Chapter 2

Only after I stopped coughing blood did I force myself to carry the food box to Moonlight Manor. When I got there, I saw my son waiting by the courtyard gate.

Five-year-old Samuel Hartley was always on guard around me. Before I could speak, he snatched the food box from my hands and had the servants stop me.

"Uncle, leaving it here is enough. Don't go in and ruin our family time."

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. The smile on my face froze.

Samuel had already run off with the food box, excitedly calling out, "Dad!" as he dashed into the courtyard.

I watched him throw himself into Charles's arms. Inside, the family of four looked so warm and happy together.

The cold wind blew through the corridor and cut through my clothes. I was freezing, hurting, and suddenly so lonely I could barely breathe.

This world had never been kind to me.

The system comforted me: [Just hold on a little longer, Host. In eight hours, you'll be able to leave this world.]

I endured the pain and went back to my room. I reminded the system not to forget its promise. After I died in this world, it had to take me somewhere I could finally feel loved.

Before I could hear its reply, I blacked out and collapsed onto the bed.

I had no idea how long passed before the door was kicked open with a bang.

Evelyn stormed in, yanked me off the bed, and demanded coldly,

"You actually poisoned the lotus pastries?"

"Hand over the antidote. Now."

I struggled to explain.

"I didn't poison anything..."

But Evelyn wouldn't listen. She dragged me straight to Moonlight Manor without another word.

The moment we stopped, before I could steady myself, my son Samuel suddenly charged out and slammed hard into my waist.

He hit and kicked me while yelling, "Bad guy! You hurt my sister and Dad!"

"I hate you! You should die!"

I was knocked into the freezing snow. My waist felt like it was breaking, and my face went white as paper.

Evelyn finally stopped our son, only to frown and punish me instead.

"Until Charlie and Lily are confirmed safe, you will kneel here and reflect on what you've done."

Just then, the doctor came out from inside and bowed to Evelyn.

"Lady Foster, rest assured. Charlie and Miss Lily were not poisoned."

"Miss Lily just caught a chill, and Mr. Charles only passed out from exhaustion."

The calm on Evelyn's face cracked for a second.

But after hearing that, Samuel didn't even glance at me. He happily shouted for his dad and ran inside to see Charles.

Evelyn came back to herself and stepped forward to help me up, guilt finally showing on her face.

"I'm sorry. We were wrong to blame you. But don't hold it against Samuel."

"He was just worried and panicked. That's why he hit you. He doesn't really hate you."

I tugged at the corner of my mouth and said nothing.

I was leaving this world soon anyway. Whether they hated me or not didn't matter anymore.

Fighting off the dizzy haze in my head, I shook off Evelyn's hand and turned away.

My throat tasted of blood. I was getting weaker by the minute and had no energy left to deal with her, so I started to leave.

But Evelyn grabbed my hand again.

Maybe because she felt guilty, she made me an offer for once.

"There's a lantern fair tonight. Don't you like lively crowds? Come with us. This time, I'll win you a lantern too."

I gave a cold laugh and pulled my hand away.

"No thanks. I don't want to get accused in public of stealing Charles's poetry again."

Evelyn froze. For once, embarrassment flashed across her cool, elegant face.