The entrance to the mansion was overrun with weeds. The once well-tended rose wall was now merely a bare framework, and the fallen leaves remained untouched on the ground.

As Ariana and Holden walked onto the property, Ariana reminisced about her early days here, when the mansion exuded an atmosphere of wealth, though not as great as the Fredrick estate. It was always lively, with gardeners cleaning the yard and roses that bloomed vibrantly.

Now, everything was different. The Anderson family had lost their status; their once flourishing prosperity felt like a distant, hollow memory. Even the person beside her, Theodore, was a mere shadow of his former self.

Holden, giving Ariana's hand a reassuring squeeze, finally said, "Let's go inside."

He unlocked the door, and they entered the overgrown garden. The iron furniture was rusted, the fountain was filled with dead leaves and dust, and the pipes gave off a stale odor of decay.

Standing by the fountain, Ariana asked Holden, “Does any of this seem familiar? Does it bring back any memories?"

Holden shook his head.

Seeing that Holden wasn't in a good mood, Ariana offered a soft smile. “Don't worry about it. It's okay if you can't remember anything."

They continued to walk, with Ariana somewhat relieved that Holden didn't remember much.

"This was our place," Ariana stated as they neared a smaller villa behind the main structure.

She led him inside.

The layout remained unchanged, yet everything was coated in a thick layer of dust.

As they walked through the villa, Ariana pointed to various rooms, saying, "This was the game room. And over here was the kitchen where Judy used to cook-she was incredible."

She took Holden from room to room, describing their previous uses and the activities they had enjoyed there, adding in stories from their life together.

These memories were vivid for her, with each minor detail bringing back a distinct memory.

As Holden listened, a smile spread across his face.

They then arrived at what used to be Holden's room. With a playful smile, Ariana said, "Your room and study were always off-limits. I remember sneaking into your study once and you chased me out so fiercely."

Holden, taken aback, blinked and asked, "Was I really that bad?"

“You were," Ariana teased, giving him a playful look. “You used to be grumpy and sharp-tongued."

She pushed open the door to his room and suddenly paused in astonishment.