Chapter 435

Sienna stared into space, thinking of Simon. "If only I could kill that bastard Marshall with my own hands."

"We still have a good life ahead of us. Why bother killing him?"

A gentle voice came from behind as Simon walked in and ruffled her hair. "You did great."

Sienna turned to look at him, suddenly feeling a wave of vulnerability as tears spilled from her eyes again.

Simon patted her arm before walking over to help Sloane up.

"I've arranged for a doctor," he told Sloane. "For your rehabilitation."

"Okay?" Sloane smiled at him. "Simon, thank you."

"What's there to thank me for?" Simon covered her legs with a blanket. "You're a hero too."

Sienna approached them, tugging at Simon's sleeve. "He said your health is worse than I knew. Is that true?"

"It is," Simon replied, looking at her with gentle eyes. "But I won't die. Trust me."

Tears welled in Sienna's eyes as she stared back stubbornly, neither confirming nor denying her trust.

"A long time ago, Kelvin introduced me to Albert," Simon sighed softly. "The medication I've been taking—it all came from Albert."

Sienna froze. "When?"

"After Maple Village, Kelvin approached me privately once."

Simon smiled. "I'll live to see you married."

"What about the kidney?" Sienna couldn't be comforted. "Will you get a transplant?"

"Yes."

Simon didn't hide anything from her. "Albert said both my liver and kidneys are severely damaged, but simultaneous transplants would be too risky. We've discussed it—to be safe, I'll start with a kidney transplant."

Sienna felt a mix of heartbreak and rage. She wanted to grab Finnian and bash his head against a wall. She broke into sobs. "Then take mine."

"No way." Simon shook his head with a smile. "You still have bad guys to catch."

Sienna raised her voice. "I can still catch bad guys with one kidney!"

Chris wheeled Isadora into the room. With everything finally settled, seeing everyone he cared about still alive felt like heaven's greatest gift.

"Take mine," he said, finally smiling. "I've already discussed it with Mr. Taylor. I'm destined to be a chef, and a chef can live with one kidney. A police officer can't. Albert has already approved."

"Right, a chef can, but a police officer can't," Simon agreed. "All these vulnerable people at home need Officer Sienna's protection."

He then turned and knelt to greet Isadora. "Thank you for raising her so well."

Isadora was too emotional to speak, only nodding as she squeezed his hand tightly.

Though they had no prior connection, they seemed so familiar through their shared love for one person.

Kelvin walked in carrying blankets and thick clothes. "It's cold outside. Wrap Mrs. Garcia in this blanket."

He handed the thick clothes to Simon. "Albert and Russell are waiting for you outside."

Sienna's heart skipped a beat as her eyes darted between Simon and Kelvin. "Why so urgent?"

Kelvin explained, "Both Mrs. Garcia and Sloane need medical attention and recovery care. Simon's condition can't wait any longer. Albert believes the sooner he starts treatment, the better."

Simon put on the clothes. "Chris knows better than anyone how well I've taken care of myself all these years. I'll be right here in Emerald City. What are you worried about? Come on, walk with me outside."

"Go ahead," Kelvin gently nudged her from behind. "I'll handle things here."

Sienna nodded.

As soon as Sienna and Simon stepped outside, they spotted Benjamin hovering by the doorway, wiping away tears.

From his demeanor, it was clear he had overheard their conversation.

The three of them stood in awkward silence, looking at each other. Benjamin fidgeted nervously with his clothes before finally lowering his head. "I've been such a burden to you all."

"Who calls their own family a burden?"

Simon smiled. "While I'm in the hospital, you and Eris will have to take care of me."

Benjamin looked up at him with wide eyes, then broke into a tearful smile, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes! I'll take good care of you. The best care possible!"

"So don't overthink things," Simon reassured him. "Rhett and the others will be here soon. We still have a restaurant to run and a life to live, right?"

Benjamin nodded, holding back his emotions. "Yes, we still have a good life ahead of us."

"Life is long. We'll take it one day at a time."

Simon and Sienna walked to the open space in front of the small building, occasionally passing police officers.

"Sienna," Simon spoke first, looking up at the dark sky. "Today should be overcast, but from now on, our skies will be clear."

Sadness welled up in Sienna's nose as she also looked up. "After my memory returned, I gradually remembered many small details. But there's one thing I only recalled when Finnian took me to that underground dungeon, when I crawled into that skin suit."

Simon asked, "What was it?"

"Once when I was badly injured, the sky that night had no stars either. I asked you when daylight would come, and what we should do if it stayed so dark."

Simon looked down with a smile. "What did I say?"

Sienna tilted her head back, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes.

A few seconds later, in the murky darkness, their voices rose in perfect unison, "If dark clouds cover this sky and evil cannot be dispersed, then cover those clouds and create a new sun, hanging above both the heavens and human hearts."

"But where is our sun?" Sienna asked. "Our sun came too late."

"You are my sun," Simon's hand rested on her shoulder. "Sienna, you are."

She was hope, she was the sun, she was what had sustained him through years of struggling in the mire. She was the destination for all of them.

After a moment, Sienna smiled. "Yes, I am the sun."

Simon watched her smile. "Do you remember telling me you wanted a home? A big one with lots of flowers, your own room, large windows, and a soft bed? You said you'd share half with me."

Sienna chuckled. "I forgot. How old was I then?"

Simon gestured at knee height. "Very small, about this tall. You had just arrived, and shortly after saying that, he took you underground."

Sienna laughed softly, as if amused by her younger self.

"Now we both have that," Simon said, feeling lighter and more content than ever before. "When you said those words, I knew we were meant to be family."

"I have money," Sienna said. "I can buy you a house, take care of you in your old age, and Chris too. I'll take care of him as well. You can have whatever you want."

"Chris..." Simon rubbed his nose with his index finger, smiling. "That guy doesn't ask for much—just wants a big kitchen."

"I'll give him that too."

"Then what about Kelvin?" Simon teased. "You always favor family. What about him?"