Chapter 335: Past Events Sealed Away for Many Years

Chapter 335: Past Events Sealed Away for Many Years

Inside was a leather journal.

The notebook was very worn but very clean.

Clearly, its owner had placed it there with care.

Adrian suddenly felt his heart tighten to the extreme.

He opened it carefully.

Serena's elegant handwriting appeared before his eyes—

March 12

First day leaving the Rothwell estate and coming to Sweetwater City with Mom.

I don't like this unfamiliar city.

I want to go back to the Rothwell estate. I miss Grandpa, Sarah, the magnolia tree outside my window, and... Adrian.

That last name made Adrian's hand tremble violently.

She'd... missed him?

He couldn't describe what he felt—wild joy, disbelief, and a massive shock all at once.

He turned to the next page.

March 19

Mom smashed my magnolia crystal snow globe.

It was the only thing I brought from the Rothwell estate. Adrian gave it to me.

Mom said to stop thinking about it. She said I don't deserve him.

...

March 25

Mom's condition has worsened again.

I told Sarah. She arranged for a psychologist.

Mom refuses to go.

She resists. She self-harms with a fruit knife.

I knelt before her, begging. The knife cut my shoulder. It hurt so much.

...

The word "hurt" was wrinkled, as if soaked with tears and then dried.

Adrian traced the character, thinking of the scar on Serena's back. His heart ached sharply.

His hands trembling, he turned another page.

March 28

I learned to cook.

I made fried rice for Mom. She said it was delicious.

I have to take good care of Mom.

...

April 5

Mom won't cooperate with treatment. She won't see the doctor.

She doesn't think she's sick.

Sarah came back to the country. I went with her to see the doctor and explained Mom's situation.

The doctor said as long as she's away from that terrible environment and her family shows enough patience, Mom's condition will improve.

The doctor gave me a care plan.

Sarah went with me to buy lots of books about depression.

I'm confident. I have to help Mom get better. My gentle, kind mother shouldn't be trapped in past pain...

...

April 17

Today is my birthday.

I heard Adrian and Sarah came back from abroad.

I want to go back to the Rothwell estate.

I made a little cake myself. I want to go find them.

I secretly bought a train ticket, but Mom found out.

Mom tore up my ticket, threw the cake in the trash, confiscated my phone, and locked me in my room.

My seventeenth birthday—my first birthday without Sarah and Adrian...

But I'm not angry.

Mom is just sick.

She'll get better.

...

April 25

I've been at the new school for a while, but I still haven't adjusted.

A girl classmate said lots of boys in our class like me.

I don't like them.

I just want to study hard.

If I become excellent enough, will I be worthy of Adrian?

I don't know.

I also don't know if what I feel for Adrian is dependence or love.

...

April 30

After cleaning today, I was locked in the classroom.

I know who did it, but it's okay.

I like being alone.

But my peace was interrupted.

A male classmate found me locked in and opened the door to let me out.

He brought me food.

I really was hungry.

I suddenly remembered when I was seven and Grandpa made me kneel. That night, Adrian secretly brought me food.

So I remembered that classmate's name—Chase.

May 4

Chase is pursuing me.

But I don't like him.

I've heard that if you don't feel anything at first sight, you never will.

I'm certain I don't like him.

But somehow, seeing Chase always makes me think of Adrian.

Even though they don't look alike at all.

...

May 7

Mom's condition is starting to improve a little. Just a little, but everything's moving in the right direction.

Sometimes Mom has lucid moments. She holds me and cries, saying I've worked so hard.

Actually, it's nothing. I don't feel it's hard, as long as Mom gets better.

...

June 30

Mom's condition is getting better and better. She doesn't self-harm anymore and has agreed to see the doctor.

I'm so happy.

I imagine that once Mom is well, I can go back to the Rothwell estate.

I miss Sarah and Adrian.

So, so much.

...

July 5

Mom discovered my intention—that I still want to go back to the Rothwell estate. She threatened to kill herself unless I promise never to return.

I didn't want to agree.

Mom went on a hunger strike in protest.

For Mom's sake, I gave in.

...

July 8

Chase followed me all the way home.

I don't like it. I'm actually annoyed.

But Mom really likes him.

Mom urged me to be with him.

Mom said Adrian is brilliant and radiant—only someone as dazzling as Sarah deserves him.

Mom also said only someone like Chase is suitable for me.

...

July 10

Mom's support has made Chase even more brazen.

He comes to my house all the time.

He's good at pleasing people. He helps Mom with housework, does the physical labor she can't do, and helps take care of Grandma.

But I still don't like him.

I'd rather stay alone in my room.

...

July 16

I seem to be growing more and more fond of the dark.

I don't like sunlight, don't like brightness, don't like talking, don't like interacting with people.

Don't like anything with color.

Don't like anything alive.

I'm gradually forgetting who I used to be.

I've finally become that most unremarkable, ordinary person.

...

July 20

Jessy told me that in January of the new year, Sarah and Adrian and Jake will all return home.

After they come back, they'll take over their family companies and won't leave again.

Jessy said she's planning a welcome party to surprise them and asked if I'd go.

I refused.

I don't dare go.

They're all brilliant, radiant people. The distance between me and them has grown further and further...