During Aoife’s hospitalization, Finn discovered the truth behind the leaking video footage.
In reality, there was no need for an investigation. It was clear upon a moment’s reflection.
The filming team Finn had hired had signed a nondisclosure agreement, so naturally, they were the ones to blame for the leaked video.
One of the team leaders had already fled abroad, managing to keep everything under wraps. Only someone like Old Burns would have the audacity to pry information from Finn.
However, based on Finn’s knowledge of Old Burns, he didn’t seem like the type to orchestrate such a scheme.
While the video was obtained by Old Burns, the individual who leaked it was not necessarily him.
Sure enough, Finn’s inquiries led to some clues, all pointing towards the Dankworth family.
Lily.
He had almost forgotten about this woman.
Thinking about the Dankworth family, Finn furrowed his brow, his head throbbing in discomfort, unable to find peace.
He acknowledged that he had treated the Dankworth family unfairly. He had promised to marry into the family but had abandoned the engagement, resulting in humiliation for the Dankworth family.
Lily had every right to be angry and resentful towards him, but she shouldn’t have targeted Aoife. In this whole situation, Aoife was the most innocent.
If anyone was to blame, it was himself. If he hadn’t pressured Aoife to film that video in the first place, it wouldn’t have been leaked.
The leaked video had been swiftly bought back by Finn, but as for the Dankworth family, he felt obligated to warn them, lest they reach into forbidden territory again.
After two months of hospitalization, Aoife was now ready to be discharged. Finn took her back to North Bankshire, where he had the house refurbished.
“Ethan, where are we going?” Aoife inquired.
“We’re going home,” Finn replied.
“Home” was a foreign concept to Aoife now. Subconsciously, she felt like she was someone without a home.
Dozing off in the car, Aoife awoke to find herself in North Bankshire. Seeing her sleeping soundly, Finn gently opened the car door and carefully lifted her into his arms.
Instinctively, Aoife raised her hand and hooked it around Finn’s neck, snuggling against his shoulder affectionately, resembling a cat.
“Are we home?” she asked.
“We are,” Finn affirmed.
Rubbing her tired eyes, Aoife took in her surroundings.
“It’s beautiful.” She registered that this was now her home.
“As long as you like it,” Finn replied.
He remembered her saying the same thing the first time he had brought her here.
Beautiful as it seemed, the home she once found mesmerizing had become a gilded cage, confining her.
Observing Aoife’s innocent expression, Finn’s heart ached.
Aoife had regressed to a childlike state, her intelligence reduced to that of a two-year-old. Her responses were delayed, her memory faltered, and she often drifted off into a daze, smirking foolishly. She needed assistance with eating, taking medication, getting dressed, using the restroom, and sometimes even wetting the bed. She was averse to strangers touching her, tasks that Finn took on-bathing her, grooming her, feeding her… She could barely walk now, and most of the time, Finn carried her or wheeled her around.
Although Finn’s own legs weren’t fully healed, he endured in silence, never revealing a hint of pain on his face.
Watching him limp as he walked, Aoife asked, “Ethan, is your foot still hurting?”
“It no longer hurts. None of my injuries compare to the pain you endure,” Finn reassured her.
The basement at North Bankshire had been cleared out by Finn’s instructions, as he feared Aoife might accidentally wander down there. The snakes were removed, leaving behind several cages of rabbits. These rabbits were meant for consumption, and the individuals responsible for clearing the area planned to sell them to local businesses. Whether they were alive or dead was of no concern to Finn-they merely informed him of the procedure, and he agreed to it, knowing where they had originally come from.
Considering Aoife’s newfound penchant for fun and games, Finn decided to leave two of the finest rabbits for her entertainment.
Upon returning to North Bankshire, Finn had the caretakers bring over the rabbits kept in cages. Two small white rabbits, each adorned with a bow for aesthetic appeal, fit comfortably in the palms of their hands.
“Rabbits.” Aoife exclaimed upon spotting them. Her jumbled mind retained certain words and memories, forming a liking for certain objects.
Linda placed the rabbits in Aoife’s arms, allowing her to feel the soft fur. Initially hesitant, Aoife timidly looked towards Finn for reassurance.
“Don’t worry. They won’t bite,” Finn assured her.
Similar to Aoife’s own apprehension, the rabbits trembled in fear, immobilized. Aoife tentatively reached out, gently caressing them, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
“Ethan, they’re so well-behaved. Can I really keep them?” she asked.
While she stroked the rabbits, Finn gently caressed her hair, “Yes, you can.”
The household staff had long been informed of Aoife’s involvement in a car accident, resulting in brain damage, rendering her with childlike intelligence-mistakenly referring to Finn as Ethan.
In the past, such closeness between Aoife and Finn would have been inconceivable.
Observing the relaxed expression on Aoife’s face, Finn couldn’t help but feel an ache in his heart. It had been a while since he had seen her genuinely smiling. Despite her unassuming smile, Linda couldn’t discern if this was a blessing or a curse.
Yet, she observed that the dynamic between Aoife and Finn had improved significantly. Finn’s meticulous care for Aoife surpassed anyone else’s; he could sense her intentions just by looking at her expression.
Finn’s birthday was on September 25, coinciding with the sweet fragrance of autumn blossoms.
As days passed, Aoife’s physical condition gradually improved. She could now move around without the wheelchair and walk a few steps unassisted.
The household staff was aware of Finn’s birthday. On the day of his celebration, the chef baked a small cake, alongside Aoife and Finn’s favorite dishes.
As Finn carried Aoife downstairs, her eyes sparkled upon seeing the cake on the table. “There’s cake,” she exclaimed, displaying a keen interest in sweets as if she had never tasted them before.
Linda remarked, “Today is the president’s birthday.”
“Ethan’s birthday?” Aoife inquired.
Without a word, Finn placed Aoife on a soft chair. “Yes,” he replied.
Observing the cake, Aoife turned to Finn, “Ethan, is today really your birthday?”
“It is,” Finn confirmed.
Linda teased, “President, make a birthday wish.”
Finn never believed in such notions and remained motionless. However, Aoife tugged at Finn’s sleeve, “Ethan, can I make a birthday wish?”
“And what would you like to wish for?” Finn inquired.
Unaware of the concept that birthday wishes shouldn’t be casually spoken, Aoife watched Linda light the candles on the cake. She then opened her mouth, “I wish for Ethan to never fall ill and to live a long life.”
As the words left her lips, she noticed everyone’s gaze fixed on her, her smile freezing on her face. Anxious, she turned to Finn, whose gaze remained gentle and tender, as always.
“Ethan, was my wish not good?” she asked hesitantly.
“It’s very good. Thank you, Aoife,” Finn replied solemnly with a heavy heart.
On Finn’s birthday, Aoife made a wish for him to live a long and healthy life, unaware that Ethan was no longer alive.
Three individuals harbored pains unknown to the others. Finn felt a bitter pang in his heart, the bitterness lingering in his throat, making even swallowing feel bitter.
Having received praise for her wish, Aoife finally relaxed, holding Finn’s hand and saying, “I want to make another wish-that Ethan will never abandon me.”
“What if I do?” Finn asked.
At the mere thought of such a possibility, even as a hypothetical scenario, Aoife’s eyes welled up with tears. She clutched Finn’s hand, placing it over her heart, “It will hurt here.”
“I will never leave you,” Finn promised. Even if you mistake me for Ethan, even if you never loved me, I will never abandon you.
Finn’s previous attire had been dark and flamboyant, with long hair. To resemble Ethan more closely, he cut his hair and switched to a wardrobe of lighter shades. Dressed in a white shirt, he appeared clean and fresh, albeit lacking his former air of authority.