### **Ethan's Quiet Relief**
After finishing work, Ethan returned home.
His parents informed him that Evelyn had visited and had just left.
Ethan sighed with relief. *If Evelyn hadn't come, they wouldn't have let me go today. Thank you for remembering Evelyn —I thought you had forgotten.*
### **Evelyn's Concern for Her Mother**
At Evelyn's restaurant, she watched as her mother struggled to manage everything on her own.
"Mom, this is really difficult for me," Evelyn said. "I see you doing all the work alone."
Her mother smiled gently. "Oh, we can hire someone to help. But if we do, we'll have to pay them. That's why you and your brother are helping me—we can manage it."
Evelyn nodded but couldn't shake her growing thoughts.
### **Evelyn's Decision Takes Shape**
The next morning at the office, Evelyn sat at her desk, waiting for Ethan's arrival.
Ivy greeted her cheerfully, "Good morning, Evelyn!"
But Evelyn didn't respond—lost in deep thought.
Ivy shook her gently. "Hey, Evelyn! Good morning."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Evelyn replied, "Oh—good morning."
Ivy studied her curiously. "What are you thinking about so seriously?"
Evelyn hesitated. "It's nothing, Ivy. I need to tell Ethan sir something important, but I don't know how he'll take it. That's what I'm thinking about."
Ivy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Hey, Super Evelyn! Are you finally going to confess your love to him? Very good. What will he say? He's going to tell you, 'I love you too!'"
Evelyn shook her head. "Why are you like this, Ivy? That's not it."
Just then, Ethan arrived and walked to his office. Evelyn followed him, knocking on his door before entering.
### **Evelyn's Resignation**
Ethan looked at her expectantly. "Tell me, Evelyn."
She hesitated. "Sir, I need to ask you something."
"Whatever it is, just tell me," Ethan encouraged.
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn said, "Sir, I have decided to resign from my job."
Ethan was taken aback, his expression tense. "What did you say? I don't understand. Please say it again—clearly."
Evelyn repeated gently, "Sir, I have decided to resign."
Ethan's brows furrowed. "Why? What's the reason? Is something wrong here? If there's an issue, we can discuss it, and I'll fix it."
Evelyn shook her head. "Sir, I have no problems here. Actually, I feel very comfortable with everyone."
Ethan frowned. "Then why are you resigning?"
She sighed. "Sir, my mother is struggling alone in the restaurant. I feel like I should go and take care of her."
Ethan challenged, "But why quit your job? You can hire the right people to help her. Didn't you once tell me that your salary is very important for your family?"
Evelyn nodded. "Yes, sir, that's true. But outsiders won't take care of our restaurant the way we do. As you said, without my salary, we'll suffer—but only for a short while. Once we develop the restaurant, everything will be fine."
Ethan started to protest. "That's not—"
Evelyn interrupted sadly, "Sir, please don't ask me to stay. Because I can never refuse your words. You were the one who said you had faith in me—that I would run my father's restaurant well and become successful. That's why I'm leaving. Please accept it and send me off with your best wishes."
### **Ethan's Emotional Farewell**
Ethan turned away, wiping his eyes. After composing himself, he spoke softly, "I'm sorry, Evelyn. I was only thinking about my side. Okay… you can go. I know you will definitely succeed—I'll be waiting for that day. But I have one condition.
"When you become successful, you must come back here and work as my PA. Until then, that position will remain vacant—just for you. If you agree to this, then I accept your resignation."
Evelyn smiled through her tears. "Thank you so much, sir. I couldn't sleep all night thinking about what you would say. Where can I ever find a boss like you?
"I will develop my business and definitely come back as your PA. Sir, I am leaving now."
She turned and left his room.
### **Heartbreak and Farewells**
As soon as Evelyn stepped out, Ethan sat down and silently cried—knowing that from now on, he wouldn't see Evelyn every day or speak to her as freely.
Evelyn informed Ivy and the rest of the office about her decision. Everyone felt saddened by her departure, and Ivy couldn't hold back her tears.
Although Evelyn had bravely made the decision to leave, her resolve faltered when she saw Ethan crying in his office. She struggled to hold herself together but managed to step outside.
However, seeing Ivy and the others in tears finally broke her down, and she sobbed.
With a heavy heart, Evelyn left the office—walking away from the place that had meant so much to her.
---
### **Evelyn's Emotional Return Home**
When Evelyn arrived home, she broke down in tears as she recounted everything to her mother.
Her mother gently consoled her, stroking her hair. "Don't worry, dear. You made this decision for yourself. If you choose a path, you must stick to it. It will be difficult at first, but with time, everything will heal."
Evelyn nodded, wiping her tears, but deep down, her heart still ached.
### **Ethan's Call to Liam**
At the same time, Ethan, unable to hold back his emotions, called Liam and shared everything that had happened.
Liam listened carefully, then teased him lightly, "Ethan, what's this crying like a baby? Didn't you realize how much you loved Evelyn?"
Ethan, still feeling overwhelmed, admitted, "I didn't know I loved her this much until she said she was resigning. Now, I can't see her anymore, can't even talk to her, and it's killing me."
### **Liam's Comforting Words**
Liam sighed. "Okay, stop crying. You've suffered through all this just to fulfill her dreams. You yourself shouldn't become an obstacle to that. This separation is also for the good. Distance will help you understand your feelings even more. Long-distance love will make you cherish her even more."
Ethan took a deep breath, slowly calming down as Liam's words sank in.
### **Memories and Longing**
After the call, Ethan found himself reflecting on all the moments he had shared with Evelyn—from the first time he met her until now. Every memory replayed in his mind, making the longing even stronger.
Meanwhile, Evelyn was fully immersed in bringing her restaurant back to life, working tirelessly to restore it, little by little.
### **The Unspoken Words**
Ethan often thought about calling Evelyn, just to hear her voice. But he knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to hold back his emotions—he would tell her he missed her, and he might even disturb her efforts. So, he refrained from calling.
Evelyn, on the other hand, still checked in occasionally, calling Ethan's parents to see how they were doing. Whenever she spoke to Ethan, she kept their conversations short—afraid that if she lingered too long, she would break down, just like him, and admit how much she missed him too.
### **Will Distance Bring Them Closer?**
Though they were apart, their hearts still gravitated toward each other. The question remained—would time and distance bring them closer in the end?
---
### **Between Distance and Longing**
Evelyn walked into Ethan's office, her heart pounding. She had come to see Ivy and her colleagues, to catch up on old times. But she avoided Ethan—afraid that seeing him would break both of them. The longing they had buried would spill over, and neither would be able to hold it back.
Ethan, meanwhile, ran his business with remarkable success. His company flourished, earning accolades and recognition. But no amount of success could fill the void that Evelyn had left. Every day, he missed her—her voice, her presence, the way she smiled at him like no one else did.
One evening, Isla called. It was just a casual conversation, nothing unusual. But Ethan, overwhelmed, let his emotions pour out.
*"Isla, I miss Evelyn more than I ever thought possible. Every day, I wish I could see her. But I know I shouldn't. I know this distance is what she wanted, but it's breaking me."*
Isla listened patiently, her voice filled with understanding.
*"Ethan, I know it's hard. But you've been strong all this time. Don't let this pain consume you. Time will bring clarity—just hold on."*
Her words comforted him, even if they didn't erase the ache.
Days later, Evelyn came across a newspaper article featuring Ethan. His name, his achievements—it was all there. She stared at his picture for a moment longer than she should have, feeling a wave of pride.
Unable to hold back, she sent him a message.
*"Congratulations, sir. I'm very proud and happy for you."*
Ethan saw her message and felt his heart leap. A thousand emotions rushed through him—joy, love, longing. He typed:
*"Thank you very much, Evelyn. I miss you so much. I want to see you now. I can't take this anymore."*
But then, hesitation crept in. He erased the words and sent only:
*"Thank you so much, Evelyn."*
Still, just seeing her message made his day. Even in silence, even in restraint—their love remained.
---
Endless Love continues...