Stefan was a little dazed. He touched his chest subconsciously and thought, ‘It seems… my heart is


    still there. It’s still beating.’


    “Damn. What happened?” Stefan had a terrible headache. He couldn’t see and didn’t know where he


    was.


    Suddenly, he heard Francine’s miserable cries. “It’s Stef. It’s really Stef. He’s back! Oh, thank God!”


    Francine hugged him so tightly she almost crushed him.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    “Mom?” Stefan frowned slightly and called out, feeling unsure.


    “Son! I’m right here. You’ve suffered so much, my poor boy!” Francine said agitatedly. During the days


    of Stefan’s disappearance, Francine cried all day and night. She seemed to have aged ten years from


    crying so much.


    “Son, where the hell have you been all this time? We searched the whole of Beach City but couldn’t


    find you. Are you okay? Who had the audacity to do this to you? We must take revenge. Our family…”


    Francine started heatedly, but was soon interrupted by Stefan.


    “Mom, where am I now?”


    “Silly boy, where do you think? You drove home yourself. Don’t you recognize our gate?”


    “I didn’t drive back.”


    “What do you mean? Why are you in the driver’s seat then? Don’t you recognize your own home? It’s


    dark, but it’s not that hard to see at night? What… exactly have you been through?” Francine asked


    hesitantly.


    “I’m sorry, Mom, for making you worry,” Stefan said quietly. It seemed that Quinton had shown mercy


    and spared his life. However, it was very much unlike him. Could it be…


    Stefan felt worried at that thought. “Mom, do you have your phone? Call Seraphina for me and ask if


    she arrived home safely.”


    “Okay. That girl said she found out your whereabouts and swore to bring you back safely. I knew


    Seraphina was the most reliable…” Francine rambled on as she dialed Seraphina’s number.


    Coincidentally, Seraphina stumbled out of a taxi in front of the Hunt Residence.


    “Seraphina, over here! Stef is back!” Francine waved at Seraphina excitedly.


    “Miss Francine!” Seraphina’s legs went limp as soon as she saw Francine. She copsed on the


    ground and cried in despair.


    “What’s wrong? What’s the matter? The two of you… what have you been through? Were you hurt?”


    Francine held Seraphinafortingly. However, when she saw Seraphina’s torn clothes and bruised


    skin, uneasiness bloomed in her heart.


    “I-I’m fine. How is Stefan? Is he really back?” Seraphina asked incredulously.


    “Yes, but he’s acting strange. He drove home himself but asked me where he was. It’s as if he’s


    blind…” Francine paused abruptly, then her body turned cold at her sudden realization.


    “N-No. It can’t be…” Francine was afraid to face the truth. In fact, the entire Hunt family would be afraid


    to ept it!