

Beneath the white band were five crisscrossed scars.

Maxwell’s chest tightened painfully at the sight, as if a blade had cut through him. "What happened?" he asked, gently holding Ethan’s hand, his rough thumb brushing softly over the scars.

"When Liam rescued me, I had completely lost myself—like I wasn’t even a person anymore. To be honest, my memories of those days are pretty hazy. Liam told me I didn’t want to live at all. The first two cuts were made in that shop, and they weren’t stitched properly, which led to infections, making the scars thick and obvious. The last three cuts happened while I was being treated in the hospital; at that time, I couldn’t even comprehend that I was safe…” Ethan paused, his hands trembling slightly.

Maxwell tightened his arms.

Ethan stared at Maxwell for a moment and smiled faintly. "Nothing is wrong now, don't feel sad for me." Ethan saw that Maxwell looked upset.

In the nearly two years in the hospital, Ethan has slowly changed, learning to smile and walk in the hospital garden. Compared to the past when he was afraid to communicate with people and unwilling to walk outside, he is now much better.

　　"By the way, we didn't eat anything in the restaurant just now. I'm really sorry for making you spend money."