While Phoenix wasn't paying attention, Serena suddenly snatched his phone and casually scrolled through the gallery, filled with years of her candid shots, a faint smile playing on her lips.
As she reached a certain period in the photos, Phoenix's gaze darkened momentarily before relaxing—he was relieved that Serena scrolled quickly past the images from half a year ago without much scrutiny.
With too many pictures, nearly all of which were of her, Serena grew impatient and accidentally tapped the home button, revealing Phoenix's phone's homepage where the wallpaper was also of her.
Serena laughed, leaning on Phoenix's shoulder, just like she used to, and asked, "Is the lock screen also of me?"
Phoenix confirmed with a soft "Mm," adding, "The password is your birthday. Try it."
Serena tested it and found it to be true.
Grinning, she reopened Phoenix's phone, noting its sparse and pitifully monotonous collection of apps.
The 99+ notifications on WeChat piqued her interest, prompting her to inquire, "Can I take a look?"
Phoenix returned a smirk. "Go ahead."
His following words delighted Serena even more. "You're Mrs. Lee now; you can check up on me anytime you want."
"Mrs. Lee? Mr. Lee hasn't married me yet. Besides, Mr. Lee taking so many photos of me makes me think you're a bit of a stalker," Serena teased as she browsed Phoenix's phone, the screen filled with messages:
"Mr. Lee, did you get hacked?"
"Mr. Lee, congratulations! Can we attend the wedding?"
"Congratulations, Mr. Lee, on being single no more!!!"
"I want to see sister-in-law's beautiful photos!"
...
Amidst the odd messages in Phoenix's inbox, Serena was engrossed when a large hand swooped in and reclaimed the phone in her hands.
She was about to snatch it back when Phoenix spoke slowly, ignoring her previous comment. "If you wish, we can get our marriage certificate anytime. You are Mrs. Lee. If you don't marry me, I won't marry anyone else in this lifetime."
Serena froze for a moment before embracing Phoenix tightly.
"Darling, am I dreaming?"
For how long had she fantasized, since her youth, about marrying Phoenix? She had waited so long that hearing these words now, her face blossomed into a smile, and her arms around him tightened.
"No," Phoenix replied.
In their tender moment, an untimely sound emerged from Serena's stomach.
She awkwardly grinned and instinctively covered his mouth.
Warm breath brushed against her palm, and Serena hesitated, wanting to retract her hand but finding it held fast by Phoenix.
His eyes deepened, his breaths heavier, and he chuckled before pulling Serena into his embrace. "Serena..."
She was still the same.
Always a willful little girl. What had he done to push his young lady to such lengths?
"Let's go downstairs for dinner," Serena suggested, not understanding why Phoenix suddenly became distant. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but an inexplicable resistance rose within her.
This wasn't like her.
But delving deeper into these thoughts only led to a headache.
She decided not to think about it, allowing Phoenix to hold her as her voice softened.
"Okay," Phoenix said, his tone consistently gentle, his doting on her now more profound than ever.
Serena smiled warmly, and they descended the stairs without further contemplation.
Dinner was the liveliest the Nightingale mansion had seen in years. Although things had changed, the elderly members of the Nightingale family didn't look at Phoenix as they used to. Still, Julia had informed them earlier, preventing any confrontations, especially considering Phoenix had handled the family's mess later on.
The meal proceeded relatively smoothly.
And during this dinner, Julia observed Serena smile more than she had ever seen.
She lowered her head, melancholic.
Accompanying this woman for so long, she had never seen Serena like this.
She had seen Serena before the hypnosis—always composed, quiet, keeping everything to herself, shouldering every burden alone. After the hypnosis, while Serena relied on her more, she didn't smile much, finding little joy.
But seeing her friend this happy, Julia couldn't help but smile too.
If this self-deception could keep her happy, it might not be a bad path.
After all, life must go on.
If she remembered, Julia knew she couldn't stop it this time.
Serena, having slept too long in the afternoon, found Julia pondering these thoughts.
"Julia, do you think Phoenix is serious?" The two women sat on a blanket on the balcony, gazing at the stars, the atmosphere serene.
Julia glanced at her and replied tersely, "Whether he's sincere or not, what does it have to do with me? You know I have feeling for you you. As a rival in love, of course, I'd badmouth him. How can his love be more genuine than mine?"
Serena laughed. "Julia, don't joke. I'm asking seriously."
Julia jestingly responded, her gaze dimming.
She wasn't joking. This naive girl...
But what did her liking Serena have to do with Serena?
From the moment she knew Serena had someone in her heart, she understood she had no chance.
Accompanying her all these years was enough.
"What do you want then?" Julia propped her hands behind her, tilting her head to look at Serena.
"He said he'll marry me," Serena laid flat on the blanket. "But the Nightingale family isn't what it used to be. I feel like I'm not good enough for him."
Despite her fondness, she strangely didn't want to marry.
Julia scoffed. "How are you not good enough? If you ask me, it's Phoenix who isn't worthy of you!"
They fell silent, the summer night breeze soothing. Serena drifted off to sleep on the blanket.
Julia glanced at her, fetched a thin blanket from inside to cover her, and sighed softly. "If you want to marry, then do it."
As long as she didn't remember those things.
Even if she did, they could separate again.
This girl could do anything.
First, fulfill her wish.
Julia was a pragmatic optimist.
After contemplating for a few days, Serena told Phoenix she needed to go abroad to settle matters related to their residence, and upon completion, they would return to get married.
Phoenix had planned to accompany her, but a company emergency arose, and his men lost track of Amelia.
Amelia had secretly rallied various forces to topple the Nightingales over the years.
Though unable to defeat the Lees, those hidden powers could potentially harm Serena.
Julia accompanied Serena abroad, intending to resign and stay with her upon their return to USA. However, a crucial patient made her handover difficult, so Serena came back alone.
It wasn't that Julia didn't trust her; Serena seemed fine except for her muddled memories.
Pressuring her or constantly hovering around her wouldn't be beneficial.
