"Mr. Lee!" Lucas burst in, the heavy scent of blood hitting him.
He knew the impact of Miss Nightingale's tragedy on Phoenix was significant, but he never imagined Phoenix would lose all will to live, choosing to punish himself after avenging those who wronged Miss Nightingale.
Driven by love, a bittersweet affliction, Phoenix was willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, as reparation.
Revived from the brink in the ICU, Phoenix woke up two days later.
Opening his eyes briefly, he calmly removed the needles from his hand and other tubes attached to his body.
Lucas, waiting outside, rushed in at the commotion.
"Mr. Lee! Don't do this…" Having worked with Phoenix for years and owing him a debt of gratitude, Lucas's heart ached seeing him this way. "Miss Nightingale adored you; she wouldn't want to see you like this. Mr. Lee, please don't treat yourself this way."
Phoenix was oblivious. "She liked me? Yes, Serena liked me so much, yet I was blind, misunderstanding and hurting her. I deserve death! She left alone in sea water, the water so cold, she must have suffered. I should have gone after her sooner…"
"She must have been terrified; I should have been there with her…"
He deserved death long ago!
Drinking to excess, he now understood the torment in his gut.
Phoenix couldn't fathom how Serena survived after he forced her out that night. His princess, raised as the apple of the eye of the Nightingale family, would cry over a mere scratch.
Now, in such agony, she hadn't uttered a sound.
"Mr. Lee, calm down!" Lucas intervened.
Doctors entered, administering a sedative.
Phoenix slipped back into sleep.
Before drifting off, a self-mocking smile tugged at his lips. "I forgot... feelings fade. After how I treated her, she wouldn't want to see me again. Seeing me like this, she must be relieved, leaving without a backward glance, not even sparing me a look."
"Serena, when she's ruthless, is colder than anyone."
From her silent departure overseas to her reluctant plea for help when the Nightingales fell, Phoenix should have realized her inherent pride.
Even fallen, destitute, and vilified, she maintained her dignity.
He alone had trampled upon that pride.
Awakening again, Phoenix no longer entertained suicidal thoughts but was aimless, awaiting death as his sole path.
Lucas, in desperation, used Serena to stir Phoenix. "Mr. Lee, don't blame yourself. Miss Nightingale's ordeal originated with Miss Monahan. If she knew the truth, she would forgive you."
Only Serena's name sparked a reaction in Phoenix's eyes.
Despite Lucas's words, Phoenix remained silent. Lucas sighed, preparing to leave, when Phoenix unexpectedly spoke, "She wouldn't."
Lucas froze, not comprehending what he said.
Phoenix closed his eyes, defeated. "She won't forgive me."
Never.
And his Serena, he could never see her again, so what forgiveness was there to speak of?
