Sairenne’s Point of View
I couldn’t sleep the entire night, but I didn’t bother Xavier. I told Celestia yesterday that we would meet at the hospital today, but my fever worsened instead. My whole body felt hot, and my knees were weak.
It felt like something was deliberately preventing me from returning to my old life. Maybe—just maybe—I really won’t see my parents again, just like Celine said. If I had known everything would turn out this way, I would’ve preferred to disappear entirely, to vanish from this world as if I never existed.
A knock echoed from my bedroom door, so I turned toward it. When it opened, Xavier appeared—still smiling despite everything that had happened.
“Xavier? Why are you here?”
“I heard from Aunt Celeste that you had a fever, so I came to check on you. I just can’t let you stay here alone, can I?” he replied, lifting the hand holding a small medical kit. “I also heard you refused to go to the hospital.”
He stepped inside, closed the door, and walked over to me. He placed his hand on my forehead and nodded. “You really do have a fever.”
“Honestly, you didn’t have to come. I can take care of myself.”
He chuckled as he sat beside me on the bed and opened the medical kit. “I used to do this for Celestia whenever she got sick. Back then, she was stubborn. Instead of staying in bed, she’d roam every corner of this house. She was rebelling—but look at you. You may have her body now, but you’re not doing what she did. I can tell—you’re Sairenne.”
“But none of it matters anymore. I can’t go back. I’m sorry, Xavier.”
He paused and looked at me. The enthusiasm on his face faded, so I forced a smile. He must be deeply disappointed.
“Are you still going to continue your revenge, Renne?”
I shook my head. “No. But it looks like I won’t be able to return anyway. There are things I can’t undo. I’m sorry, Xavier—but you should go. Please don’t come back here anymore.”
“And what do you think you’re doing here?”
The door opened again, and the Red Queen herself appeared—wearing a neon-red coat and a matching red pencil skirt. Despite how miserable my day had been, I almost laughed at how aggressively red her outfit was.
“You have a visitor downstairs, Celestia. I don’t know what you did, but it seems like you’ve messed something up.”
“Who’s there, Aunt?” Xavier asked.
Was Celestia angry? Did she come storming in because I didn’t show up today?
“I don’t care who the visitor is. Fix whatever this is—now! I don’t want things like this happening in my house!”
I pulled the blanket off and slid off the bed. When I stood up, my weak knees almost gave out, but Xavier caught me in time.
“I’ll handle it, Aunt. Let Celestia rest first. A lot has happened recently—she needs to recover.”
If this were really Celestia, I should tell her everything I know—why I didn’t show up, and why I couldn’t. I don’t know if she’d forgive me, but I want her to know that I love Mama and Ruxe. The problem is, I’m trapped in this situation.
I shook my head and looked at Xavier. “No. It’s fine. I’ll go.”
“Renne…” he murmured.
I smiled faintly.
Using what little strength I had left, I stood properly and stepped away from him. “Just wait here. I’ll talk to my visitor for a bit. Don’t worry—I’ll call you if I need help.”
“Hurry up, Celestia!” Celeste shouted.
I didn’t wait for Xavier’s reply and followed Celeste downstairs. She led me to the family garden, where roses bloomed all around.
I froze the moment I saw who was waiting.
My heart clenched as I stared at him—wearing an expensive tuxedo while my mother lay in a hospital bed. The audacity he had to show up.
“Why did you stop, Celestia? Hurry up!”
“No. You can go back. I’ll deal with this man,” I said.
Celeste rolled her eyes and walked back inside.
I took a deep breath and approached the man I’d wanted to see for so long—the most irresponsible man on earth. I couldn’t even stomach thinking about his name.
He stood when he saw me and extended his hand for a handshake. I slapped it away.
“I don’t need a handshake from someone like you.”
He nodded and sat down at one of the chairs around a small circular glass table.
“So you’re the one Revecca wanted to bring into our family. Why did you refuse? And how did you learn about my first wife?”
I laughed bitterly. How pitiful this man was.
“Isn’t it obvious how I found out you abandoned your first family—and your two children—for money? You even left their mother immobilized and offered no help at all. Your son couldn’t—”
“I loved them… but I made a mistake. Something happened between me and Revecca—”
I grabbed a glass and hurled it to the floor, shattering it. He stopped talking but maintained his calm composure.
How dare he?
“But that doesn’t erase the fact that you left us! You chose that ill-mannered woman and let her trample over us! You will never step inside this house again, nor will you ever force Celestia to marry into your family—unless you want me to destroy your already rotten reputation in front of those who still believe you’re a good father! Get out while I’m still being kind. I will never approach you again—but I’ll make sure you regret abandoning us.”
Confusion flashed in his eyes, and I laughed softly.
“That’s what Sairenne would say if she were standing in front of you right now. So leave—while I’m still being kind.”
He didn’t say another word and walked away.
Even after shouting at him, I didn’t feel satisfied—because that wasn’t what I truly wanted. I just wanted to return and see my parents again.
“Are you satisfied, Sairenne?”
I turned toward the garden and saw Celia picking roses.
“You really do hate him.”