After thoroughly turning the bag upside down, she confirmed that the medicine bottle was not inside. Relief flooded her senses.

Ariana pondered whether Holden's words held any truth, realizing she couldn't allow Theodore to continue taking the medicine until everything became clear.

Returning to bed and facing Theodore, Ariana snuggled closer to him.

She closed her eyes and peacefully succumbed to a deep slumber.

Once Ariana had fallen asleep, Theodore, lying beside her, slowly opened his eyes.

He gazed at the woman in his arms with a complex expression, gently brushing her hair behind her ear and planting a tender kiss on her forehead.

Theodore then rose from the bed and retrieved the medicine bottle hidden under the pillow.

After taking two pills, he tenderly tucked Ariana in, leaving the room in solitude.

The next morning, Ariana was awakened by a distant howling sound.

As she opened her eyes, the first rays of daylight had already pierced through the curtains. She groggily reached out for the space beside her, only to find an empty spot where the familiar presence once lay.

Ariana snapped to attention as if propelled by an invisible force. She hastily abandoned her cozy bed, neglecting even the simplest act of washing up, and darted downstairs with an urgent fervor.

Upon reaching the ground floor, she discovered an empty space devoid of any human presence. However, her eyes were immediately drawn to a conspicuous letter meticulously placed on the table, right at the heart of the room.

Curiosity piqued, Ariana swiftly grasped the letter and embarked on the act of reading its contents.

It was penned by Theodore himself, declaring his pressing need to attend to some urgent affairs that necessitated his departure from town. He entrusted Ariana with the house, reassuring her that no lock was required when she left, for someone would take care of such matters on her behalf.

Holding the letter in her hands, Ariana experienced a turbulent blend of emotions, caught between anger and amusement.

She couldn't help but wonder if Theodore’s abrupt departure was motivated by his fear of getting into a heated argument with her if she persisted in her inquiries about the previous day's incident.

Ariana's teeth clenched as she fought the impulse to crumple the letter into a tight ball.

There was no need for such actions. She had already granted Theodore a few more days as promised, and she resolved not to ask again.

With a resigned sigh, Ariana stowed the letter away, realizing that since Theodore had already made his exit, there was no reason for her to Linger any longer. It was time for her to prepare herself for the journey back.

By the door, Rin, the loyal canine companion Left behind by Theodore, sat upright, exuding an air of protectiveness akin to that of a seasoned bodyguard. Ariana knew that Theodore had intentionally left Rin in her care. She tenderly caressed the wolf's head and even managed a small smile as she bid her farewells.