Chapter 3

Entering Serenity's house, Nolan felt as if he was returning to his own home.

He even knew where the first-aid kit was kept.

Watching Nolan tend to Serenity with such devotion and care.

I sat on the couch, detached like an outsider, observing the scene with indifference.

Serenity's eyes were red, resembling a harmless little bunny.

She curled up in Nolan's arms pathetically, deliberately exposing the thin, narrow cut on her hand, and spoke in a soft, whimpering voice.

"Nolan, I thought I was going to die just now."

"Thank goodness you're here."

"We promised, remember? You can never leave me."

Nolan was nearly overcome with concern, nodding eagerly in agreement.

After a while, Serenity asked to see Nolan draw.

Nolan, who never drew in front of others, readily agreed.

He expertly directed me: "Go get the art supplies from the car."

Seeing that I hadn't moved for a while, Nolan frowned, looking at me with obvious displeasure, his warning clear.

Of course.

In Nolan's expectation, I should have treated his words as a royal decree by now, obediently going downstairs to fetch the art supplies.

Suddenly, Serenity burst into tears again.She nestled closer into Nolan's embrace, whimpering, "I don't want to see her."

"Make her leave!"

When Nolan snapped out of his anger and turned to face Serenity,

His expression instantly softened.

He gently brushed the stray hairs by Serenity's ear, speaking in a tender voice, "I still need to let her go downstairs to get the paint box."

Serenity buried her face in the crook of Nolan's neck, her voice muffled and sulky, "I just don't want to see her."

Before Nolan could react, I stood up and headed for the door.

Even though it was pouring rain outside, with the sky looking ominously dark.

As I approached the door, Nolan called out to stop me.

Undeniably, a small ripple of hope stirred in my heart.

But in the next second, his words completely chilled me to the core.