28

"No need to worry, Mr. Johnsonreminded me repeatedly to take good care of you before he left." The caretaker noticed that something was wrong with the person on the sofa. "Did something happen today?"

"...Auntie Ada, could you please cook me a bowl of noodles?" Words of concern reached her, and Aileen realized she was feeling hungry; she hadn't eaten anything all day because she was rushing to her destination.

"Sure, I'll do that right away."

After freshening up and half-leaning on the bed, she picked up her phone. She wanted to call Geoffrey but felt that it might not be appropriate in the middle of the night.

Tossing and turning, her mind became clearer, so she propped herself up and slipped her snow-white feet into slippers. She decided to find a book to read in the study.

Half of the bookshelf contained Geoffrey's medical books, while the other half was filled with the inspirational literature she had replaced them with. Her eyes stopped at the seventh level of the bookshelf, where a piece of letterhead was inserted, extensively yellowed.

Wasn't this the letter that Ada found in the mailbox a few days ago? She thought Ada had thrown it away, but apparently, she kept it here. Her index finger picked up the letter, and the writing on the cover was now blurred, making it impossible to make out the original text.

The night brought her more patience, so she gently opened the letter. The handwriting was distorted but firm, indicating a sincere effort. Glancing at the greetings in the content, Aileen's pupils dilated.

Dear Miss Aileen,

Long time no see, I am Auntie Sandra.

She covered her mouth, and her arms broke out in goosebumps.

Auntie Sandra, the maid who resigned from their house seven years ago.

Also, she was Geoffrey's mother.

She continued reading further down.

Listening to the hospital nurse, I am overjoyed that you came to see me and still care about me. Seeing the news about the Taylor family on TV, I couldn't help but feel sorrowful. It's heartbreaking that our young miss has to bear all this burden; she must have suffered a lot.

Is Madam doing well?

If only I were in better health, I wouldn't have left the Taylor family during these difficult times. I hope you don't blame me.

In truth, there's something else I want to say in this letter.

Do you remember the photos we took together in the past? Actually, they weren't taken for my daughter but for my son. In this letter, I, this old woman, have finally softened a bit and am not afraid of you making fun of me. My son is the hope and pride of my life.

In my life, I've only known how to do rough work, without much education. I brought you into our conversation to have more topics to discuss with my son. Fortunately, he was willing to chat with me because of this.

Please forgive this humble wish of a mother.

Miss Aileen, life can be tough sometimes. Even in the most difficult days, I hope you can endure it with determination. I will pray for you from afar, and please send my regards to Madam.

Don't worry, take care.

The handwriting was crooked and fragmented, with tears falling onto the paper. Aunt Xia seemed to downplay her own illness but expressed concern for the Taylor family in every word. Over the years, Aileen had blamed her for thinking that Aunt Sandra, like all relatives, avoided them like snakes, leading to the loss of contact.

Covering her face with both hands, she even began to suspect that Aunt Sandra had done something wrong to the Taylor family with Geoffrey, feeling deeply ashamed of her own behavior.

Recalling the stories she heard in Dark Forest Town, Aunt Xia's life had been so bitter. Yet, in her memory, she always had a smile on her face, calling her "Miss Aileen" with affection.

Squatting down, she opened her phone's photo album. Overwhelmed with sadness, she focused on a photo of the mother and son.

Always burying her sadness deep inside...

In this aspect, Geoffrey was just like Aunt Sandra.

Deep longing surged in her heart, disregarding the appropriateness of the timing. She dialed his number, and the sound of "ringing" made Aileen feel like time was passing slowly for the first time.

Just as she was about to dismiss the thought, the call was answered.

"Aileen?"

"It's me. Are you asleep?"

"No, why aren't you sleeping so late?"

His voice was hoarse; she must have woken him up.

"When will you be back?"

Geoffrey paused, "It should be another two days."

"Geoffrey, I miss you."

Aileen 's voice with a nasal tone reached his ears. He furrowed his thick eyebrows slightly and spoke in a gentle tone, as if coaxing her, "After finishing my business, I'll come back right away. It's cold at night; don't walk around in your pajamas."

Seeing a moment of silence on the other end, he continued with seductive words, "I miss you too."

Aileen laughed through her tears, feeling like a resentful wife waiting for her husband to return. "Then come back soon; I have something to tell you."

"Well, when I return, there's something I want to tell you too."
After hanging up, Aileen obediently returned to her bedroom. The melancholy in her heart had subsided somewhat, but Geoffrey's figure lingered in her mind.

She missed him so much.

The first ray of morning sunlight spilled into the room through the window and reflected on the bed. The woman in the bed wrapped herself in the blanket, revealing only half of her face. Suddenly, her snow-white toes, exposed to the air, curled up slightly.

Feeling an itch on her face, as if warm air brushed past, she impatiently reached out to scratch it. Instead, her hand touched something furry and warm.

Her beautiful eyes opened, and before her was a smiling yet enigmatic handsome face. His deep blue eyes gazed at her affectionately, nearly making Aileen exclaim in surprise.

"When did you come back? Weren't you supposed to return tomorrow?" she asked.

Geoffrey revealed a cunning smile, seemingly satisfied with her reaction, as he lovingly ran his fingers through her soft hair. "Because my girl said she missed me, I came back a day early."

Aileen's ears turned red. She never expected the usually reserved man to tease her like this.

Soon, she also started laughing. But as she laughed, her eyes began to well up with tears. Embracing him with half-raised arms, she placed her hands around his neck. "I'm sorry for being so willful in the past. Thank you for always tolerating me. From now on, let me be the one to accommodate you, okay?"

Geoffrey stiffened, feeling a bit bewildered by her sudden gesture. "What's wrong? It's my duty to accommodate you, and you don't need to blame yourself."

Aileen buried her head in his chest, her voice muffled. "No, accommodation goes both ways... Geoffrey, I've fallen for you."

"What did you say?" his voice deepened, sounding astonished.

"I said, I love you."

After a moment, as if he just processed her words, his large hand tightened around her waist, as if trying to pull her into himself."Thank you for you love me, I will try my best to be your husband, Aileen."

"You said you had something to say too?"

"Yes," She raised her head.

Geoffrey gently held her face in his hands, his gaze focused. "I've waited for this day for a long time. So long that I almost lost hope deep in my heart. I know I'm not good at expressing myself, so I found a way to keep you by my side..."

Those blue eyes, just like when they first met, seemed bottomless, as if trying to see through her soul. Aileen's heart trembled a few times.

"Aileen, I found a way to cure you."

Seeing her dazed expression, he smiled. "Don't worry, I promise you it won't be illegal."

Holding her small hand in his palm, feeling the warmth it transmitted, he continued, "Shall we have another wedding?"

"Sure..." In her dreams, he had also made such a request.

The time since her coma in this life was less than half a month away from the time she lost consciousness in her previous life. Aileen had considered finding a place where no one knew her and waiting alone for that day to come.

But when he told her he found a way, she believed him.

Even if the outcome wasn't perfect, Aileen wanted to spend this brief life well with Geoffrey before her. Regardless of the past, she was willing to face the future with him.

"After you recover, shall we have a child?"

"Um, let's have two—one that looks like you and one that looks like me."

Geoffrey burst into hearty laughter. "It'd be best if they both looked like you."