?


    "Forget about me, Stephie. I want you to live an untainted life, enjoying simple and carefree days under the sun," Steven said in an earnest tone, expressing his hopes for my future.


    He told me to forget about him, but I didn''t want to.


    "Just sleep for now, Stephie. Everything will be alright-it will," he said, voice growing hoarser.


    I could feel him hugging me tight. I could also feel the syringe being injected into my body.


    Steven continued, "I wanted to be selfish and keep you for myself for longer, Stephie. I had wanted the four of us to settle down in the mountains for a little while, but it''s toote now. Jimmy has already shown his hand, and the Rebels have exposed theboratory in the deste area through Maya.


    "Everything has changed overnight, and now is the crucial time for the Rebels to strike at Genome Society. Everything... will be alright once you regain consciousness. His voice grew fainter and fainter until I could no longer hear him.


    My soul felt incredibly heavy, and I couldn''t open my eyes. I remained trapped in confusion.


    I could feel his endless despair. I wanted to hug him, but I couldn''t.


    "Have you made up your mind, Dad?'' I could vaguely hear Ashton''s voice from afar amidst my daze. "Can you... not leave us, Dad?"


    "Remember to protect your mom and always stay by her side,'' Steven instructed.


    Suddenly, fear and anxiety struck me hard, and I struggled with all my might. Everything seemed to being to an end, but why was I afraid of such a feeling?


    I struggled hard, trying to regain consciousness to stop Steven, but I couldn''t do anything anymore.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    I remained in confusion for the longest time-dazed and unable to distinguish time and space.


    My mind was nk, as if I had forgotten many things.


    "Stephie?"


    I heard someone calling my name in a daze. It was a familiar voice.


    "Wake up, Stephanie. Did you forget we''re supposed to bring the kids to the beach today?"


    I rubbed my aching forehead and tried to open my eyes. The sunlight was blinding, and a tall figure stood by the bedside to block the harsh light.


    He was standing against the light, but I could make out his face. For a moment, I felt disoriented and found him unfamiliar.


    "What''s wrong?" The man seemed worried about me as he touched my forehead. "You don''t have a fever, Stephanie. It''s time to get up."


    I propped myself up with my elbows and looked at him. "How long have I been asleep... Michael?"


    He shed me a smile and replied, "You''ve been knocked out for 12 hours. You stayed up to y with the kids until 2:00 am and refused to get up in the morning."


    I smiled as a memory shed in my mind.


    I was freely running in the field with my two kids and a dog. The weather was perfect, and we yed until sunset. We then went into the forest to catch some fireflies and stargaze.


    And then... the stars were covered by clouds and disappeared from sight.


    "Did it rainst night?" I asked. My memory ended with the starry sky being covered by clouds.