As the car veered sharply, Addison acted without thinking and grabbed Lance's wrist. "Addison?" Lance's voice reflected his surprise, caught off guard by her sudden grip. Her strength was unexpected, making it hard for him to pull free. Before the car could come to a complete stop, it collided with the guardrail, and the impact hit them like a tidal wave. Addison reacted instantly, pulling Lance down with her as they both tumbled beneath the seats. Before Lance could process what was happening, Addison's trembling hands encircled his neck, shielding him. Near their seats, the thermos cup Virginia had gifted toppled over, hitting the floor with a loud clatter. The lid, which Lance had loosened earlier, came off, and the warm liquid splashed everywhere, soaking Addison. Shielded by her body, Lance only ended up with a few drops on him. He froze, stunned by what had just happened. He hadn't imagined Addison would put herself in harm's way to protect him without a second thought. Looking up at her, Lance took in the girl holding him so tightly. Her eyelashes trembled like delicate butterfly wings, her straight nose and slightly moist lips just inches away. Yet, what held his attention most were her eyes. Those dark eyes, clear and vibrant like crystal, seemed to shimmer with the warmth of spring. Despite her shaking lashes, her gaze was steady, filled with a quiet but powerful determination that sparkled like stars. The sight struck something deep within Lance, like a string inside him snapping unexpectedly. He instantly knew why. Those eyes—Addison's eyes—were identical to the ones he had seen as a child when someone rescued him after he fell into the water at the Daves' banquet. That memory rushed back, leaving Lance breathless. He couldn't tear his gaze from Addison, who was shielding him so protectively. Everything else around them seemed to blur into nothingness. Is this a dream?The scene he had dreamed of countless times was now unfolding before him. Lance barely dared to breathe or move, terrified that any action might break his dream, causing her mesmerizing eyes to vanish and waking him from this impossible moment. Meanwhile, Addison held onto Lance, her mind racing. She had braced herself for disaster. She thought the car would smash through the guardrail, flip over, and cause a chain reaction of crashes with other vehicles. She imagined both of them being thrown from the car like arrows from a bow. But none of that happened. After hitting the guardrail, the car came to a stop, steady and still. "Mr. Johnston! Are you hurt?" The driver, pale with panic, unfastened his seatbelt and rushed out of the car. The thought of something happening to Lance was too terrifying to bear. Flinging open the door, the driver froze at the sight inside. Lance was cradled in Addison's arms, completely motionless. His eyes were locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that made it seem as though she were the most fragile and precious thing in the world.