Kristina could not believe her ears. Did the seventeen-year-old boy in front of her just tell her he wanted to marry her?

She shook her head and tried to remember a time when she could have possibly given him the wrong hint. She could not be with someone six years younger than she was. It was a terrible idea.

After that day, Kristina started avoiding Albert. She could not entertain him and his unrealistic thoughts. After a while, she decided to go abroad to study and did not return until three years later.

For three years, Albert did not interfere with Kristina's life. Instead, he kept working hard, and as a result, he was able to seize control of the Song Group, all while silently waiting for Kristina to come back.

Kristina's life abroad had also been very peaceful, but occasionally, she would think about Noah and Albert. She missed them very much the way a sister missed her brothers.

During the past three years, Kristina had a pen pal named George, a student of L University. The two of them contacted each other through e-mail and had good talks.

Kristina shared some of her life experience abroad to George, and George also shared whatever went on in Lexingport City. She shared a lot of things with him while entirely avoiding anything related to the Song, Shi, and Ye families.

Anyway, George's e-mails to her had been questions about trivial things like the food she was eating and the place she was living in. Once in a while,

e.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" he asked.

Kristina simply raised her head and looked at him with guilt in her eyes. He smiled weakly and said, "Please don't cry. I'm fine."

Kristina shook her head. The mist in her eyes made her unable to see Albert's exhausted face clearly.

She knew what was going on.

She could have made Albert stop, but she did not. Seeing him vomiting in the men's room just now struck a painful cord in her heart.

"Why are you doing this, Albert? Why are you being so kind to me?"

Kristina's tears were like throwing knives landing on Albert's heart. He did not think he had ever experienced anything more painful than seeing the love of his life weep.

"Because I love you," he breathed. It felt so good finally saying it out loud. Those words had been weighing on his chest for a long time. He wanted to put his arms around her and hold her close, but at the same time, he was terrified that she would turn around and walk away just like she did three years ago.

He had never held any woman, and no woman had ever held him.

But this time, Albert decided he would try and hold Kristina.

He walked closer, wrapped his arms around her shoulder, and pressed her against his chest.

He did not hold her too tightly for fear of hurting her.

But at the same time, he was afraid that she would slip away if he did not hold her tightly enough.

He whispered in her ear, "I've always loved you, Kristina."