Inside, the room was deathly still. Outside, the wind howled and snow whirled past the windows.

    After a long silence, Sven finally said, "If you''re willing, we can break up."

    I knew it...

    Charlotte balled her fists, bitterness on her face. "What do you mean, if I''m willing, we break up? And if I''m not?"

    Sven fell silent again.

    Charlotte sniffed, forcing back her tears so she wouldn''t embarrass herself.

    "If you want to dump me, at least give me a decent reason. You run home to fix

    something and expect me to roll over? Isn''t that a little too easy?"

    Her words left Sven speechless; once more he said nothing.

    His silence only stoked her anger.

    Charlotte stood, stalked over, and red at him. "Say something!"

    Confronted with her demand, Sven finally spoke.

    "If you don''t want to break up, then you''ll have to wait for me for a while."

    Charlotte''s confusion deepened. “Why? What exactly are you going to do, and how long is ''a while''?"

    Her chest felt tight; she needed answers now.

    "What''s happening at home can''t be fixed overnight. I don''t know when it''ll be resolved, so I can''t name a date. If you won''t wait, we''ll break up. I don''t want to hold you back," Sven said, enunciating each word.

    Charlotte''s eyes were already red.

    "That''s rich. When we first started dating, you never said that. We''ve been together so long, and suddenly you don''t want to ''hold me back.""

    Her fists were so tight her nails cut her palms until it bled.

    "I''m sorry." Faced with her hurt, Sven truly didn''t know what else to say.

    Fighting the urge to cry, she turned away. “Save your apology. I''ll wait for you to finish whatever it is ande back."

    She really couldn''t bear to lose him.

    She believed she might never meet another man like Sven; if they broke up, she would regret it forever.

    Yet if he deceived her and left her waiting in vain, there was nothing she could do. While these thoughts battled in her mind, Sven suddenly pulled her into his arms.

    "All right, wait for me toe home."

    The words sounded like a promise.

    "Mm." Charlotte nodded quickly. "After you leave, you have to keep in touch with me, okay?"

    "I will."

    Meanwhile, in another city, Magnus pushed himself at work every single day, determined to earn money as fast as possible.

    He wired part of his wages to Heather. "Granny, I''m not making much yet, so this is all I can send."

    Heather was stunned but deeply moved.

    "My swson, you really have up-sending money to y granny. Take good care of y

    grown

    stop worrying about met

    Magnus agreed, then asked, "Granny, did you apologize to Cecilia like I asked you to?"

    At the mention of an apology, Heather began to stammer, unable to get a single word out.

    Magnus knew his granny all too well; he was certain she hadn''t done what he''d asked of her.

    "Granny, I used to be selfish and only

    knew how to take. Now, I

    understand a man has to rely

    himself and shoulder his

    responsibilities. Please, listen to me, and stop making trouble for Cecilia."

    Heather, moved by her grandson''s earnest words, dared not refuse. All right,

    know my limits." Content

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