Chapter 6 Will Be Happy

He refused to believe it. If Sophia were dead, why had John... Accepted the card and thanked him? Moreover, Joshua couldn't detect the slightest change in John's expression. "You must have misheard. It can't be the same person," Joshua said. "No, I'm sure of it. I have a vivid impression of her. I can't bear to think that someone who greeted me just a while ago has suddenly..." The voice on the other end trailed off, and Joshua comforted, "Don't overthink it. I'll be home soon." After saying that, he glanced back at the entrance of the Tengwen Chamber of Commerce and caught sight of John coming out. He adjusted his suit and wristwatch, then bent down to get into the car, looking no different from usual. ... Charles was driving, his gaze falling on the person in the rearview mirror. John was on the phone, but it seemed that the other party wasn't answering. He tried calling several more times. "Mr. John, about the Browns..." Charles hesitated. John responded, "That kind of dirt needs to be cleaned up." The next day, the head of the Brown family was taken away by the police, as they had discovered his involvement in a homicide case more than a decade ago. Charles received a message from John saying he wouldn't be coming to the office today. In the late afternoon, Charles received the cooperation proposal from Joshua's secretary and drove to find John. It was exceptionally hot today, and the moment Charles stepped out of the air-conditioned car, he felt like he was being cooked alive. He knocked on the door several times, but no one answered. Charles called John, but there was no answer either. He tucked the folder under his arm and entered the password to unlock the door. No one was in the living room, but Charles noticed many balloons on the table and a huge bouquet of red roses on the sofa. He took a couple of steps forward and found two bottles of red wine and two glasses set on the dining table. Charles sensed something was off. Had the CEO brought someone back? But wasn't Miss Sophia in the hospital? Besides, he didn't think the CEO liked Miss Sophia that way; he only considered her his savior. Charles quickly ran up the stairs. "Mr. John?" He peered into the hallway. Clang! Something heavy fell, and Charles's expression changed as he ran toward the sound. John was in Sophia's bedroom, with a ladder in the center. John was standing on it, a pen tucked behind his ear. He looked surprised to see Charles rushing in panic. Charles looked down and saw a roller brush lying quietly on the ground. John held the balloons in his hand and said, "You're just in time. Hand me the brush." Charles walked over, puzzled. "What are you doing, Mr. John?" "Sophia's birthday is today. When we first started dating, she told me she wanted to see the stars every time she opened her eyes," John smiled. Those words made Charles freeze in mid-air while handing over the hammer to John. He finally realized what was wrong. Sophia was dead. Why would they celebrate her birthday if she was dead? "What are you standing there for?" John was dissatisfied with his slow movements and bent down to take the item from his hand. He painted the ceiling a dark blue color. "Tell Mrs. Kimberly to go home. I want to cook tonight," John said. John came down the ladder, moved aside, and climbed back up. Charles opened his mouth, "Alright." Aunt Kimberly had been sent home a couple of days ago. Didn't he remember? Charles was somewhat confused, but soon he put the folder and coat away and rushed into the bedroom. "Let me do it, Mr. John," Charles offered. John laughed at him, "Can you draw stars?" Charles shook his head. "I won't be going to the office next week. You'll handle my affairs," John continued painting without stopping. "I'm taking Sophia to the Alps." "Do you need me to prepare a bag for you?" Charles asked, looking up. John hesitated, "What bag?" Charles gasped, "For the ashes..." John: "The country doesn't allow climbing the Alps. No need to prepare a backpack. What did you say? What ashes?" Charles shut up. Something was definitely wrong. Very wrong. "Didn't you say Mrs. John was unwell?" Charles asked tentatively. John smiled, "It's cold there, so just prepare some warm clothes. I'll take care of it. You don't have to." Charles's arm hairs stood up. "Where did Mrs. John go, then?" John hesitated for a rare moment, thought for a long time, and shook his head, "She didn't tell me." Then he smiled again, "But she'll be back tonight." She's timid and wouldn't stay out late. Charles left the Jones residence. He had a friend who was a psychologist and had intended to reach out, but thinking about John's identity, he hesitated for a long time before contacting John's father. John believed Sophia was still alive. He was showing symptoms of delusion. Perhaps... he was having some mental issues. After finishing painting, John took off his gloves and walked outside. He saw a contract on the table and glanced at it. Had Charles come to deliver the contract? How could he be so careless and forget to mention it? He had also carelessly left his coat here. John shook his head, carefully moved the flowers, sat down, and flipped through the contract. The phone in the bedroom on the second floor was ringing, but John didn't hear it. Emily had woken up the day before. She hadn't contacted John, thinking she would see him soon, but she hadn't seen him until now, and his phone went unanswered. The doctor said she needed to stay in the hospital for further observation to see if her heart showed any rejection. Emily kept calling, but to no avail. Right, there was also Charles. Charles must know where John was. Charles had just ended his call with John's father when Emily called. "Where is John?" Emily asked. Charles replied, "Mr. John is at home." Preparing a surprise for Sophia's birthday... "Why isn't he answering my calls?" Emily complained. "I don't know," Charles said. He was on John's side after all, and he wouldn't tell anyone about John's condition except for his closest people. Charles's vague response made Emily feel a bit panicked. Had John and Sophia reconciled while she was in the hospital? What about her? What should she do? ... John waited until it was dark, but Sophia didn't return and didn't answer her phone. He opened Facebook and sent Sophia a message. "Where are you?" "When will you be back?" "I made your favorite pork ribs. They'll get cold if you don't come back soon." "Sophia, it's your birthday today. Happy birthday." A rustling sound came from outside, and a purple lightning flash appeared in the sky. John's expression tightened as he grabbed his car keys and walked towards door. Sophia was terrified of thunder, so he had to go pick her up. After changing his shoes, John looked at the door and fell silent. Where should he go to pick her up? Just as he was lost in thought, someone knocked on the door. John's lips curled up into a smile as he opened the door, "Why did you take so long? Are you cold... Wait, why are you here?" Emily stood at the door, wearing a hospital gown with a coat over it. She didn't look well. "John, why haven't you come to see me?" She had taken a taxi, but she still got caught in the rain on the way to the Jones residence. She had snuck out while the nurse wasn't looking, and now she was feeling unwell. Her wound hurt, and her body ached. Emily glanced into the house but didn't see Sophia. However, she smelled roses and saw many red balloons hanging from the ceiling. What day was it today? Emily quickly realized it was Sophia's birthday. They had reconciled, indeed. Emily felt wronged and bit down on her lower lip. A sharp pain shot through her heart, causing her pupils to dilate. She collapsed to the ground before she could say anything. John's expression changed as he picked her up and ran towards the car. He still cared about her, Emily thought, before losing consciousness. In a daze, she could hear voices outside. "You must save her..." "...The heart can't..." "...Protect the heart..." She couldn't hear everything the people outside were saying, but she kept hearing about the heart. Her conscious mind knew it was John's voice. She had a heart condition. That's why John was saying this, right? Outside the hospital room. John told the attending doctor, "You must save her. She can't die." "The heart inside her can't be harmed." "Protect the heart, above all else, protect the heart." These words echoed in his mind as he thought of the heart belonging to his late wife. It was only natural for him to feel this concern, for after all, she had turned to dust, leaving behind only a beating heart within someone else's body as her sole trace in this world. Edward and Margaret rushed to the hospital and met John in the hallway. John looked surprised. "Dad, Mom, why are you here?" Margaret's eyes were a bit red as she replied, "We missed you and came to see you." Edward glanced at the attending physician, who nodded in understanding and quickly left. "I've arranged for a psychologist for you. You're going to see them now," Edward said, his face darkening slightly. John's eyes chilled in response, "What do you mean?" Edward demanded, "What have you prepared at home?" Before coming to the hospital, they had visited John's place and found it filled with preparations he had made. Aunt Kimberly wasn't there, but there were even ribs cooking in the kitchen, and two wine glasses and sets of tableware on the table. "It's Sophia's birthday," John said, his lips pressed tightly together. His hair shadowed his eyelids, giving him a piercing gaze that was hard to withstand, even for his father. "Dead people don't celebrate birthdays," Edward sneered. Seeing John's disturbed expression, Margaret pinched Edward's arm. John's eyes narrowed, "Who did you say is dead?" His fists clenched, "Even if I were dead, she wouldn't be." "Sophia is three years younger than me, and she's always been healthy." Edward trembled with anger, "You must be crazy." He had doubted Charles's words over the phone, but now he was convinced that there was something wrong with John's mind. Edward dialed a number, "Come here and take John to the car." Soon, Edward's men arrived. John glanced around and rolled up his sleeves. Punch after punch, Edward's men fell to the ground, bloodied. "Come on," John clenched his fists. Edward gritted his teeth and swung his cane, hitting John's neck. John groaned. Margaret hurriedly tried to stop him, tears falling for John, her heart aching.