"Awake yet?" The voice on the other end of the phone, distorted by a voice changer, was emotionless.
Martin spoke the truth, "Yeah, she’s up."
A few days earlier, he had called Rosemary, begging her to save Serena. Rosemary had flatly refused.
Just when he was at his wit’s end in the hospital, an unknown number called him, saying there was a way to save Serena.
But there was a catch: Martin had to agree to do three things for the caller.
The caller didn’t specify what these three tasks were, only insisting that Martin agree first.
In the end, with Serena’s life hanging in the balance, Martin agreed.
"What’s the first thing I need to do?" Martin asked.
"No rush," ca the calm, authoritative reply, even through the voice changer.
"When the ti cos for you to act, I’ll let you know. If I don’t reach out, you don’t need to contact . Now that your lady’s awake, our deal is in full swing. Here’s to a pleasant collaboration."
With that, the call ended.
Martin felt uneasy. He had a hunch that the caller was trouble, but given the situation, he had no other choice.
He couldn’t just watch the woman he loved slip away.
Initially, the caller had sent him to a place to pick up a pill. After Serena took it, she didn’t wake up.
He even suspected the dication was faulty and made threats.
It wasn’t until two days later, when the hospital announced that Serena’s condition was stable and she could go ho to recover, that he began to feel so relief.
Thanks to the high-end dical equipnt he had splurged on for Serena, she could spend the holidays at ho instead of in the sterile environnt of the hospital.
To his surprise, a few days after taking the pill, Serena actually woke up.
While he was overjoyed, he also felt worried about whatever might co next.
Back at Reflections Villa.
Rosemary arrived ho to find family portraits from last Christmas displayed everywhere.
"Rose, you’re back? How do you like these photos?" Louisa, gripping her hand, bead, "The biggest one goes on the wall, so guests see it right as they co in. And these smaller ones, let’s put one on
each end table, so guests can see our happy family while they’re having coffee."
"Oh please, who cares about those?" Sean comnted sourly. "Besides, is the family even complete?
Anyone would think you’ve lost a son."
He had missed the last Christmas photo, so he wasn’t in the family portraits. Knowing now how adorable and beloved his sister was, he wished he had crawled to be in the photo with her, no matter
how badly he had been hurt.
"You’re just sour grapes because you missed out." Clark, picking up a photo of him and his sister, admired it contentedly, "I think this one will look perfect on my desk. And this fra is super cute."
"Look at you, it’s hideous." Sean scoffed at Clark in the photo, "Look at Rose, she’s practically grimacing with you."
"That’s not true, she’s clearly smiling."
"That’s called a forced smile."
Seeing her brothers bicker again, Rosemary couldn’t help but laugh, "Alright, cut it out, you guys. We’ll take more photos at the New Year’s celebration, won’t we?"
"How did you know?" Everyone turned to look at her in unison, puzzled. They hadn’t leaked a word.
Who had told her?
"Don’t we take them every holiday?" Rosemary replied with a smile, already anticipating the next round of family photos and the mories they would capture.
Ever since Rosemary ca back ho, every family holiday turned into a photo shoot. Thanksgiving,Christmas, and now it was clear that New Year would be no different.
"Rose is just so smart." Kenneth said with a twinkling smile. "Now that Rose has caught on to the pattern, I might as well spill the beans. Indeed, we’ve got a photo crew coming over tomorrow. We’ll all
dress up in matching family outfits and take pictures without any fuss."
"This ans I’ll get more snapshots with Rose," Clark boasted to Sean.
Sean couldn’t swallow his pride, but then he heard his sister ask, "Sean, didn’t you say on the way ho you wanted to take so selfies with ?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot." Sean, thrilled that his sister was saving face for him, eagerly pulled out his phone, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and snap, snap, snapped away.
Clark couldn’t help but tease, "Can’t you ever stop? Taking so many shots in the sa pose, aren’t you tired? Rose must be exhausted!"
"You have no clue. It’s about different angles!" Sean retorted, then posed for the phone again. "Co on, Rose, give us a smile."
Rosemary lit up with a grin, and Sean tapped the screen multiple tis, capturing several more images.
"That’s hideous, what’s there to photograph?" Clark complained when he saw Sean baring his teeth in the shots.
"Mind if I join?" Chasel pushed his way in, standing on Rosemary’s other side, eager to get in the fra.
"Who wants to take a picture with you? Move over, you’re blocking the shot of and Rose."
Everyone around couldn’t help but laugh.
At For·ena Villa.
When Serena woke again, her lifeless eyes betrayed no emotion, as if her spirit was crushed by the world.
"Serena, you’re awake? Thank goodness." Dora quickly fished out her phone to call Martin.
The attending doctor stepped forward to examine Serena, ensuring there were no complications before heaving a sigh of relief.
Martin, who was in the middle of a shower when he heard Serena had awakened, threw on a robe and rushed over.
Serena noticed his hair was still damp, and his skin looked soft and clean from the steam.
Truth be told, Martin looked handso from this angle.
"Serena? You’re finally awake." Martin was elated. "Are you thirsty? Hungry? Want sothing to eat?
The doctor said you could have so broth now that you’re awake, right Doctor?"
He turned to the doctor with his question.
The doctor, montarily enchanted by Martin’s dashing appearance, snapped back to reality and replied, "Yes. Serena can start with so broth. She should eat light, in small amounts, and frequently.
She can’t fill up all at once."
After all, it had been days since she had eaten.
"Shall I have soone bring up so broth?" Martin asked softly, looking at the woman in the bed.
"Mhm," Serena nodded, causing Martin’s face to light up - she finally wanted to eat.
It was a positive sign.
If her mood continued to be low, it would only worsen her condition.
"I’ll go get it," Dora chid in joyfully. "Just a mont, Serena, I’ll be right back."
"You can go now," Martin said to the doctor.
Though the doctor seed reluctant to leave, she bowed and exited at Martin’s request.
Dora quickly returned with a bowl of broth.
"Let do it," Martin said, taking the bowl to feed her.
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