Stefan looked pained. He had sealed those memories away already, and didn't want to bring them up anymore. He told himself that he would use the rest of his life to repent for his sins.However, Renee had returned now, and he just couldn't pretend that she didn't exist in his heart."You said that I hated you, and I admit that I did for a while. But the truth is… I hated myself the most, since I couldn't manage our relationship well. I idealized everything, and in the end, I was too late. I couldn't stop this from happening…" Stefan trailed off, unable to continue. He turned away, shaking, as if he was forcing himself to suppress his emotions.Renee had rarely seen him be vulnerable like this. He was always cold and conceited, but now… he looked like a lost child. She had only ever seen him like this one other time - at his brother's funeral. Her heart was breaking for him, and she couldn't stop herself from wanting to hug him…Suddenly, a voice inside her mind reminded her, ‘You'l
"I'll come with you. No matter what, the child was innocent." With that, Renee chose to head to the cemetery with Stefan and Briar. It was located on the west side of Beach City, and was surrounded by a large forest. With the tombs built within such a secluded area, it seemed rather eerie from the outside.Renee was sitting in the backseat at the time, watching as the car drove by the woods, her expression rather gloomy. She knew that the child had been the victim here, and whatever was going on between her and Briar had to be put aside for now. She couldn't deny that she had harmed an innocent life.The atmosphere in the vehicle was extremely tense, with the only sound in the car being Briar's sobbing. Although Renee hated Briar, she understood how painful it was for a mother to experience such a thing."Here." She handed Briar a piece of tissue.Briar turned to look at her with teary eyes, and shook her head. "Ms. Everheart, I'm not trying to put up a pitiful act in front of yo
"So, you do know the difference! How about you let me decide whether I want to have children, and who I want to have children with? There's no need for you to get involved!" Stefan said angrily and stopped the car.Renee figured that she was being too overbearing as well. Stefan Hunt had always been a prideful man, and was used to having everything under his control. If she were to take charge of something as important as having children, he would surely get upset."Ah, I'm sorry, I was too impatient… I don't have bad intentions. I just wanted to recommend this procedure to you both, since you and Ms. Desrosiers-""Get out," Stefan snarled suddenly, his expression dark."Huh? Are we here already?" Renee scanned her surroundings, but it was obvious they hadn't reached yet."Get! Out!" Stefan ordered once again, not explaining himself in the slightest. He was at his wit's end, otherwise, he would have never done something so discourteous."Fine then!" Renee snapped, and got out wit
The cemetery was rather remote. Not only were there large thickets around the area, the paths were quite rocky as well. The thick smog enveloping the area could easily affect one's sense of direction as well. If headed in the wrong direction, the forest would seem like a confusing maze, which would make the journey even more dangerous than it was.Renee was completely immersed in her phone, wondering if she should tell Leia about William's complicated past with Briar. Then, suddenly, she felt her entire body falling forward…Renee screamed as she tumbled down a cliff. She hit her head on a large rock going down, and instantly faded into unconsciousness.Meanwhile, Stefan and Briar had already arrived at the child's tomb. A small gravestone stood there forlornly, with the baby's name and death date engraved on it."Hi, baby! Mommy and Uncle Stefan are here to see you again. How are you feeling today? The weather's getting kind of cold, so I prepared lots of warm clothes for you. D
Looking around, Renee finally found her phone nearby, only to realize that it was broken. She couldn't turn it on at all."Agh, that useless Stefan Hunt! I knew he was bad luck!" Renee cursed as she scanned her surroundings. It was pitch black, with no one remotely near. Renee immediately felt scared. "Is there anyone out there?! Somebody, please help!" She screamed, her voice echoing alongside the caws of crows. The pain in her head and leg was overwhelming, and she was finding it difficult to even scream for help at this point."I won't die here, right?! That'd be too unfair…"-In Hunt Manor, the family had gathered around the dining table to have a nice dinner together, but the atmosphere felt rather odd for some reason.Francine was trying to ask Stefan over and over again if he had contacted Renee. She had just found out that Renee, who'd disappeared for four whole years, had returned to Beach City all of a sudden. The woman felt conflicted when it came to Renee. She c
Stefan then got into his car and sped towards the forest as fast as he could. Francine's casual chit-chat during dinner had reminded him that the cemetery indeed had complex terrains, with smog all around it. He was worried that something might've happened to Renee. Although the possibility was extremely low, he still had to personally investigate the area to ease his anxiety.The car continued racing through the night, with its headlights being the only light source. Stefan was gripping the steering wheel tightly, scanning the area with his sharp gaze, all while loudly calling out to the woman."Renee!"Night time in the forest was exceedingly quiet. Any sudden sounds would echo through it loudly, startling the birds nearby.Soon, he had reached the area where he had kicked Renee out, and he got out of the car right away."Where are you, Renee?! Answer me!" Stefan yelled louder than before, his voice turning hoarse. However, all he received in response was either crows cawi
Stefan gripped his dislocated left leg, breaking out in a cold sweat. However, he still managed to plaster an arrogant expression onto his face."That's good." Renee felt more relaxed now.'That man sure is tough—he's fine even after falling a few miles down a cliff. That's impressive, not going to lie!'"How are you feeling?" Stefan endured the pain and shifted towards Renee in the dark."Terrible! I'm pretty sure I have a concussion, and my leg is fractured! I'm tired, cold, and starving! I feel like I'm going to die soon!"Renee tried to get up a few times, but her leg didn't allow her to move at all, so she could only lay there helplessly. She thought she was about to see the light when the hunger kicked in."How could you fall from just walking? How stupid are you? Couldn't you have called someone for help?" Stefan was so worried that he wanted to beat some sense into the woman.'It's been four years and she's still the same—she can't take care of herself!'"My phone is br
"Huh?" Renee stared at the man's wide shoulders under the dim moonlight. She looked rather hesitant and replied, "That's not appropriate, is it?""Stop dawdling. If you won't get on, I'll just leave you here," Stefan said frostily. In reality, he knew that he didn't have much time with his dislocated leg, and that he wouldn't be able to help if they kept stalling."Ah, fine, fine. If you insist," Renee said and put her arms around the man's neck, putting her entire weight on him."Hold on tight." Stefan reminded the woman and tried his best to stand up. Despite his tall build, having to endure this extra weight made him sway back and forth unsteadily.Renee held her breath, not daring to move a muscle, and asked softly, "Hey, are you okay? Why do I feel like you're having a hard time carrying me? It's like you're about to faint!""I'm… fine!" Stefan said with difficulty, gritting his teeth.It was as if his left shin bone had fractured, with the pain piercing his flesh like thous