In the year I loved Julian Thorne the most, I gave him the System's Magic Lamp of Wishes. He was so smitten, he said he wanted to have a child with me. I agreed with my words, but that very night, I faked my death and became his "white moonlight"—the one who got away, gone too soon. Six years later, the System found me, on the verge of a breakdown. "Host, the original target wants me to ask you: your son is in the operating room. Do you want to see him?" I remained calm. "I never had a child with him." The System sounded even more desperate. "The night you faked your death, he wished for a child with the Magic Lamp. The Lamp didn't give him one, so he went on a rampage. To maintain world stability, we gave him a child with both your genetic markers." "Now he's completely lost it. He told me to tell you that you must meet him today, or he'll pull the plug on your son's oxygen." Hearing this, I immediately transmigrated back to the original world. The System dropped me into a hospital room. A five-year-old child sat on the hospital bed. Seeing me appear out of nowhere, his pale, tender face showed only a hint of surprise. His round, dark eyes stared at me. Then, with one hand in his pocket, he coolly handed me a bank card. "I'll give you ten million dollars. Stay and be my mom." 1 The kid was handsome, with an arrogant demeanor exactly like Julian's. The System chimed in with an explanation. "Host, this is Leo, the child created from yours and the target's genetic match. He's six years old." Seeing the card Leo handed over, I was surprised. "You know me?" Leo stared straight at me, his eyes showing a maturity beyond his years. "I know you're my mom. I've seen you in the photo album in that man's safe." I was even more surprised. The child refused to call Julian "Dad." Was their relationship that bad? The System prompted: "The relationship between the target and the child is very distant. In the week since the child's surgery and hospitalization, he hasn't visited once." I frowned unconsciously. Julian was being way too irresponsible as a father. Leo was his child, after all. Leo looked at me, his small hand clutching tightly. "So, will you stay and be my mom?" I choked, not knowing how to answer. I knew Julian's temper. Years ago, when I was kidnapped, I had been gone from Julian for less than half an hour when he turned the whole city upside down. He broke the legs of all the kidnappers and left them on the roadside. Yet, looking calm as ever, he squatted down, held my hand, and wiped the places others had touched with a towel, over and over again. His love was as crazy and dark as he was. For me, he even wished for a child from a Magic Lamp. But I faked my death and left him for six whole years. If I agreed to stay, I would definitely run into Julian. I couldn't imagine what that madman would do when we met again. Seeing my silence, a flash of panic crossed Leo's eyes. "Is ten million not enough? How about a hundred million?" "I can write you an IOU. When I grow up, I'll pay you every cent." With that, Leo pulled out a piece of paper and grandly wrote several zeros, handing it to me to sign. The next second, a maid rushed in, dropped a bowl of medicine, snatched the IOU, tore it to shreds, and threw it in the trash. "Young master, you're confused! This is the nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-ninth bad woman who got plastic surgery to look like the Madam to trick you. I'll tear off her disguise right now!" Saying this, the maid rushed over to pull my hair. Ignoring his pain, Leo quickly climbed out of bed and blocked her, frowning and shouting. "Who told you to touch her? Do you think I can't even recognize my own mother?" The maid's lips trembled. "But Young Master, the Madam died six years ago. How could she be the Madam?" "Shut up! My mom isn't dead. That man said it himself, Mom is a 'Tasker.' She had to be his 'white moonlight,' so she faked her death to trick us." I was startled. Julian knew I was a Tasker. He was too smart; I couldn't hide it when I approached him, so I just told him. But I never revealed the plot. How did he know I had to be his "early-departed white moonlight"? Did he always know, or did he find out after I faked my death? "She is my mom! I finally met my mom. Get out! Don't touch her." Leo glared fiercely at the maid, protecting me like a beast guarding its cub. The maid was driven out of the room. Before leaving, I saw her making a call. Leo bit his lip and secretly wiped his tears, leaving a red rim around his eyes, which made my heart ache. "You pulled on your surgical wound, didn't you? Does it hurt?" Leo huffed, arrogant just like Julian. "It's just an appendectomy." I paused. Appendectomy? Then why did Julian make it sound so serious, threatening to pull the plug? I thought the kid was dying! The System spoke timidly, "Maybe he threatened you like that just to trick you into coming back?" It did sound like something Julian would do. I rubbed my throbbing temples. Looking at the child's pale face, my heart softened. Seeing the medicine on the table, I took a few steps, and Leo immediately grabbed the hem of my clothes tightly. "Mom... I-I'll write you another IOU. You can have as much money as you want. I'll definitely pay you. Please don't leave me, okay?" Seeing his pitiful look, so afraid I would abandon him, my heart turned to mush. I had just found out about his existence and met him for the first time, yet I genuinely felt the guilt of abandoning my husband and child. I picked him up and placed him on the hospital bed. "I'm not leaving, and I don't want an IOU. I'm going to get your medicine. If you take your medicine, the wound won't hurt anymore." He shook his head vigorously. "I don't hurt. I'm very tough." I said softly, "If you drink the medicine, I won't leave." Leo's dark eyes suddenly lit up. He took the medicine, pinched his nose, and drank it in one go, coughing as he choked. Then he grabbed my clothes tightly. "I drank it. You can't leave. You have to stay with me!" "Okay, I'll stay with you." "Swear it!" I was helpless. Like father, like son; they both loved making me swear. "I swear, I'll stay with you. Your wound hasn't healed yet. You need rest. Sleep now." I patted his back gently. Leo's ears turned red. He tried hard to keep his eyes open, examining me carefully, but eventually couldn't resist the drowsiness and fell asleep. His fingers, however, still gripped my sleeve tightly, refusing to let go. I stared at him, my heart softening inch by inch. Just then, the silent System suddenly issued an urgent alarm. "Host! Something happened to the original target!" I was startled. "What's wrong?" The next second, a large screen appeared in front of me. On the screen was the villa where Julian and I once lived. The living room was densely packed with wooden puppets. Julian sat in the center of the living room. His chiseled face was as handsome as it was six years ago. His distinct fingers held a carving knife, adjusting the curve of a puppet's earlobe bit by bit. As the last wood shaving fell to the floor, he murmured softly. "Serena, this is the two thousand and ninetieth you. I've waited for you every day for six years. Why won't you come back? Is it because I wasn't good enough that you left me?" His eyes were vacant. The eyes that were once full of ambition now held only despair and numbness. I was shaken, involuntarily recalling the first time I met Julian. He had been kicked out by his father. In the dead of winter, wearing only thin pajamas, covered in bruises, he walked barefoot towards the sea. Just like now, there was no light in his eyes. I desperately pulled him ashore and forced clothes onto him. He looked at me warily and asked in a hoarse voice. "Why did you save me?" I casually said, "Because I can see the future. I know you'll become a very powerful person later. Powerful enough to overturn the world." I wasn't exactly lying. He was the big villain in the book. As long as he survived the hardest times, he would be a man more powerful than the protagonist. Julian was suspicious by nature, but he believed me. Then, in just three years, he became the madman everyone talked about, unscrupulous for money and power. And I was his only weakness. I snapped back to reality, seeing Julian raise the carving knife and slice his fingertip without hesitation. Blood dotted the puppet's lips, completing the final touch. He smiled, his blood-stained fingertip tracing the puppet's face, his eyes full of obsession and satisfaction. "My Serena is so beautiful. Pity, no matter how much it looks like her, it's not her." I shivered. Following his gaze, my blood ran cold. The villa was filled with puppets, all looking exactly like me. Lifelike. It showed how dedicated and obsessed the carver was. Six years later, he seemed even crazier. 2 The System said: "Host, since you left, the target has shut himself up with your puppets all day, unwilling to part for a moment. Even when he was seriously ill and vomiting blood, he rushed back here overnight." I pursed my lips, guilt welling up. A knock sounded at the door. The rushing butler spoke cautiously. "Mr. Thorne, Nanny Wang couldn't reach you and asked me to tell you that another woman who looks like the Madam has appeared around the young master." "This time she's tricked the young master completely. He insists on recognizing her as his mother. The young master just had surgery and probably misses the Madam, so I'm a bit worried he'll be deceived by that woman. Should you... go see the young master?" Being suddenly interrupted, Julian's voice was displeased. "Let him recognize whoever he wants as his mom. Get out. Don't disturb me and my wife celebrating our anniversary." The butler sighed and left silently. My brows knitted tightly. Even more confused. Why was Julian's attitude towards his son so terrible? What exactly happened between father and son? "Sorry, I was a bit loud just now. Did I scare you?" Julian apologized in a low voice, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the puppet's hair, endless pain and loneliness flashing in his eyes. "Serena, I miss you so much. When will you come back to see me?" I unconsciously held my breath, afraid he would discover me. I asked the System. "He looks a bit crazy, but he's alive and kicking. What did you mean by 'something happened' just now?" Before the System could answer, a crimson red reflected on the screen. Julian unhesitatingly slit his wrist, watching coldly as blood soaked the puppet's dress. My pupils shrank violently. "What is he doing! Does he have a death wish?" The System spoke. "This is a ritual. It's said that on a couple's wedding anniversary, if one drips their blood on a puppet, the other half's soul will possess the puppet." "He might be trying to summon you back this way." I gritted my teeth. "What a lunatic." There wasn't a single servant inside or outside the villa now; the butler had just been driven away by Julian. His cut was deep. If this continued, he might really die here today. Panic grew in my heart, my voice trembling uncontrollably. "System, didn't you want me back to stabilize the world? If a powerful villain like Julian dies, what's the point of the protagonist in the book? A strong villain makes a strong protagonist. Think of a way to save him!" "Don't worry, Host. There is a way." The next second, the photo hanging on the wall smashed onto the table with a snap. The first aid kit bounced up and landed heavily at Julian's feet. That was the first aid kit I prepared for Julian a long time ago. At that time, Julian was always accidentally hurting himself, so I prepared a kit with all the medicines he commonly used. Julian froze as expected, his gaze falling on the puppet in front of him, eyes crazy and obsessed. "Serena, are you back?" Long silence. No answer. He pulled the corner of his mouth, laughing self-deprecatingly. "I really am crazy, actually thinking you would possess a puppet." The System announced good news. "Host, the time for the soul-summoning ritual has passed. If the target wants to cut his wrist and drip blood, he'll have to wait until next year." I looked at Julian. Sure enough, he threw away the knife in his hand, squatted down to pick up the bandage spilled from the kit, and wrapped it around his wrist loop by loop. I breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Julian's pale face, my heart ached a little more. "Does Julian bleed himself once every year after I left?" "Pretty much. But the cuts weren't this deep before. Maybe just for a moment just now, he really wanted to die for love." I fell silent, the guilt growing stronger. The System retracted the screen. My gaze returned to the hospital room. Leo beside me was curled up in a ball, clutching my hand tightly for fear I would leave. My heart softened unconsciously again. This was actually my child with Julian. He looked like him, and also very much like me. I couldn't help but smile. When the sun set, Leo woke up suddenly. Seeing his pale face, I gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked softly. "Did you have a nightmare?" Seeing me, Leo's eyes instantly turned red, and he buried his head in my arms. "Mom, it really is you. You really came back, and you really didn't leave." "You don't know, I just dreamed that the madman killed all the people who looked like you." Leo trembled slightly in my arms, gritting his teeth. "That man is not only crazy but also blind. He might not recognize you like I did. He might treat you like the others and kill you." Mentioning Julian, Leo's face was full of disgust and resistance. I genuinely didn't understand. Leo was raised by Julian. How could the father-son relationship be this bad? Just as I was about to ask, Leo jumped out of bed and looked at me seriously. "Mom, he's sick in the head. I know you left because you hated him too. But I'm normal. Why don't you take me with you? I can make money and do housework!" With that, Leo took out several bank cards from his schoolbag and stuffed them all into my hand. "There's a total of ten million in the cards. Although it's not much, I'll work hard to earn more later and support you for the rest of my life." Holding the bank cards, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Leo, why do you hate your dad so much and curse him like that?" Leo didn't answer. His warm little hand held mine, his voice softening a bit. "Mom, can I answer this question after we leave?" Seeing the slightly pleading look in Leo's eyes, my heart melted completely. "Okay, I promise you. Let's go." A flash of joy appeared in Leo's eyes. He held my hand and walked out, comforting me at the same time. "Mom, don't worry. I'll take you to escape and protect you... forever." Before he could finish, Leo suddenly bumped into a tall, solid wall of a person. My expression changed abruptly, and my steps halted. The man stared straight at me, lips slightly curved, charming yet weirdly dangerous. "Serena, you'd rather run with him than stay for me? Want to abandon me a second time, hmm?" 3 Julian had lost a lot of weight, appearing even more noble and cold. His gaze swept indifferently over Leo, finally landing on my face. "Serena, can we talk?" Leo shivered under his gaze, but still gritted his teeth and stood in front of me, looking at his father warily. "Don't think I don't know what you want to do. I warn you, don't even think about hurting her." I avoided Julian's gaze guiltily. Speaking of which, whether in the past or now, Julian had a clear conscience towards me. It was I who let him down time and again. Feeling even more guilty for no reason... The atmosphere was deadlocked. The System suddenly appeared, egging me on. "Host, news just came from headquarters. As long as the target's emotions stabilize, your mission is complete. This conversation is a very good opportunity." I nodded in agreement, finally looking at Julian and agreeing. "Okay, let's talk." Leo grabbed the hem of my clothes, his face full of worry. "Mom, don't go." I patted his head and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll be fine." Only then did Leo gently let go of my clothes. Watching Julian lead me away, he chased after us unwillingly. Just a few steps later, a nurse grabbed him. "Little one, where are you going? It's time for your injection." Leo said anxiously, "My mom, she..." "Okay, okay, after the injection, sister will take you to find your mom. Be good now, okay?" With that, without giving Leo a chance to speak, the nurse picked him up and walked towards the ward. I gave Leo a reassuring look. Julian suddenly spoke. "You care about that kid a lot?" His tone was sour with jealousy. I found it strange. "Leo is our child. How could I not care?" "Heh." Julian laughed self-deprecatingly. "So you'd rather listen to him and leave with him than come see me, right?" "Serena, do you know I waited for you for six whole years? How can your heart be so cruel?" Hearing Julian's trembling, hoarse voice, my heart felt blocked by a huge stone. "I'm sorry." Julian tightened his grip on my hand, harder and harder. "Serena, that's not what I want to hear." He suddenly quickened his pace, dragging me into an empty ward and pinning me against the wall. I felt a sense of doom and instinctively wanted to run. Julian grabbed me, pinning my hands tightly against the wall, his movements carrying irresistible force. He leaned close to my ear, his self-deprecating voice carrying an anger that couldn't be quelled. "You want to leave me that much, huh?" He kicked the door shut. The next second, Julian's lips pressed against mine without explanation, his breath hot enough to ignite the air. His intensity grew. I was kissed to the point of suffocation and turned my head away sharply, begging. "Julian, let go of me. It really hurts." Hearing my voice, his reason gradually returned, and he slowly let go of me. I dropped my hands. Julian saw the two red marks on my wrists where he had gripped them, and fully regained his senses. Guilt flashed in his eyes. "Sorry. I'll find you some medicine." I pulled him back. "It'll fade in a bit. Julian, what did you want to talk about?" Julian didn't answer but still found me the medicine. I was helped into a chair by Julian. He squatted in front of me, silently applying the ointment for me. I pursed my lips. Julian's suit sleeve rolled up slightly, revealing that shocking scar on his wrist. The bandage that should have been there was removed by him at some point. I grabbed his wrist. Julian's eyes flickered, and he immediately pulled down his sleeve, saying indifferently. "It's nothing. Accidentally cut it." How was this an accidental cut? It was clearly done by Julian himself when he was bloodletting for that ritual. Hearing Julian's indifferent tone, I was instantly furious. "Julian, do you cherish yourself so little?" Not expecting me to be so angry, Julian paused, then chuckled. "Serena, are you caring about me?" "What else? Julian, if I'm not by your side, can't you learn to cherish yourself?" I scolded him angrily. The moment our eyes met, I froze. Julian's eyes were red, the corners of his mouth raised in a smile. "You left so heartlessly back then. I thought you wouldn't feel sorry for me anymore." His words choked me up. I said dryly, "I didn't say I didn't feel sorry for you." I got up, found a bandage in the ward, and re-wrapped it for him. Afraid he would take it off again, I tied two knots specifically. "You are not allowed to take it off, do you hear me?" 4 Julian lowered his head and gave a hum of agreement. "I know. I have something to give you." I saw him take a bracelet out of his pocket and put it on my wrist. "This should be very important to you. It was accidentally thrown into the sea the day you left. After I picked it up, I kept it with me. It waited for you with me for six years." I raised my hand, slightly stunned. This was my mother's relic from the real world. Six years ago, the day I faked my death. The System wanted me to throw the suitcase into the sea to simulate suicide. I left in a hurry that day, so I accidentally put the bracelet in the suitcase too. After returning to the real world, I felt bad for a long time. I didn't expect that now, this bracelet had returned to my hands. I never mentioned to Julian that this bracelet was important to me, yet he keenly sensed it. My feelings were mixed. Seeing my surprise, Julian lowered his eyes and smiled. "You abandoned me and left. It's been six years, and I can't hate you at all." "Even if I know that all your kindness to me was just for the mission, I would still fall for it." Julian closed his eyes, two lines of clear tears falling, his tone self-deprecating. "Serena, am I stupid?" Less than two years after graduating from college, relying on his own ability and means, he leaped from being the neglected child of the Thorne family to the President Thorne everyone feared. He had money and power; everyone envied his success. But now, he insisted on begging for that worthless love from me. Julian, you really are stupid. A dense pain rose uncontrollably in my heart. I unconsciously raised my hand and wiped away his tears. "These six years, you've suffered." Julian turned his head away. "I didn't want to hear your apology, Serena." He paused, finally looking at me, eyes flickering. "Can you stay here and accompany me?" I fell silent. Back then, the System promised that after completing the mission, it would send me back to the real world and give me endless wealth. So at the beginning, every kindness I showed Julian was indeed just with the mindset of completing the mission. Even if I truly fell in love later, I didn't stay. After all, people's hearts change easily. Who knows if many years later, Julian would still love me as before? I trusted the money in my own hands more. Before I could speak, a shout came from outside the ward door. "Mom, I don't allow you to stay with him!" The door was slammed open. Leo stumbled in, stood in front of me, pointed at his dad and cursed. "Don't think I don't know what you're planning! Besides, this is my mom. Why should she stay with you? She should take me and leave together!" Julian frowned and sneered. "She is my wife. Why should she take you?" Leo also sneered. "But she didn't want you six years ago." These words stabbed Julian fiercely. A cold storm surged in his dark pupils. "Say that again?" Seeing the situation was bad, I covered Leo's mouth and scolded. "Enough, both of you shut up."
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