"What is this? Selina, did you leave a neighbor's birthday gift at the door?"

Turning around to see that familiar box, Selina’s brow furrowed slightly.

She walked over quickly, took the box, and handed it to the butler. She then sent over the Thorne family's address, instructing him to mail it back to the country later.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling grew even more curious, questioning her all the way about who the gift was from.

Seeing she couldn't maintain the lie, Selina had to confess, mentioning the birthday blessings from Mr. and Mrs. Thorne as well.

The car was silent for a while before Mr. Sterling nodded heavily several times.

"Your mother and I have been thinking about how to interact with the Thornes after all this. Although it’s a matter for you younger ones, you are our daughter. It’s only right that we stand firmly by your side. So we've already decided: if you choose to have no further contact with the Thorne family, we will respect your wish. Since we are thousands of miles apart now, it won't be an issue anyway."

"But since you’ve thought it through and only want to draw the line with Julian, we understand your perspective. They are elders after all. We are heartened that you haven't forgotten old sentiments nor taken your anger out on the innocent and have your own judgment."

This was the first time since the truth came to light that the whole family sat together and talked about the matter calmly.

Gaining her parents' support brought a warm current to Selina’s heart.

She leaned into her mother’s embrace and talked about the upcoming itinerary, her tone becoming lighthearted again.

Regaining their good mood, the family headed to the ski resort.

Because she hadn't practiced for a long time, Selina took several tumbles as soon as she hit the slopes.

Although she slowly regained her skill, her legs felt quite painful when she was heading down the mountain.

Upon returning to the hotel and seeing her bruised, purple, and swollen knees, she gasped and immediately searched for nearby pharmacies.

The nearest medical point was over fifty kilometers away.

Looking at the distance and the darkening sky outside, she felt troubled.

After much thought, she finally decided to buy medicine tomorrow and just use some warm eggs to compress the injury tonight.

After changing into clean clothes, Selina limped out of her door, preparing to head to the restaurant.

The elevator happened to stop on her floor.

Hearing the sound, she looked up, and her gaze met a pair of familiar eyes.

It was Julian again.

The moment she saw him, Selina’s face turned cold.

"You're stalking me."

It wasn't a question, but an accusation.

Seeing that she seemed angry, Julian panicked and explained incoherently.

"Selina, I was just... just a bit worried about you..."

"Worried? My parents are right by my side; what is there to worry about? Besides, what right do you have to be worried about me? There's no need to sugarcoat criminal behavior with such ambiguity."

Julian was left speechless.

Seeing her get into the elevator, he hurried to follow.

"It’s my fault, Selina. Please don't be angry. I saw you get injured at the ski resort, so I went specifically to buy medicine. Don't joke around with your own body, okay?"

Hearing this from Julian, Selina only found it laughable.

The scar on her forehead from the car accident was still clearly visible; the wound on her arm from the falling chandelier was ten centimeters long; the calluses on her heels from being rubbed bloody by over a hundred pairs of high heels had formed long ago.

Because of him, she had suffered so many injuries, yet he hadn't even said a single word of comfort, remaining consistently indifferent.

Now, she had only suffered a minor injury that hadn't even bled, and he was here feigning concern and putting on a show of deep affection.

So, she didn't even look at the bag he handed over. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she walked straight out.

Her attitude of complete disregard caused a pang in Julian’s chest.

But he didn't want to give up just like that and followed her closely.

Seeing her ask for a few eggs, he guessed her intention, and his tone became more urgent.

"Selina, I bought medicine. Why won't you just accept my kindness? Do you have to be so stubborn with me?"

Selina gave a light laugh, her gaze incredibly firm.

"Stubborn? We have no relationship to begin with; why would I be stubborn with you? I simply have no desire to have any interaction with you at all."

Chapter 23

Julian’s heart turned completely cold within those words.

Watching her leave with his own eyes, his hands slumped to his sides.

His exhausted eyes slowly reddened as tears began to well up.

A deep sense of powerlessness and despair surged into his heart, making his breathing turn ragged and sharp.

Julian sat alone in a corner for a long time.

The restaurant was closing, and a waiter came over to remind him.

Only then did he finally regain his senses. He handed over the bag in his hand, pleading with the waiter for a favor.

Although the warm eggs had reduced the swelling, they still couldn't alleviate the pain.

Selina had been so preoccupied with her injury that she hadn't even eaten dinner.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling specifically brought over a steak for her. Seeing the wound on her leg, they were both heartbroken.

Just then, a waiter came to deliver towels, and they took the opportunity to ask for help.

Upon hearing that the hotel had medicine available for 100 Euros, they immediately purchased a set.

A moment later, the waiter delivered the medicine.

Looking at the unopened medicine box, Selina couldn't help but feel a bit strange.

She had asked the cleaning lady earlier that afternoon, and she was told the hotel didn't sell any medication.

How could the story change so completely just two hours later with a different person?

She had her doubts and wanted to ask more, but Mr. Sterling was already applying the ointment for her.

"Selina, we've already paid for it. Don't worry about where it came from; let's just treat your injury first."

"Exactly. You took such a fall; we don't even know if you can walk tomorrow. How about we rest for two days before heading to Iceland?"

Selina’s slight concern was quickly dispelled by their words.

After a night of rest, though there was still some bruising on her leg, the pain was gone.

The family headed to Iceland according to their original plan.

Reunited with her long-lost aunt, Selina was overjoyed, and the two of them were practically inseparable.

Under the brilliant aurora, she raised her hand and made her twenty-third birthday wish.

"I hope in the new year I can see a wider world, meet more interesting people, and that everyone around me stays healthy and safe."

Hearing these conventional wishes, her aunt chuckled, nudging her with an elbow and teasing her in a low voice.

"Is that all? Aren't you going to wish for a handsome guy and a passionate romance for yourself?"

Selina knew her aunt was joking. Just as she was about to retort, her eyes caught a familiar figure.

Ten meters away, Julian stood in the crowd, gazing at her without blinking.

Her aunt followed her gaze, her eyes lighting up as she cheered with a smile.

"I think that handsome guy over there looks pretty good. Why don't you give it a try?"

Julian heard those words as well. He immediately became tense and anxious, his awkward expression carrying a faint trace of hope.

Selina looked away, her voice clearer and more sober than ever.

"There is no such possibility, Auntie."

Her aunt, unaware of the entanglement between them, looked surprised.

"So certain? From your tone, you sound like you know him—like an ex-boyfriend you’ve sworn never to see again."

The unintended joke hit the truth perfectly.

But after experiencing so much and having so much time pass, Selina had indeed completely moved on.

So when discussing these old matters again, her heart was open and entirely unburdened.

"We were never going to have any further contact anyway, Auntie."

Hearing her say this with a smile, Julian felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart, and warm moisture welled up in his eyes.

Everyone around them was taking photos and making wishes, yet he remained utterly alone.

He looked up at the brilliant aurora dancing across the sky, and long-buried memories flooded his mind.

On his eighteenth birthday, he had made a wish.

In this life, he wanted to climb the highest mountains, dive into the deepest seas, skydive from the clouds, and see the most romantic aurora.

Selina had stood right beside him; for every sentence he spoke, she had repeated it like an echo.

Now, they were finally standing beneath the aurora.