"Madam, Mark, we''ve arrived."


    Benson killed the car engine, stepped out, and respectfully opened the door to escort them inside. "Those two over there are the owners of Scarlet Hill Residence my employer and his wife."


    Leading Natalie and Marcus forward, Benson bowed deeply and introduced them. "This is the miracle doctor and her assistant, Mark."


    "Madam, Mark, wee."


    From behind their mask, a hoarse male voice emerged. The taller of the two figures extended a gloved hand.


    "My apologies. We''re sensitive to the cold."


    "And how should I address the two of you?" Natalie''s voice carried the raspiness


    of an elderly woman. She, too, wore gloves as she lightly shook the man''s hand in greeting.


    She blocked Marcus from shaking hands with them.


    "You may call me West, and this is my wife, Rory." The man''s voice was rough as


    he gestured toward the entrance. "Please,e inside."


    Natalie nced at Marcus, signaling him to follow.


    Marcus, however, had remained silent since stepping out of the car. He hadn''t even bothered to survey the surroundings.


    His expression was dark.


    "Mark, carry my bag." Natalie had brought her usual canvas bag and handed it to him while taking pictures. He had been carrying it ever since.


    "Understood, madam."


    He changed the way he addressed her on his own. Calling her "Grandma" was something he simply couldn''t bring himself to do.


    Natalie paid no mind to the change in address and followed them into Scarlet Hill Residence.


    The residence was enclosed by towering walls, though its grounds were not particrly expansive. A three-story building built in traditional style stood at the center, with a garden in the front, a vegetable patch in the back, and a small artificial pond with a rockery.


    Surprisingly, there were no maple trees nted within the residence. Instead, various species of sulents and cacti filled the courtyard.


    In one corner along the wall, a cluster of vibrant red spider lilies bloomed.


    On the right side of the yard, two tall magnolia trees stood with a wooden swing set strung between them. The swing swayed gently in the breeze, asionally creaking as it moved.


    "This way, please."


    The masked figures led the way, while Benson respectfully ushered Natalie and Marcus inside.


    The interior was decorated in a ssical style, from the carved wooden furniture to the intricatetticework on the windows. It was evident that the owners had a fondness for traditional aesthetics.


    "Madam, Mark, please have a seat. I''ll prepare some tea for you."


    Benson motioned for them to sit. Across from them, the two masked figures settled into their seats. They remainedpletely covered, even wearing dark sunsses that concealed their eyes entirely.


    After the initial greeting at the entrance, the man hadn''t spoken another word.


    Natalie waited in silence. Soon, Benson returned with tea. "Madam, Mark, please enjoy."


    "Thank you."


    Natalie epted it politely.


    Marcus, however, remained silent.


    Finding this odd, Natalie turned to look at him, only to realize that he had been staring intently at something on the wall.


    Following his gaze, she saw it—a small golden locket.


    "Mark, wait outside with Mr. Jones. I need to speak privately with the patients." Her voice was calm yet firm.


    Marcus rose without protest. He gave the masked figures a slight nod before striding out.


    The masked man tapped lightly on the table. At the signal, Benson followed Marcus outside.


    Natalie wasted no time once the room was empty save for the three of them. "Thedy over here is the one who''s sick, isn''t she?"


    She set her teacup down. "I need to see her true condition in order to diagnose


    her properly. You''re covered from head to toe. I can''t examine you like this."


    The man nodded. He stood and pressed a switch on the wall. Instantly, all the windows shut, and the curtains slowly drew closed.


    "Let''s go upstairs."


    The masked woman spoke for the first time. Unlike the man, her voice wasn''t hoarse-but it was undeniably weary and weak.


    "Alright." Natalie followed her up the stairs.


    Neither the man nor the woman had questioned Natalie''s identity ever since she arrived. They hadn''t doubted her, tested her, or even hesitated in inviting her into their home.


    Something felt amiss.


    But Natalie said nothing, merely following the woman upstairs.


    The room they entered had no windows. It waspletely dark without the lights


    on.


    The woman shut the door behind them and turned on the lights. Then, she walked


    to the center of the room and slowly began removing heryers of covering.


    Beneath the heavy disguise, she wore a long white dress that


    reached her ankles. The fabric


    draped loosely, concealing her figure, making it difficult to see any abnormalities at first nce.


    Next, she carefully removed the artificialyers on her head one by one.


    Finally, her true appearance was revealed.


    Natalie froze.


    "Are you..." Her lips parted as if to ask, "Are you Marcus'' birth mother?"


    But she hesitated.


    Tears welled up in Laura''s eyes. She covered her mouth, stifling a sob, unwilling to let herself cry aloud.


    The son she had longed for day and night was right downstairs. He was close to her. Yet, she dared not call out to him.


    "No... This isn''t the same face as the one on the medical records you sent me."


    Natalie steadied herself, forcing her mind to clear. She had reviewed those records thoroughly. The patient''s photographs had been taken from every angle, and the


    woman in those images looked nothing like the one standing before her now.


    "It''s me." Laura''s voice trembled.


    "But there are only a few days each month when I look... somewhat normal like


    this."


    She choked back a sob. "Doctor, please... Please save me." Tears streamed


    down her face as she struggled to suppress her cries.


    Her son was just downstairs. Yet, she couldn''t let him see her like this.


    "I may look normal today, but I''ll be what you saw in the files tomorrow." She


    tried desperately to contain her emotions. "I want to see my child. I miss him so


    much.


    "I was never a good mother. I gave birth to him... and then this illness took hold of


    me. I never nursed him, never held him in my arms-not even once. All because I was afraid."


    Her voice cracked. Years of pain, regret, and longing threatened to consume her whole. She had spent so long suppressing these emotions. And she was terrified.


    She was terrified for too many reasons to count.


    Natalie had never expected that her first meeting with Marcus'' birth mother would unfold under such circumstances. Steeling herself, she stepped forward and gently helped Laura to a seat.


    "Madam, let me examine you first."


    "I''m afraid..." Laura instinctively took a step back. "I''m afraid my illness is contagious."


    "For years, my husband has taken me everywhere, seeking a cure. We''ve traveled far and wide.


    "In the end, I told him I loved scarlet poppies, so he brought me here." Tears streamed down Laura''s face. "Doctor, I''m out of options.


    "This illness won''t kill me, but it makes living feel worse than death."


    If not for her husband, Wesley''s unwavering support and the hope of one day recovering to reunite with Marcus, she might have chosen death long ago.