Sera looked at him coldly, signaling him to continue.

Finding that she had relented, Julian’s eyes immediately reddened. He poured out all his longing for her during this time, along with his remorse for the past harm he had caused, as the sea breeze blew.

"I know I did many wrong things before. But Sera, you are a psychiatrist too; you know that wasn't the real me. I love you so much, how could I ever treat you like that?"

"After you went abroad, Clarissa found me and tricked me into deep hypnosis, deliberately hiding my primary personality and even altering my memories..." At this point, his eyes shifted, tears shimmering in them. "I wanted the best for you more than anyone else, I wanted to protect you... but in the end, the one who hurt you most was me."

"If possible, please give me a chance. I will use the rest of my life to make it up to you."

As his words fell, brilliant fireworks suddenly rose into the dark sky outside. The moment they burst, radiant light flowed across the heavens.

She looked up abruptly to see the rain of light falling, followed by the appearance of countless drones hovering in the sky, slowly spelling out her name.

"Do you remember our promise?" Julian choked back a sob, producing a breathtakingly brilliant diamond ring from somewhere and looking at her with a pleading gaze. "I said that when I became successful, I would marry you. That promise still stands today. I don't know if you’re still willing..."

Chapter 21

"Enough." Sera interrupted him, her eyes as cold as ice. "I thought I had made myself clear. I know everything you're saying, but I do not accept it, and I will never forgive you in this lifetime."

She pulled up her sleeve, exposing a scar that looked like a centipede. Her voice grew even colder.

"Even if it wasn't your intention, every injury I suffered because of you was real. And my mother—because of you—may never wake up again."

By the end, her voice carried a hint of a sob. Upon seeing that long scar, Julian’s pupils contracted sharply, and his face turned even paler. He trembled, wanting to explain, but he realized that no matter what he said, he could not change the established facts.

Sera looked up at him, her gaze calm and deep.

"So, Julian, let me go. I'm doing quite well now. From now on, the only thing standing between us is hate."

The moment the last word fell, the remaining color drained from Julian’s face. The bitterness he had been suppressing finally overflowed from the corners of his mouth. He wanted to say more, but as he watched Sera walk away with Caleb without looking back, he froze on the spot.

Belatedly, he looked at the ring in his hand and let out a very faint, yet manic smile.

Yes, he was the one who had personally pushed her away.

How could the harm he had caused her be easily erased by a few apologies?

"Sera, are you okay? If you need help, you can tell me anytime."

Sera shook her head gently and leaned against the deck. The briny sweetness of the sea breeze mixed with the autumn wind blew against her face, yet it could not sweep away the irritation in her heart.

Ever since seeing Julian, everything that happened in the past played in her mind like a film being rewound.

The moment she learned he was cured, she was happy, but more than that, she felt a sense of relief and composure after having experienced it all.

She would not forgive him, just as he had once stubbornly refused to listen to her explanations.

Everything between them was already over.

"Sera, I don't want to hide it from you. I like you. Don't worry about burdening me; if you need anything, you know I will help you without hesitation. I want to be your strongest support."

Sera looked up and met his eyes, which were as bright as stars. The irritation caused by Julian seemed to vanish at that moment.

During this time, she had seen all the kindness Caleb had shown her. She wasn't entirely unmoved; her heart, which had long been numb and wounded because of Julian, was gradually healing under his care.

She no longer resisted his presence, and the two grew closer and closer, as if an invisible thread was drawing them together.

Thinking of this, the gloom on Sera's face vanished, replaced by a glimmer of a smile as she softly agreed.

Sera’s indifference toward him and her smiles toward Caleb made Julian feel utterly suffocated.

Over the years, the name "Seraphina Vance" had been deeply branded into his heart. Therefore, he could not accept a life without her, nor could he accept another man by her side.

Caleb’s appearance undoubtedly fueled his competitive spirit.

Instead of leaving as she asked, Julian became more determined. Every day, he waited punctually outside her research institute for her to finish work.

Sometimes he would bring fresh bouquets; other times, he would buy the desserts she used to love, or even cook the dishes they enjoyed during the time they relied on each other.

But Sera never gave him a kind look, and everything he sent was thrown into the trash.

Yet, Julian never gave up.

Chapter 22

One late night, he even placed a whip with countless barbs into his assistant’s hand.

"I was wrong in the past, and now it's time for my atonement. I want Sera to know the sincerity of my repentance."

The assistant wanted to refuse, but under Julian’s threatening gaze, he picked up the whip and struck his back with force.

The barbs tore through the skin and churned the flesh. Every swing brought a spray of blood until finally, his entire back was a mangled mess.

But Julian didn't make a sound. Cold sweat soaked the hair on his forehead, yet he gritted his teeth, his voice incredibly hoarse.

"Not enough. This isn't enough. Continue. Continue."

For hours, Julian harmed himself in a near-masochistic fashion. By the time the "punishment" was over, he was severely injured and sent to the hospital, yet he stubbornly refused treatment.

Knowing his intention, the assistant immediately sent a message to Sera.

"Ms. Vance, I beg you to come and see Mr. Sterling. To atone for his sins against you, he is punishing himself recklessly. He is now in the ICU with serious injuries and refuses treatment unless he sees you."

Sera received this message just as she was leaving the institute.

After clicking on the photo the assistant had sent, Sera frowned deeply. Her fingertips paused for a moment before she quickly regained her composure.

"Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me. Stop disturbing my life."

After saying this, she blocked the number. Seeing Caleb walking toward her, a smile returned to her face.

Life had to go on, and Sera had made up her mind; perhaps she could try to accept Caleb.

The two agreed to go to the nearby Chinatown for dinner after work, but on the way, she suddenly received a call from the hospital.

Her mother was trying to pull out her tubes and seemed to be in great pain.

Hearing this, Sera’s mind went blank, and her hands began to tremble. It was Caleb who reacted first, comforting her softly.

"Don't be afraid. Let's go take a look together."

He hailed a taxi as quickly as possible and contacted acquaintances at the hospital to help look after her mother. By the time they arrived, her mother had calmed down.

Sera reached out to wipe away the tears flowing unconsciously from her mother’s eyes and could no longer suppress her emotions, sobbing aloud.

Caleb said nothing, simply staying by her side quietly, letting her vent her emotions. When she finished crying, he handed her a tissue.

After comforting Sera, he requested a meeting with her mother’s primary physician.

"The patient having conscious movement isn't necessarily a bad thing. The neuroimaging reports suggest the patient has entered a minimally conscious state. With continuous stimulation and companionship, there is hope for a full recovery."

Chapter 23

For Sera, this was undoubtedly wonderful news.

She took a leave of absence to spend every moment by her mother’s side, caring for her diligently.

Caleb followed suit.

When she was overwhelmed with hospital paperwork, he would handle the medical procedures. When she broke down in tears at night over her mother, he would silently put an arm around her shoulder. He stayed informed about every issue in her mother’s treatment and discussed the details with the doctors.

Over time, the seed that had been planted in Sera’s heart began to take root and grow rapidly during this period of constant companionship.

The relationship between them grew closer, becoming an unspoken understanding. Sera would hold his hand when he was tired, and Caleb’s face would invariably turn red.