When Rebecca and Sam made eye contact, both of them felt a twinge of embarrassment.However, Sam didn't want to make Rebecca uncomfortable, so he cleared his throat and averted his gaze as if nothing had happened. As they left the room, Sam naturally crouched down in front of her. "Becca, if you're feeling tired, I can give you a piggyback ride." Rebecca struggled to put her feelings into words, but she didn't resist his offer. She looked at the broad back in front of her and broke into a warm smile. Without hesitation, she climbed onto Sam's shoulders. A mix of familiarity and novelty filled her chest. Initially, Rebecca was somewhat reserved. But when she felt Sam gently adjusting her position to ensure she didn't fall, she tightened her grip on his shoulders and softly thanked him. Sam chuckled and said, "Is that how you talk to me?" Rebecca's head felt heavy, but she responded candidly. "What else can I do? I had forgotten about you. It just doesn't feel right not
Sam's expression instantly turned dark. Before he could send a reply, a voice message came through. The voice sounded lackadaisical and chilly, like the night air. It was impudent and maniacal."I know Becca's still asleep right now. I also know how important Becca is to you all. How about this? I won't penalize you for what happened tonight. As long as you send her safely to the hospital, I'll forget anything happened. I'll return your two cousins as agreed, Mr. Johnson."That meant that, as long as Rebecca was back in the hospital ward, David would let Caleb and Alex go unharmed.Sam's heart burned with a righteous fury. "Why should I believe you?"David sounded amused when he said, "Sam, you certainly have the choice not to believe me. But then, I won't be able to make any promises about the state you'll find your cousins in."After a pause, a third voice message came through."By the way, what makes you so sure you can take Becca safely out of Fairport, Sam?"Though tinged w
Nate looked down and checked this watch. "She'll wake up in about three minutes or so."Though Nate had only given an estimate, the timing proved to be exactly right.When Sam received yet another message from David sent from Caleb's phone, Rebecca's eyelids fluttered. Looking at the woman whose head was on his shoulder, Sam smiled. He'd been extremely anxious before, but now his worry lessened by a lot. He stared at Rebecca and asked, "Becca, how do you feel?"Newly awakened, Rebecca felt like her brain was empty. Her eyes held a look of confusion in them. It was the faint herbal scent coming from outside the car that allowed her to slowly regain her senses."Sam …" Rebecca looked at the building behind Sam, and a look of confusion overtook her pretty face. "Sam, I remember that w-we left the hospital, right? Why …"Why were they still at the entrance to the hospital?Rebecca was perplexed by this. She thought she might have dreamed up her escape from David on the road. But
"Becca!" Sam cried out from behind before Rebecca could get too far. He had put away the note without opening it and jumped out of the car.Rebecca turned back. Sam's tone was impatient as he stood by Nate's side. He looked at her. "You should still let us send you there. How could you just walk off alone? This time is different from the last."The two siblings thought back to what had happened at the hotel. They both smiled.Rebecca, especially, felt a sense of release as she smiled.That had just happened two days ago, so Rebecca naturally remembered it. She also remembered how much she feared that she couldn't bear to leave. Thus, she hadn't even dared to turn back and look at her family.She was afraid that if she looked back, she would want to go back home. If she did, then the safety of Sam and Nate couldn't be guaranteed.She didn't look back. She told herself that she had always been alone. Thus, she wouldn't drag anyone else into trouble now.Yet, now, her choice to l
Sam would never have expected that he would one day be in the same room as David without coming to blows.The ward was quiet, and no one spoke.David wore a dark expression as he sat on the couch. His gaze was fixed across the room as he watched Nate examine an unconscious Rebecca.Once Nate was done and finished settling Rebecca in bed, David asked, "How is she?"Nate looked at David, and a smile stretched across his cool features. "You did this to Becca yourself, Mr. Winston. How do you think she is?"The drug had sleep-inducing properties. Naturally, it didn't do much harm to the body. However, Rebecca had been forcefully roused from her unconsciousness. Thereafter, she had to face off against David while feeling unwell. It was expected that her body wouldn't be able to take it.After some sleep, and after continuing with her medicine once she awoke, Rebecca would be fine.However, Nate was still a little worried upon thinking of the plan Rebecca mentioned, the one about find
It was the next afternoon when Rebecca was awakened by the dazzling sun. As usual, her stomach churned with hunger.But what was different from last time was that she didn't feel dizzy immediately upon waking. Instead, she actually felt refreshed. The herbal smell she sensed was especially relaxing. If it weren't for the stone-faced man sitting on the couch, Rebecca would have forgotten what she had endured last night. With just one look, her movements became smaller. Then, she laid her head back down on the pillow and stayed silent. She forced herself to endure the hunger she felt.Naturally, David noticed that Rebecca had woken up from where he was on the couch. It was just that he didn't bother with her after seeing her move about without making any noise. He went back to his own affairs.The room was filled with awkward silence. There was only the soft tapping of fingers on a keyboard outside. Even the chirping of the birds beyond the window was too soft to penetrate the gla
Rebecca couldn't wrap her head around what David was thinking, so she figured she might as well give it up.Washing up made her feel very refreshed, so she was gracious as she sat opposite David. She picked up her spoon and started eating the porridge. Since it had cooled a little, it was just the right temperature now.The food was so delectable that it destroyed Rebecca's previous displeasure. It seemed that food would always be the world's best balm.Yet, since David had gotten her this food, Rebecca wasn't so absorbed in happily eating that she forgot about him.After swallowing another mouthful, Rebecca looked up at David, who was frowning because of some trivial matter. "David, aren't you going to have lunch?"Seemingly surprised, David cast his serious gaze on Rebecca. He probably never expected that she would speak to him of her own accord. After staring at her for a while, he looked away and focused on the screen again. "I already ate."So, he'd already eaten. No wonder
Sitting opposite Rebecca on the couch, David suddenly found himself at a loss for words.He really didn't understand how Rebecca could be so caught up with the Johnson family when she'd lost her memories. According to her, she only remembered things up to five years ago. In that case, the members of the Johnson family were only strangers she'd seen a few times.Yet, it was these same strangers who turned all his efforts this past month into nothing. Worse, she had even compromised with him time and time again because of them.And it was only because she missed home.For a moment, David really didn't know what to say. He could only watch as Rebecca sat across from him and cried. She was so bereft that it made it seem as though he had done a great wrong against her while she had been with him.Well, it was true that he had.She was once a bird flying free in the wild. David had caught her, pinioned her, and kept her at home. No matter how large her cage was, how he saved her the tr