Chapter 341 Will You Stop Caring About Me?
After the chess game, Daphne cut off contact with Charles.
She stared at her phone, debating whether to call Marcus. After a few minutes, she decided not to.
Calling Marcus now might make him think Charles put her up to it, making him feel awkward.
Better to call tomorrow. Wishing him a Merry Christmas then wouldn't seem weird.
With that settled, Daphne put her thoughts aside and went downstairs.
The next day, Daphne had lunch with Lydia and Alexander at the Phillips' place. In the evening, they returned to the Murphy Mansion for dinner. The Murphy family wasn't big, just enough to fill a table.
Surprisingly, Sean didn't criticize Daphne this year.
The family had a lively and harmonious meal.
After dinner, Daphne called Marcus to wish him well.
Marcus was thrilled, chatting endlessly and sharing many blessings.
They talked for about an hour before Marcus reluctantly hung up.
Around eleven, Sean had already gone to bed. Lydia saw Daphne staring at the fireworks and asked, "Daphne, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Daphne said, watching the fireworks bloom.
This was her first Christmas at home since Jasmine passed away. The past two years, she spent it with the Lancelot family. It was lively but not as nostalgic as this moment.
Lydia linked arms with her. "Even if you don't say it, I know you're thinking about Mom."
Daphne paused.
"The past two years when you weren't here, Dad and I missed Mom and you," Lydia continued, "We often wondered if you were doing well."
"Daphne," Lydia called.
"Yes?" Daphne replied.
"In a little over twenty days, it's your birthday," Lydia remembered. "Do you have any wishes?"
"No," Daphne said. Birthdays didn't mean much to her anymore.
The older she got, the less she cared.
But Lydia wanted to celebrate. She was about to share her thoughts when Nick's call interrupted.
Daphne didn't disturb their call and wandered off.
She received four private messages, all wishing her a Merry Christmas.
One was from Charles, another from Benjamin, and the other two from Daisy and Jesse.
The group chat was already buzzing with messages.
Daphne replied to the private messages and said a few words in the group chat, officially welcoming Christmas.
When Daphne woke up, the first message she saw was another Christmas greeting from Charles, followed by his question: [Daphne, when are you coming to pick me up?]
Seeing the message, Daphne didn't want to reply.
Marcus and Laura would definitely want Charles to stay home a bit longer. If she took him away now, Marcus would be upset.
But ignoring Charles didn't mean he wouldn't keep trying to contact her.
Around two or three in the afternoon, Charles called. "Daphne, Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas," Daphne replied.
"When are you coming to pick me up?" Charles asked directly. "Tomorrow's the second day of Christmas. Morning or afternoon?"
"Can it be a couple of days later?" Daphne asked.
Charles went silent, his eyes showing a mix of emotions. He seemed quite obsessive but hid it well. "Don't you want me anymore?"
"No," Daphne said calmly, looking at the snow outside. "You rarely get to go home. Laura and Marcus must miss you a lot. If you leave so soon, what will they do?"
"Then when should I come back?" Charles asked again.
"How about in a week?" Daphne suggested. "I'll come to pick you up in a week."
Charles said, "Then I want a reward!"
"Okay," Daphne agreed.
After convincing Charles, Daphne felt a bit relieved.
Time flew by, and a week passed in no time.
Daphne went to Ivrea City to pick him up as promised. When Charles saw her, he was as happy as a child and rushed towards her. "Daphne!"
Daphne stopped him with one hand.
Charles halted in front of her, looking confused. "What are you doing?"
"Keep some distance between the opposite sexes," Daphne said, putting down her hand. "You can't just..."
Before she could finish saying "hug," Charles quickly hugged her.
Daphne reflexively wanted to push him away, but he let go just before she could, smiling innocently. "Reward."
Daphne was puzzled. "What?"
"Didn't you say if I stayed home for another week, you'd give me a reward?" Charles explained. "The reward I want is your hug."
Daphne stood there, unsure how to react. She had promised a reward but thought he meant something else.
"Let's go back to Gedser," Charles said, pulling her along.
On the way back, Charles kept talking, recounting everything that had happened to him recently.
Daphne occasionally responded with a "hmm," her emotions very subdued.
Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Charles asked, "Daphne, do you not want to hear me talk?"
"No," Daphne explained. "I was just thinking about when to take you to see Brian for a check-up."
Charles's mood subtly shifted. Did she just want him to recover?
He suddenly had an idea and asked, "Daphne, if I never recover, will you stop caring for me?"
"Why would you say that?" Daphne was confused.
"No one would want to take care of a burden like me forever, right?" Charles's eyes dimmed. "If my mind doesn't recover and I have no memory, wouldn't I be a burden in the long run?"
"Don't overthink," Daphne comforted. "You will recover."
After arriving in Gedser, Daphne settled Charles in and then called Brian.
When she called, Brian was at Richard's house, sporting a bruised and swollen face.
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