Meanwhile, at the Gray residence...
"What are you two talking about?" Ethan asked, incredulity lacing his voice. "She's still in SID training. How can something like this happen now?"
Owen sighed and leaned back into his chair. "We're not talking about a full wedding right away, son. We just want your marriage to Bella to be registered quietly. We won't announce it yet. When Bella returns from her training camp, we'll plan a proper celebration."
Ethan frowned. "But Dad—"
"I know what you're going to say," Owen cut him off gently. "But listen, after the incident, Luke's entire world shook. The first name he uttered after regaining consciousness—after White—was Bella. When I went to visit him, the first thing he said wasn't even about his health. He asked me to arrange your marriage with Bella. As soon as possible."
Anna, who had been quietly listening, joined in. "Ethan, I used to worry about who you'd end up marrying… but Bella has always been right in front of us. We've seen her grow up. We know her."
Ethan listened to both of them, his expression unreadable. He didn't argue further. After a few moments, he quietly stood up and walked back to his room.
Out on the balcony, under the evening sky, he lit a cigarette and leaned on the railing, deep in thought.
His phone rang.
The screen lit up with a familiar name: Matt.
Ethan answered. "Hey, Matt."
"What's up, bro?" Matthew's cheerful voice crackled through the line.
"My parents are getting me married," Ethan said bluntly.
There was a pause.
"To whom?" Matt chuckled. "Who's the lucky one?"
Ethan exhaled smoke and replied, "Cadet Bella."
There was silence.
For a brief moment, even Matthew forgot how to laugh—like he'd just been hit by a jolt of electricity.
And then he burst into laughter.
"Wait—what? Seriously? That's amazing!" he said between laughs. "You've always liked Bella."
Ethan didn't respond immediately. He stared out into the darkening sky.
"But she likes Noah, right?"
Matt's laughter stopped short.
"Wait… what?"
Ethan repeated, "She likes Noah. At least, that's what I think."
There was a pause on the other end.
"Did she tell you that herself?" Matthew asked, his voice a little more serious now.
"No," Ethan admitted. "She didn't have to. I've seen them. I've felt it.
Matthew cut him off sharply. "There's a big difference between what seems to be happening and what is happening, Mr. Ethan."
Ethan stayed quiet.
"You're going to ruin your happiness over a doubt?" Matt continued. "A maybe? That's not you."
Ethan put out his cigarette in the ashtray beside him, the smoke still swirling around him.
He said nothing.