Natalie grabbed Marcus'' hand in hers, gentlyforting him. "Don''t worry. With my mentor here, Laura is doing well, and so are you. She''ll get through this."


    Natalie tugged Marcus to sit down. "I''ll untie one of her hands. You hold onto her. I believe she''d rather have you, not your father, be the one helping her through this."


    "Okay," Marcus agreed softly.


    He watched as Natalie untied Laura''s right hand. Instantly, he extended his hand to grip Laura''s.


    "Mom, it''s me, Marcus." His deep voice rang out. "You must be listening to me now, right?


    "When I was little, the first word I ever learned to call someone was ''Mom.'' Grandpa was the one who raised me most of the time, but when he got too busy, the helpers took over.


    "Jean was the one who took care of me back then. She taught me to say ''Mom'' and always told me how beautiful, gentle, and kind you were. When I got older, I asked if she had any pictures of you, but she just sadly shook her head. I didn''t understand, so I asked Grandpa. After that, he fired her.


    "I cried and begged Grandpa not to let Jean go, but he refused. He said that if a helper couldn''t take proper care of me, then she had no ce here.


    "When Jean left, I ran after her. She crouched down, hugged me, and told me a lot offorting words. She said my mother loves me a lot, and one day, I''ll be able to see her again. She told me to eat well, sleep well, grow strong, and study hard. Once I''m strong enough, no one in Holden Residence will ever dare to bully me again."


    Marcus'' voice echoed in the room, and Natalie listened in silence. While on the bed, tears slid soundlessly from the corners of Laura''s eyes.


    "Jean also told me that once I grew up, no one would be able to hurt us anymore."


    Marcus let out a soft chuckle. "I didn''t understand back then, but I never forgot Jean''s words to eat well, sleep well, study hard, grow strong, and make myself powerful.


    "Mom, I''ve grown up now. I can protect you."


    The tears in Laura''s eyes grew heavier, spilling down her cheeks.


    "Marcus, your words are getting through to Laura," Natalie murmured.


    Marcus took Laura''s hand and gently pressed it against his cheek. "I''ll wait for you


    to wake up, Mom. I''ve grown up, but you''ve never hugged me.


    "Mom, I need you. I''ve always longed for your love. Can I have what other children do?"


    As his voice faded, the hand he held quivered gently in response.


    A gag had been ced in Laura''s mouth to stop her from biting her tongue, but it also left her unable to speak.


    "Let''s remove the gag, Nat." Marcus met Natalie''s gaze. "I believe in her. For me, she won''t do anything to hurt herself."


    "Alright." Natalie carefully took out the gag.


    Then, a shaky sound escaped Laura''s lips.


    "Son... I...


    "I''m here, Marcus, my son..."


    Laura''s voice trembled, her words unsteady and fragmented. Although she spoke


    in broken sentences, Marcus and Natalie understood every word.


    "I love you... And I''m sorry..."


    Laura''s voice broke with emotion, words escaping in fragile gasps. Marcus'' eyes reddened. He drew a deep breath, suppressing his emotions as he spoke in a quiet voice.


    "Mom, the way you spoke to me when you told me not to cancel the engagement with the Walkers... it was harsh. It made me feel sad and hurt."


    "I... I''m sorry..."


    Laura''s body shook, and suddenly, her eyes flew open.


    "Marcus, I''m sorry. I''m so sorry."


    Laura burst into tears, her tear-blurred gaze fixed on Marcus. All she could manage was a broken "I''m sorry".


    "Mr. Langton, Laura is awake!" Natalie shouted in excitement.


    Walking out of the inner room, Federrick checked Laura''s pulse. After a moment


    of silence, he nodded. "Good, she''s nearly there."


    He turned to Natalie. "Nat, I''ve prepared the medicine, but acupuncture is also necessary. I''ll perform it once for you to see, and after that, you''ll be the one handling her care."


    "Okay. Thank you, Mr. Langton."


    Natalie''s eyes turned misty, and her voice wavered with emotion. But this time, it was from excitement.


    The treatment soon took ce behind closed doors, with just her and Federrick working on Laura. When Natalie saw what Laura expelled, her heart ached with sorrow.


    "Mr. Langton, Nat, thank you both." Laura looked at Federrick and Natalie, tears streaming down her face profusely. "Thank you so much. You''ve allowed me to live again."


    "Enough with the tears." Federrick


    ein


    sighed. "Your body isn''t strong right now. If you wear yourself out, your immune system will suffer, and if that results in breast-rted problems, you''ll only be making things worse for yourself.


    "Listen to Nat, take your medicine, and go through the acupuncture properly. You''ll recover soon. For now, you should stay here at The Herbalist''s Sanctuary. There''s no safer ce than my turf."


    "I understand. Thank you, Mr. Langton."


    Laura''s breath hitched as she choked back sobs. Natalie moved forward, carefully untying the ropes that bound her before offering a tissue to dry her tears.


    "Marcus, you stay with Laura. I''ll get some water for her to wash up."


    "I''ll get it." Marcus stood up. "You can stay with my mother, Nat."


    "You''re not as familiar with this ce as I am. Stay with Laura. I''ll handle it." Natalie''s tone was firm. "Okay?"


    "Marcus, keep mepany for a bit." Laura looked at him, her eyes clouding with


    emotions. "There''s so much I want to say to you."


    "Okay." Marcus sat back down. "Thanks, Nat."


    "No problem."


    Natalie left to bring back some


    water, white Marcus remained at the


    bedside, Laura''s body was frail, the


    aftereffects of the Umbrahex still


    weighing on her. Even lifting a hand was beyond her strength.


    "Marcus, I''m truly happy." Laura''s gaze softened. "You''ve grown into a fine man. And I know I was harsh when I told you not to call off the engagement. I''m sorry."


    Laura was struck with remorse. "I never meant to sound so harsh that day, Marcus. I was just hurting too much.


    "I should''ve been there for you. I didn''t even know who the girl you loved was.


    Your father just told me that Emma was a wonderful girl and that she truly cared


    for you."


    "She''s not the real daughter of the


    Walkers-Natalie is," Marcus


    1.n


    interrupted. "Emma is actually the daughter of the Walkers'' helper, Cindy And she''s taken her true surname back. Now, she''s Emma


    Metoney."