It was the same first-aid kit that I had prepared for Caleb a long time ago. He tended to accidentally hurt himself, so I prepared a first-aid kit for him and stocked it with items he would regularly use.

As expected, Caleb was stunned. His eyes were crazed and obsessed when he looked at the wooden doll in front of him. "Did you come back, Lena?" he asked.

His question went unanswered, no matter how long he waited. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he barked out a self-deprecating laugh. "I really must have gone insane. I really thought your soul entered the doll."

The system sounded elated as it gave its next report. "Ms. Rockworth, the timing for the soul-summoning ritual has passed. Even if Mr. Finley wants to slice his wrists and sacrifice his blood, he'll have to wait until next year."

I looked at Caleb. He had thrown the carving knife aside in favor of kneeling to grab the bandages in the first-aid kit, wrapping them around his wrist. I breathed out a sigh of relief, but I couldn't help the pain that gripped my heart when I took in his pale complexion.

"Don't tell me that Caleb has tried to sacrifice his blood every year since I left?"

"Correct. But he never cut himself so deeply in the past. It is likely that he truly wanted to sacrifice his life at that moment earlier."

I fell silent as the regret brewing within me intensified while the system removed the screen. My gaze returned to Arthur, who had curled up into a ball. He was still grabbing my hand tightly as if he were afraid I would leave.

I could feel my heart softening once more. It was hard to believe that he was my child and Caleb's. He looked a lot like Caleb, but he also looked a lot like me. I couldn't help but smile.

Arthur suddenly jolted awake when the sun was setting.

I gently wiped away the sweat beading on his forehead. As I took in his face that had turned as white as a sheet, I asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"

Arthur's eyes reddened in an instant when he looked at me. He then threw himself headfirst into my embrace. "It really is you, Mommy. You really came back, and you didn't leave. I dreamed that the madman had everyone who looked like you killed."

He was trembling slightly in my arms as he spat the words out through clenched teeth, "Not only is that man insane, but he's also blind. He might not be able to recognize you like me. He might assume you're like the others and have you killed."

His eyes were filled with loathing and repulsion at the mention of Caleb. I truly didn't understand how their relationship had deteriorated so badly when Caleb was the one who raised Arthur. I was about to ask Arthur for more details when he leaped off the bed and pinned me with a serious look.

"He's sick in the head, Mommy. I know you must have left because you hated him. I'm very normal, so why don't you take me away with you? I know how to earn money, and I know how to do chores too!"

He rummaged through his bag and pulled out several cards before pressing them into my hands. "There's a total of ten million dollars in these cards. It's not much, but I can work hard to earn more and take care of you for the rest of your life."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I held the cards. Instead, I asked, "Arthur, why do you hate your father so much? Why would you speak ill of him?"

Arthur didn't answer immediately. He pulled me closer with his warm and tiny hands before whispering, "I'll answer your questions after we leave, okay, Mommy?"

My heart completely melted as I looked into his pleading eyes. "Okay. I'll do as you wish. Let's go."

Joy flickered in Arthur's eyes. He grabbed my hand and dragged me outside. "Don't worry, Mommy. I'll help you escape, and I'll protect you forever. You—"

He ran into a tall and solid body before he could finish his sentence.

Meanwhile, my expression twisted as my feet froze in place. Caleb's lips were curled upward slightly as he stared at me. He was carrying himself with a charming demeanor, but there was also a strange sense of danger in the air around him.

"You'd rather run away with him than stay for me, Lena? Do you really want to abandon me for the second time so badly?"