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Chapter 207

Chapter 204 A World She Had Never Seen
Hearing Sierra’s praise, Johnathan instantly felt like the entire trip had been worth it. Spending half an hour wrestling with that fish was nothing compared to seeing her this happy.
As theskydarkened, Johnathan steered the boattowarda prime snorkeling spot. He had Sierra and Dickson change into theirgear, then had someone guide Dickson into the water while hereachedout his handtowardSierra.
“Come. I’ll take you.”
Sierra couldn’t swim, let alone snorkel, but without hesitation, she placed her hand in Johnathan’s.
It was an entirely different world.
A world Sierra had never seen before.
She had spent over twenty years surrounded mostly by darkness, with only brief glimpses of light.
But now, she realized there were places in the world this beautiful.
The vibrantcoral, the colorful fish darting around, the slow, graceful movement of sea turtles–this image burned itself into Sierra’smind. She was completely lost in it, only snapping back to reality when Johnathan gently lifted her to the surface.
“It’s beautiful, Johnathan!”
Her eyes sparkled. At this moment, she truly looked like a girl in her twenties.
If she hadn’t gone through all that pain if she had been born into an ordinary family… maybe she would have always beenthiscarefree.
Johnathan couldn’t help himself–he leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers.
“Sierra, you’ll see even more beautiful places in the future.”
So, smile more.
Because Sierra liked it so much, Johnathan took her downafew more times, only stoppingwhenshe was too exhausted to continue.
Dickson was just as excited as Sierra. He had alsogrownup struggling and had never seen anything like this before.
On the way back, both of them fell asleep.
Johnathanreachedout,gentlybrushing Sierra’s cheek.
His gaze, usually unreadable, was now filled withsomethingelse–somethingsofter.
Sierra’s grandmother saw it all. And for the first time, she felt at ease.
Eyes never lied.
Johnathan was always polite to others,buttherewasalways a distance, a coldness inhisstare.
Butwhen he looked at Sierra,she was all he saw. His emotions–all of them–were for her alone.
“Jolmathan, Iwantto ask you for afavor.”
Hearing Sierra’s grandmother’svoice,Johnathanimmediately looked over. “Of course.Justsaythe word.”
“When I die,haveSierra scatter my ashes in the sea.”
She couldn’t say this to Sierra directly–she didn’twanttomakeher sad.
Johnathan nodded solemnly. “Ipromise.” After a pause, he asked, “Ma’am. if you had the chance to live longer, but there wasaprice, what would youchoose?”
8:33PM
Chapter 204 A World She Had Never Seen
“Whatkind of price?” she asked.
“Someone else would have to die.” Johnathan’s voice wascalm, almost detached.
Finished
“If that’s the case,thenevenif I lived, I wouldn’t have peace ofmind,” the old lady said firmly. “A person needs a conscience. If you throw away basic morality, then you’re no better than an animal.”
Johnathan wasn’tsurprisedby her answer.
Only someone like her couldhaveraised someone as remarkable as Sierra.
Unfortunately, she didn’thavemuch time left.
By the time they reached shore, Sierra was still asleep.
Johnathan carried her all the way to her room, gently setting her down on the bed.
Justashe was about to leave, he felt a tug on his fingers.
He turned back–Sierra was awake, looking at him.
“How long have you been up!”
“Since you were talking to my grandma.”
Hervoice, already naturally husky, was even raspier than usual–probably from holding back so many emotions.
“Johnathan..thankyou”
She smiled, her voice soft. “I’ve never seen grandma and Dickson this happy before. And me… I’m really happy too.”
She didn’t talk about goodbyes. She only spoke about happiness.
Sierra understood what her grandmother wanted.
Her grandmother had worked hard her whole life. These past few days had been the happiest she had ever been. If she wanted to return tothesea after death, Sierra would respect her wishes.
Johnathan pressed his lipstogether,hischest tightening.
For the first time, he felt an ache deep in his heart.
His desire to protect Sierrahadreachedits peak.
That night, they ate the fish they hadcaught,alongwith fresh seafood prepared by the island’s chefs. Laughter filled theair.
Sierra hadn’s expected what wouldhappennext.
Out of nowhere, a deafening boom echoed through the night
Asilver–whitecolumn of lightshotintothesky, splitting the darkness.
Golden sparks cascaded like shattered diamonds, turning into flames that burned briefly before fading.
Before they could disappear, anotherburstof light followed–a brilliant golden explosion, merging with a dazzling display of colors,spreadingacrossthe night sky like apeacock’stail.
One after another, the fireworks illuminatedtheisland.
Sierra was completely entranced.
Besideher,Dicksongasped in excitement.
“Fireworks! Fireworks! So beautiful!”