Julia never expected that this time, the result of the hypnosis would play out like this.
"Should we go home now?" The car window rolled down, and Evan poked his head out, flashing Serena a gentle smile. "Serena, welcome home."
Julia's anxious gaze darted between them, watching Serena break into a surprised smile. "Evan? Long time no see."
Julia wasn't sure how her memories stood at the moment, but the fact that she could smile like this was already the outcome she had been praying for years.
Serena nearly burst into tears of joy. Evan stepped out of the car, walked over, and tousled her hair, his voice raspy. "Silly girl."
"I thought you were still angry with me." Serena wiped her eyes, stepping back as Phoenix encircled her slender waist.
She lifted her gaze, meeting Phoenix's affectionate black eyes.
Like a whirlpool, they threatened to draw her in.
Those eyes conveyed too many complicated emotions, too deep for Serena to decipher. She wouldn't know how difficult the past six months, and indeed the years she was away, had been for him.
Thankfully, she was alive.
How fortunate he was that fate allowed her to forget her hatred and live.
She still loved him, hadn't forgotten him.
Julia surmised that Serena's memories likely remained anchored in the period before she left the country, but...how to explain the memory of Mrs. Nightingale's death.
She observed quietly.
At that moment, Serena lowered her eyes, her expression melancholic. "It's so nice that you're both here... It's just a shame that I never thought Amelia could be so ruthless, making my mother..."
She felt a headache coming on and pressed her temples, her complexion not looking good.
Julia noticed something was off with Serena and quickly stepped forward, taking out a pill from her pocket for Serena to swallow, her soothing voice calming, "Don't think about it, don't think about it... We're all here."
Behind her, both Evan and Phoenix tensed.
"Open the car door," Julia instructed, supporting Serena towards the car.
The two quickly opened the door, tidied up inside, and found a soft pillow.
"What's wrong?" Phoenix frowned, asking.
Julia glanced at him but didn't answer.
Soon, Serena regained consciousness, her eyes watery and confused as she looked at them.
"W-What happened?"
Phoenix didn't dare approach, afraid that remembering the miserable might upset her. "Serena, are you alright?"
The pill in her mouth was sweet, and every time Julia said it was due to low blood sugar that she fainted.
Her displeased look worried Julia. "Serena, where should we go?"
Julia feared she might remember something. If anything unexpected happened, staying in the apartment meant she could treat her in time. She wasn't at ease with Serena returning to the old mansion with Phoenix, even though in another sense, that could also be a form of healing.
Still, she wasn't willing to take the risk.
"I've made everyone worry..." Serena looked guilty, thinking for a moment before gripping Julia's hand tightly. "I-I want to go home with Phoenix."
"Alright," Julia never refused her.
Everyone settled in, Phoenix took the wheel, and compared to last night's frenzy, Evan wondered if this composed driver was really Phoenix.
Through the rearview mirror, Phoenix spoke coolly, "Serena hasn't taken good care of herself outside. Now that she's back, we should properly nurture her."
His face showed little emotion, his voice light, betraying no happiness or joy. Only the veins popping on the back of his hands, gripping the steering wheel, hinted at the man's feelings—was it the overwhelming joy of regaining what was lost, the fear that this might be a fleeting dream, or the anxiety of potentially losing her again?
His gaze softened as he watched the person in the backseat lean her head to sleep.
In the meantime, he silently set his phone to silent mode, tossed it aside, and paid it no further attention.
Since Phoenix bought the Nightingale family's old mansion, several of the old staff remained, and everything inside was just as before. Apart from the absence of the family, everything else seemed unchanged.
The car stopped smoothly, and before Julia could react, Phoenix had already opened the back door.
"Let me," he said, his hands touching Serena's shoulders, but he didn't proceed further.
Julia looked at Phoenix, nodding slightly.
Relieved, he gently picked her up, his eyes filled with unspeakable tenderness. He moved cautiously, even holding his breath.
Carrying her again after half a year, his mindset was entirely different.
It was once love mixed with hate, but now, with so much in between, he dared not harbor any anger.
Feeling a familiar presence, the person in his arms stiffened. Phoenix froze, his brows furrowing with concern.
The business legend had never shown such caution and worry before anybody.
After a moment, the young lady buried her face in his chest, finding a comfortable spot and regulating her breathing again, her fingers still clutching his jacket corner. Phoenix, who always cared about his appearance, rarely had wrinkles on his suit.
Despite this, his eyes were filled with a gentle daze, showing no displeasure.
Stepping forward, Phoenix frowned slightly. His girl was far too thin.
Upon hearing the commotion outside, the Nightingale family's servants emerged. Not many stayed after the family's downfall. Mary, who watched Serena grow up, recognized her instantly, her old eyes brimming with tears, unable to utter a word.
Behind her, Edward supported Mary, his own eyes misty. The others standing there were silent, their expressions complicated, speaking volumes without words.
Phoenix nodded, expertly carrying Serena into the house.
The room was on the second floor, left side. He had visited the Nightingales often since childhood. After the incident, he came less frequently, but the decor remained much the same. However, her belongings were fewer, and with years abroad without adding new clothes or decorations, it was simple and plain.
The bedding was changed weekly. Without the masters, the mansion lacked warmth. Mary tirelessly cleaned her room daily and changed the sheets and covers weekly.
Perhaps freshly washed and sun-dried yesterday, the quilt was warm and infused with the scent of sunlight. Serena slept soundly, and Julia, following behind, relaxed visibly, sighing softly—it was rare for her to sleep so peacefully.
After settling her in, Phoenix prepared to leave, but his sleeve was tightly grab by her.
He paused, then a faint smile bloomed on his lips, his other hand's fingertips gently smoothing the creases on her forehead.
"Sleep, I'm here with you."
Lucas had tried contacting Phoenix to no avail and reluctantly reached out to Evan, rushing to the Nightingale family's old mansion.
For the past six months, apart from the first month of despair and self-torture, Mr. Lee had immersed himself in work to pass the days.
For Phoenix to skip work on a Monday, something significant must have happened.
Arriving and standing at the back of the crowd, Lucas realized it was the first time Phoenix had smiled like this since Serena left the country.
It was a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart, as the frost had melted.
