"This is the airport lobby, bustling with people and even kids around," I reminded him.

Ernest just hummed in acknowledgment, "I know."

"So why do you still want to..." My cheeks flushed with heat.

Ernest stated firmly, "Yes!"

Hearing this resolute response, my first thought was that he must have seen Conrad too. It felt like a wave of jealousy had just hit him.

Maybe it was Ernest's way of making sure Conrad would back off.

With that thought, I braced myself and closed my eyes, my heartbeat racing in anticipation of Ernest's kiss right there in the middle of the crowded airport.

But after a moment, instead of feeling his kiss, my hand felt heavier.

I opened my eyes to see Ernest, then noticed he had placed a small bag in my hand.

"What's this?" I asked, puzzled.

Ernest pursed his lips, gesturing for me to look inside.

Confused, I opened the bag to replace two bank cards, a green booklet, and a red booklet inside.

The green booklet was his discharge papers from the military, and the red one was a donor card. "What does this mean?" I asked him again.

Ernest took out the green booklet, "This is proof of my trials and tribulations, a testament more reliable than any insurance policy. The donor card is to show that my blood runs red, and these cards hold all my savings."

It reminded me of those scenes in novels where the male protagonist hands over all his assets to the female lead as a grand gesture of love. Ernest's move was along the same lines, but he wasn't just offering his material possessions; he was offering his convictions as well.

Especially seeing the donor card, I felt a sudden sourness at the tip of my nose, "Ernest, why are you doing all this?"

"It's a guarantee, more practical than any love insurance," he said, making me wonder if he knew about the love insurance policy Conrad and I had once considered.

But whether he knew or not didn't matter anymore. His willingness to give me everything was enough.

"I'll keep these two, but you should keep the cards," I refused to take his money.

I wasn't after his wealth. If I were, I wouldn't have broken up with Conrad over financial reasons.

But Ernest didn't take the cards back, instead, he looked embarrassed and said, "This probably wouldn't even cover Susie Collins' surgery costs."

I was taken aback for a moment before I laughed, "Oh, so you're hoping I'll chip in, huh?!"

Ernest held my hand, "Licia, I'm sorry."

Yet, I just laughed more brightly than before.

Ernest was puzzled by my laughter, "What's so funny? Do you replace my being broke amusing?"

I couldn't help but laugh even harder.

He was even using phrases like that now.

I nodded, "Yes, adorably broke."

"Licia..."

"Ernest," I calmed down. "Did you know? I used to suspect you had a secret identity."

"A secret identity?!" Ernest looked genuinely confused, "What kind of secret identity?"

"I thought you might be the mysterious big boss of our company, Mr. Collins," I shared my past suspicion.

Ernest looked at me, asking, "And now you don't think so?"

I nodded, "Yeah, considering you can't even afford your sister's surgery, how could you be the big boss investing in Grant Smith?"

Ernest fell silent.

"But that Mr. Collins was weird, treating me so well. Now seeing how Grant is with you, I get it. It was all about recognizing talent, not personal interest," I rambled on.

Still, Ernest remained quiet. I shook his arm. "Why are you so silent?"

"Licia," Ernest spoke softly, "Do you really hate being lied to?"

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