Chapter 662

Sergio's vision blurred as he slipped into unconsciousness. Outside the room, Hailey issued firm instructions while Sergio lay motionless on the bed. "Keep a close eye on Sergio. If he wakes up and tries to move, sedate him immediately. "He won't ever leave this hospital until his leg is fully healed!" "Yes, Mrs. Brooks Senior," they responded in unison. Sergio drifted in and out of consciousness, but his mind was still clinging to fragments of awareness. He realized that Hailey, the woman who had raised him since childhood, had drugged him. Again. Again? When had it happened before? Sergio felt like he was in a long, surreal dream. In that dream, Maeve was always there, trailing behind him. She often brought him lunch at the office just to create chance encounters. Her feelings were painfully obvious. How could he have not seen through her clumsy attempts to get close? But Hailey had drilled it into him from a young age—love was worthless. As the heir to the Brooks family, his future wife had to bring something to the table, something valuable to the family. He couldn't marry an actress like his father had, a mistake that had only brought shame to the family. Because of Sergio, Maeve hoped to win Hailey's favor and went out of her way to please her. Hailey was a calculating woman and saw the potential benefits. Despite the Scott family's decline, they still held valuable connections and a prestigious academic reputation. Maeve, as their daughter, was a suitable candidate for the future Mrs. Brooks. After all, a woman who was content to be a housewife was easier to control. Sergio despised the idea of an arranged marriage, but Maeve persisted. She started mimicking Clara's style and eventually lost her identity in the process. It wasn't until two months into their marriage that Sergio accidentally stumbled upon childhood photos of Maeve and realized she was the little girl he had met when he was 17. Maeve was very young at the time. Seeing her crying alone, the 17-year-old Sergio was reminded of his own parents' loss. His heart softened, and he took her hand and brought her home with him. Years later, he met the gentle and diligent Clara, who reminded him of the little girl Maeve had once been. Clara excelled in her studies and seemed destined to become a valuable asset to the Brooks family. But three months into their marriage, Maeve saw Clara as a potential rival, so she imitated her every move and caused a scandal in Seathburn. To avoid further disgrace, Sergio planned to send Clara abroad for further education. He never shared a bed with Maeve and ignored all her affection and passion. Now, as Sergio's consciousness floated above, his heart ached while watching these memories unfold. He desperately wanted to reach out to his past self and demand to demand what he had been thinking. But all he could do was be a helpless soul watching the shadows of his past life. He saw the light fade from Maeve's eyes as their conflicts deepened. And then, something terrible happened...