ath.

＂Sukie，＂　he　said　softly，　sitting　beside　her.　＂I，ve　been　thinking.＂

She　turned　to　him，　her　eyes　searching　his.　＂About　what?＂

＂About　us.　About　our　future.＂　He　took　her　hand　in　his，　his　touch　warm　and　reassuring.　＂We　can，t　keep　hiding　our　feelings.　It，s　not　fair　to　either　of　us.＂

Sukie　nodded，　her　heart　aching　with　the　weight　of　their　unspoken　love.　＂But　what　can　we　do?　If　people　find　out...＂

＂We，ll　deal　with　it，＂　he　said　firmly.　＂Together.　I，ve　made　arrangements　to　leave　this　place.　We　can　start　over　somewhere　new，　where　no　one　knows　us.＂

Her　eyes　widened　in　surprise.　＂You　mean...　leave　everything　behind?＂

He　nodded.　＂Yes.　It，s　the　only　way　we　can　truly　be　together.　But　we　have　to　act　fast.　Xie　Tianxie　is　becoming　more　suspicious，　and　it，s　only　a　matter　of　time　before　he　makes　his　move.＂

Tears　filled　Sukie，s　eyes　as　she　realized　the　magnitude　of　what　he　was　proposing.　＂I　don，t　want　to　lose　you，　Fengling.　But　I　don，t　want　to　put　our　family　in　danger　either.＂

He　squeezed　her　hand，　his　eyes　filled　with　determination.　＂Our　family　will　be　safe.　I，ve　made　sure　of　it.　But　you　and　I...　we　deserve　a　chance　at　happiness.＂

She　took　a　deep　breath，　her　heart　pounding　with　a　mix　of　fear　and　hope.　＂When　do　we　leave?＂

＂Tomorrow　night，＂　he　said　softly.　＂I，ll　have　everything　ready.　All　you　need　to　do　is　trust　me.＂