The Wish That Wouldn't Let Go Chapter 2

The System said: "Host, since you left, the target has shut himself up with your puppets all day, unwilling to part for a moment. Even when he was seriously ill and vomiting blood, he rushed back here overnight."

I pursed my lips, guilt welling up.

A knock sounded at the door. The rushing butler spoke cautiously.

"Mr. Thorne, Nanny Wang couldn't reach you and asked me to tell you that another woman who looks like the Madam has appeared around the young master."

"This time she's tricked the young master completely. He insists on recognizing her as his mother. The young master just had surgery and probably misses the Madam, so I'm a bit worried he'll be deceived by that woman. Should you... go see the young master?"

Being suddenly interrupted, Julian's voice was displeased.

"Let him recognize whoever he wants as his mom. Get out. Don't disturb me and my wife celebrating our anniversary."

The butler sighed and left silently.

My brows knitted tightly.

Even more confused.

Why was Julian's attitude towards his son so terrible?

What exactly happened between father and son?

"Sorry, I was a bit loud just now. Did I scare you?"

Julian apologized in a low voice, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the puppet's hair, endless pain and loneliness flashing in his eyes.

"Serena, I miss you so much. When will you come back to see me?"

I unconsciously held my breath, afraid he would discover me.

I asked the System.

"He looks a bit crazy, but he's alive and kicking. What did you mean by 'something happened' just now?"

Before the System could answer, a crimson red reflected on the screen.

Julian unhesitatingly slit his wrist, watching coldly as blood soaked the puppet's dress.

My pupils shrank violently. "What is he doing! Does he have a death wish?"

The System spoke.

"This is a ritual. It's said that on a couple's wedding anniversary, if one drips their blood on a puppet, the other half's soul will possess the puppet."

"He might be trying to summon you back this way."

I gritted my teeth. "What a lunatic."

There wasn't a single servant inside or outside the villa now; the butler had just been driven away by Julian.

His cut was deep. If this continued, he might really die here today.

Panic grew in my heart, my voice trembling uncontrollably.

"System, didn't you want me back to stabilize the world? If a powerful villain like Julian dies, what's the point of the protagonist in the book? A strong villain makes a strong protagonist. Think of a way to save him!"

"Don't worry, Host. There is a way."

The next second, the photo hanging on the wall smashed onto the table with a snap. The first aid kit bounced up and landed heavily at Julian's feet.

That was the first aid kit I prepared for Julian a long time ago.

At that time, Julian was always accidentally hurting himself, so I prepared a kit with all the medicines he commonly used.

Julian froze as expected, his gaze falling on the puppet in front of him, eyes crazy and obsessed.

"Serena, are you back?"

Long silence. No answer.

He pulled the corner of his mouth, laughing self-deprecatingly.

"I really am crazy, actually thinking you would possess a puppet."

The System announced good news.

"Host, the time for the soul-summoning ritual has passed. If the target wants to cut his wrist and drip blood, he'll have to wait until next year."

I looked at Julian.

Sure enough, he threw away the knife in his hand, squatted down to pick up the bandage spilled from the kit, and wrapped it around his wrist loop by loop.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Julian's pale face, my heart ached a little more.

"Does Julian bleed himself once every year after I left?"

"Pretty much. But the cuts weren't this deep before. Maybe just for a moment just now, he really wanted to die for love."

I fell silent, the guilt growing stronger.

The System retracted the screen.

My gaze returned to the hospital room.

Leo beside me was curled up in a ball, clutching my hand tightly for fear I would leave.

My heart softened unconsciously again.

This was actually my child with Julian.

He looked like him, and also very much like me.

I couldn't help but smile.

When the sun set, Leo woke up suddenly.

Seeing his pale face, I gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked softly.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Seeing me, Leo's eyes instantly turned red, and he buried his head in my arms.

"Mom, it really is you. You really came back, and you really didn't leave."

"You don't know, I just dreamed that the madman killed all the people who looked like you."

Leo trembled slightly in my arms, gritting his teeth.

"That man is not only crazy but also blind. He might not recognize you like I did. He might treat you like the others and kill you."

Mentioning Julian, Leo's face was full of disgust and resistance.

I genuinely didn't understand.

Leo was raised by Julian. How could the father-son relationship be this bad?

Just as I was about to ask, Leo jumped out of bed and looked at me seriously.

"Mom, he's sick in the head. I know you left because you hated him too. But I'm normal. Why don't you take me with you? I can make money and do housework!"

With that, Leo took out several bank cards from his schoolbag and stuffed them all into my hand.

"There's a total of ten million in the cards. Although it's not much, I'll work hard to earn more later and support you for the rest of my life."

Holding the bank cards, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Leo, why do you hate your dad so much and curse him like that?"

Leo didn't answer. His warm little hand held mine, his voice softening a bit.

"Mom, can I answer this question after we leave?"

Seeing the slightly pleading look in Leo's eyes, my heart melted completely.

"Okay, I promise you. Let's go."

A flash of joy appeared in Leo's eyes. He held my hand and walked out, comforting me at the same time.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll take you to escape and protect you... forever."

Before he could finish, Leo suddenly bumped into a tall, solid wall of a person.

My expression changed abruptly, and my steps halted.

The man stared straight at me, lips slightly curved, charming yet weirdly dangerous.

"Serena, you'd rather run with him than stay for me? Want to abandon me a second time, hmm?"