A man in a black suit approached and whispered something into Harry's ear. Harry nodded and took Ana's hand. "Let's go."
As they walked through the crowd, Ana's heart pounded. Music played in the background. Children laughed. Lights flashed from the rides and stalls.
Then she saw them.
Not far ahead, her family stood together.
Julia, her younger sister, looked healthier than she'd ever seen her, practically glowing with energy as she tugged Mrs Lyle and Adonis from one food stand to another. Ana's tears flowed freely as she watched little Julia laugh and stuff her face with sweet cotton candy.
Born with a congenital heart condition, Julia had always been limited in what she could eat. Every year, she would make a wish to be able to enjoy Ferry Night fully. Their family of four would come here every night on this day to spend quality time together as one happy family.
This year, had been no different too except Ana wasn't with them.
"Little glutton," Ana whispered between tears.
She took a step forward, aching to run into their arms.
But a gentle tug on her hand stopped her. She turned to see Harry shaking his head softly.
She couldn't go to them. Not now. Not yet.
Still, seeing them happy and healthy filled her heart with peace.
Harry turned her toward him again and wiped her tears. "Don't cry anymore. You look ugly when you cry," he teased.
"Says who?" Ana sniffled, scowling. "I'm the most beautiful."
It was a response she usually gave Adonis, and the realization made her blush. She looked away, embarrassed.
Harry chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "Beautiful or ugly," he whispered into her ear, "I still like you."
Ana laughed, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.
Wearing masks and hats as disguises, they melted into the crowd. For the first time in his life, Harry experienced the joy of carefree fun. They shared cotton candy, its sugary sweetness sticking to their lips. Harry teased her when it stained her nose, only to lean in and kiss it away.
They played ring toss, where Ana won a small stuffed penguin and gave it to Harry, declaring, "A reminder that even cold-hearted CEOs need love."
He laughed, a real, full laugh that Ana had never heard before. He also won a big and fluffy teddy bear for her.
They took silly photo booth pictures in ridiculous costumes: a pirate and a princess, a cowboy and a nurse. Harry groaned at the outfits but couldn't stop smiling at her giggles.
They rode the merry-go-round, then the Ferris wheel, where Harry finally confessed, "This… this is all new to me."
Ana looked at him, surprised. "You've never been to an amusement park?"
He shook his head, watching the spinning lights below. "No. I always thought they were noisy and pointless. But with you... I get it now."
Ana leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Sometimes, joy lives in the little things."
Meanwhile, at a bench near the lantern-lit plaza, Julia nibbled on a skewer of grilled meat but her gaze wandered.
"Mama," she said softly. "Do you think Ana would've come if she knew we were here?"
Mrs Lyle's heart clenched. She cupped Julia's cheek gently. "Ana's always with us… right here," she said, pressing a hand over Julia's chest.
Adonis added, "She's probably watching us right now and laughing at how messy your face is."
Julia laughed a little, then sniffled. "I wish she was here."
Mrs Lyle pulled both children into her arms. "Me too," she whispered, hiding the pain in her chest.
Adonis looked away, his throat tight. The emptiness Ana left behind still lingered, even in this moment of joy.
Back at the carousel, Harry held Ana close as they took one last ride. Her laughter rang out like bells, and he realized this was his happiest night in years. Perhaps his entire life.
For the first time, Harry wasn't thinking about deals, power, or control. Just a girl with curls, laughter, and a heart big enough to make him believe in love.
And for Ana, tonight wasn't just a surprise or a break from isolation, it was a reminder of who she was, where she came from, and who she was becoming.
Together, beneath the night sky, they both discovered something they never knew they needed.
Home.
Harry discovered something he hadn't known he was missing: happiness; pure, unfiltered, simple happiness shared with someone you love.
And he loved every second of it.
Meanwhile…
Adonis stood near a balloon stall, pretending to be absorbed in his phone. In reality, his eyes followed Julia as she laughed and danced around a cotton candy cart, pulling Mrs. Lyle along behind her.
Julia looked so alive. So happy.
Yet Adonis felt the growing weight in his chest. Every time the little girl called out "Mama!" or reached for Mrs. Lyle's hand, he felt the sting of Ana's absence like a bruise that wouldn't fade.
His fists clenched in his pockets.
He was happy Julia had recovered. Truly. But he hated the silence Ana had left behind. He hated waking up and not hearing her teasing him in the morning, or her scolding him for eating junk food. He hated that she had disappeared with nothing more than a note, and yet somehow, he missed her more each day.
"Do you think Ana would've laughed at this pink mess?" Julia giggled, licking cotton candy off her nose.
Mrs Lyle laughed, brushing her hair back. "She would've taken a photo and teased you about it for a month."
Adonis smiled faintly, then looked away again.
Ana, where are you? he thought silently. I don't knowhowmuch longer we can pretend we're okay without you.
As the night deepened and the festive glow of the amusement park shimmered like magic, Adonis found himself standing alone near the photo booth, holding a balloon Julia had insisted he win for her.
His eyes scanned the crowd lazily until something made his breath hitch.
A flash of yellow.
That floral dress.
His heart jumped.
There, just ahead, walking beside a tall man in casual wear, her curly hair bouncing gently under the glow of the string lights.
Ana?
"Ana?" he called instinctively.
She turned her head slightly.
Adoni's heart dropped to his stomach.
It was her.
Before he could think, his legs moved on their own. He weaved through the crowd, pushing past people with hurried apologies. "Ana! Ana, wait!"
But the crowd was thick, alive with laughter and movement. Children darted past him, couples stopped mid-walk to take selfies. The yellow dress disappeared between two stalls.
He ran faster, ignoring the stitch forming in his side.
When he reached the spot but she was gone.
Vanished like a dream.
Breathing hard, Adonis spun around, scanning every face.
Nothing.
Not even a trace.
He stood there for a long while, frozen in place, his heart pounding in his ears.
"Am I… seeing things?" he whispered to himself.
The balloon slipped from his hand, floating gently into the night sky.