After two more days of rest, M''s throat finally began to heal. Speaking still


    brought a tickle, but at least she could talk normally again. The bruises on her neck hadn''t fully faded, yet a touch of concealer did the trick.


    Nothing that would stop her from going out.


    With Leonard apanying her, and gifts in hand, she set out for her appointment.


    She was meeting Johnnie.


    Both of them had a straightforward nature. They enjoyed a meal together, chatted about perfumes and the like, exchanged gifts, and parted ways.


    M was never the type to ept something without giving back. She could tell, just by the scent, that the perfume Johnnie gifted her was a rare find. Though she''d tried to refuse, she still insisted on bringing a small present of her own and picked up the lunch tab, just to show her thanks.


    Gift in hand, she headed straight to the old manor.


    Part of her reason was that she hadn''t seen Felicity in a few days—and she''d promised to bring her the perfume as soon as she got it. The other reason was Eugene; she wanted to see what she could do about his situation.


    To her surprise, Conrad was there as well.


    That saved her a trip to thepany headquarters. If she wanted to take Felicity out, it was only reasonable to discuss it with Conrad first-especially considering everything that had happened. As for Felicity, M knew she was desperate to leave the house.


    It wasn''t the first time the subject hade up.


    M understood why Conrad was so protective, why he kept Felicity cooped up. But if things kept going this way, Felicity''s condition would only improve so much, andtely her urge to get out had grown fiercer as her memories faded.


    M had brought it up before.


    Every time, she''d been turned down.


    So this time, she had little hope. But, unexpectedly, Conrad-seated behind his desk in the study-paused for a moment, then agreed.


    "What did you say?"


    M couldn''t quite believe her ears.


    He agreed?


    He actually agreed?


    The good newsnded so abruptly that she didn''t even have time to celebrate- she was stuck in disbelief.


    "Yes." Conrad''s expression didn''t change. "I''ve thought about it. Keeping her locked up isn''t a solution. It''ll drive anyone crazy. She needs to get outside, see the world. But we''ll have to be careful. I''ll handle the security arrangements."


    "Of course," M replied quickly.


    She was still a little dazed as she left the study. It wasn''t until she saw Felicity that she realized why Conrad had relented so easily this time.


    The moment she opened the bedroom door, a pillow came flying at her head, followed by a furious shout.


    "Get out! I don''t want to see you!"


    M ducked, picked up the pillow, and walked in with a grin. "Why are you so angry today?"


    "M!" From the mound of nkets on the bed, a fuzzy head popped out. Felicity scrambled off the bed, bare feet sinking into the thick rug as she hurried over, cheeks still flushed with indignation.


    "You have no idea. Conrad''s being a total jerk. He won''t even let me go


    back to my own house. My parents and brother must be under some kind of spell-whenever I call, Il, they just tell me to stay here and not make a fuss! How am I making a fuss? He''s the one keeping me locked up!"


    So that was it.


    No wonder Conrad was so agreeable this time.


    He couldn''t keep her contained anymore.


    "Don''t be mad—I brought you a gift, and I''ve got good news." M took Felicity''s hand and led the still-grumbling woman to the sofa.


    "What is it? Tell me!"


    Felicity''s curiosity always won out; she perked up immediately, eyes shining with anticipation.


    M remembered the perfume had just been taken by Conrad in the study-he wanted to have someone check the ingredients first, worried that Felicity might be allergic to something. M understood his caution, so she skipped mentioning the perfume and instead shared the news about going out.


    "Really?" Felicity''s eyes lit up, sparkling like blue ss.


    "Of course," M smiled back. "Let''s think about where we should go."


    "An amusement park!" Felicity replied without hesitation.


    M hesitated. For safety''s sake, both she and Conrad agreed Felicity could go out, but they''d have to avoid crowded ces and also. ces that were too deserted. An amusement park was out of the question-far too many people, and impossible to guarantee security.


    V.


    Renting out the whole park was an option, but that would defeat the point-they wanted Felicity to be around people, to feel life again.


    No, that wouldn''t work.


    As M was searching for a gentle way to say no, the bedroom door suddenly opened. Conrad stepped in, offering a small smile. "Alright. We''ll do it Felicity''s way. Let''s go to the amusement park."


    M fell silent.


    Felicity cheered, her mood instantly transformed. Even Conrad, for once, didn''t annoy her enough to get kicked out-she just gave him a sideways look and asked what he wanted.


    "It''s the gift M brought you," Conrad said, handing over the checked perfume bottle.


    "Oh, it''s that scent!" Felicity eximed.


    She spritzed it on the inside of her wrist; the air filled with the lush, elegant aroma of roses, with a note that made it unique-something that drew you in and made you want to breathe deeper, just like the fragrance she''d noticed on M days before.