"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," came the calm, authoritative reply, even through the voice changer.
"When the time comes for you to act, I’ll let you know. If I don’t reach out, you don’t need to contact me. 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 medication 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 home to recover, that he began to feel some relief.
Thanks to the high-end medical equipment he had splurged on for Serena, she could spend the holidays at home instead of in the sterile environment 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 come next.
Back at Reflections Villa.
Rosemary arrived home to find family portraits from last Christmas displayed everywhere.
"Rose, you’re back? How do you like these photos?" Louisa, gripping her hand, beamed, "The biggest one goes on the wall, so guests see it right as they come 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 commented 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 frame 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 memories they would capture.
When Serena woke again, her lifeless eyes betrayed no emotion, as if her spirit was crushed by the world.
Serena noticed his hair was still damp, and his skin looked soft and clean from the steam.
Truth be told, Martin looked handsome from this angle.
"Serena? You’re finally awake." Martin was elated. "Are you thirsty? Hungry? Want something to eat?
The doctor said you could have some broth now that you’re awake, right Doctor?"
He turned to the doctor with his question.
The doctor, momentarily enchanted by Martin’s dashing appearance, snapped back to reality and replied, "Yes. Serena can start with some 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 someone bring up some 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 chimed in joyfully. "Just a moment, Serena, I’ll be right back."
"You can go now," Martin said to the doctor.
Though the doctor seemed reluctant to leave, she bowed and exited at Martin’s request.
Dora quickly returned with a bowl of broth.
"Let me do it," Martin said, taking the bowl to feed her.

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