Chapter 394: Only by Cutting Away the Rotten Flesh Can One Welcome New Life

Chapter 394: Only by Cutting Away the Rotten Flesh Can One Welcome New Life

"Emily, is it really good for Mason if things keep going on like this?"

Thora's words weighed heavily on her heart.

How could she not know that problems needed to be faced head-on, that running away solved nothing?

But Mason was only five years old. He was so small, his emotional resilience surely not as strong as an adult's. How could she bear to tear open the wound in his heart and make him suffer all over again?

Yet she had to admit—Thora was right. Things couldn't continue this way.

If she wanted to truly help Mason move past this, the wound would have to be opened one more time.

Only by cutting away the rot could new growth begin.

Mason's fainting today might be a warning sign. Somewhere near Mason, somewhere in the Thomas Villa, there had to be something that terrified him.

What exactly had Mason seen?

Lost in thought, Emily wandered into the long corridor leading to the courtyard. Through the massive glass doors, she could see the garden where peach trees grew.

It was winter now. The peach blossoms had all withered, leaving bare branches stretching toward the sky, making the courtyard feel even more desolate and lonely.

James stood beneath one of the bare peach trees. He was turned to the side, backlit, so Emily couldn't make out his expression—only that he seemed to be looking at something in the distance.

After a moment, perhaps sensing Emily's gaze, James withdrew his attention and turned to look at her.

Their eyes met in the air, colliding silently.

Emily hesitated, then walked toward the courtyard and came to stand beside James.

"See anything?"

Emily asked in a low voice.

James shook his head. He lowered his eyelids, his deep eyes studying Emily's face for a long moment before asking softly, "How's Mason?"

"You know Thora's skills. Mason's fine. He'll wake up soon."

"Good."

James nodded and said nothing more.

After a moment of silence, Emily picked up the thread again. "Thora said Mason fainted because something frightened him."

"Frightened?"

A flash of surprise crossed James's eyes. He turned to look at the old villa beside the guest house, his expression growing darker and more somber.

"James, what do you think Mason saw that scared him like that?"

"I'm not sure. We probably won't know until Mason wakes up and can tell us."

"Okay."

James turned his gaze back to Emily. She was frowning, head lowered, clearly lost in thought.

He reached out and gently lifted her chin with one hand, making those bright, clear eyes meet his own.

"What are you anxious about?"

"What?"

"I can see it. You're uneasy and conflicted. Did Thora say something to you?"

Emily froze. She hadn't expected James to see through her so easily.

She'd thought she was hiding it well.

Meeting James's eyes again, Emily noticed something—in those deep, dark eyes, it seemed that from beginning to end, there was only her small reflection.

So devoted. So focused.

For some reason, Emily suddenly felt an urge to confide in James.

Perhaps after walking alone in the dark for so long, no matter how strong she was, she still grew tired. She still yearned for light to guide her, for arms that felt safe.

Maybe it was because being near James felt secure that Emily wanted to open up.

So Emily repeated what Thora had told her, sharing it with James.

As Mason's biological father, he deserved to hear this too. She wanted to know what he thought.

"I think it's worth trying."

After listening to Emily, James was silent for a moment before speaking. "Mason grew up by my side. That child has always been reserved and quiet. No matter how much he's hurting, he keeps it all inside. Maybe we can find the right moment to help Mason release those pent-up emotions, help him feel lighter. When the time is right, we can slowly guide Mason to remember what happened three years ago."

Emily thought it over and nodded in agreement.

After a pause, Emily asked softly, "James, do you think the person who frightened Mason could be Xanthe?"

Emily suddenly remembered—the last time she'd done the hypnotic empathy therapy with Mason, through his perspective she'd seen not only Indigo's fierce face, but also Xanthe.

"I was just thinking about that too—whether Mason might have seen Xanthe. But we don't have any proof. If Xanthe just looked in Mason's direction, what could she have done to scare him this badly?"

Emily thought about it, then shook her head.

"Daddy, Mommy! Mason's awake!"

Briar came running out of the house and threw her arms around Emily's leg.

Emily bent down and scooped Briar up, affectionately pinching her soft little cheek. "Then let's go see Mason together."

"Okay!"

Emily carried Briar toward the house, James following slowly behind.

Suddenly, James's steps faltered slightly.

He turned around slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the direction of the villa next door.

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but the curtain in one of the second-floor windows seemed to flutter, though there was no wind.

If he remembered correctly, that window belonged to his own room.

James narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.

"James?"

Emily had gone inside with Briar, and when she noticed the footsteps behind her had stopped, she turned back in confusion.

"Coming."

James withdrew his gaze and followed her inside.

In the bedroom, Mason sat on the bed quietly drinking water, with Qiana sitting beside him, watching him with loving eyes.

Hearing the knock, Mason looked up. When he saw James and Emily entering together, his eyes brightened slightly.

"Mason, how are you feeling now? Does anything hurt?"

Emily set Briar down and walked to the bedside, gently smoothing Mason's tousled hair.

Mason shook his head and nuzzled his soft little face against Emily's warm palm.

Emily's nose suddenly stung with emotion. She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Mason into a gentle embrace.

"Mason, I'm so sorry."

She hadn't protected him. This was all her fault!

If she hadn't left the children with James five years ago, if she'd taken them with her back then, would Mason have been spared all of this?

Mason blinked, looking confused.

He didn't understand why Emily was suddenly apologizing, but being the understanding child he was, he gently patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

'Mommy, don't be sad. I'm okay!'