Katelyn watched Jada cover her face as fresh tears escaped between her fingers. Without another word, Jada brushed past her mother and quietly left the room.
Katelyn watched her daughter disappear for a few seconds before turning back to Jul.
"It's alright," she said softly. "She's just hurting."
A gentle smile appeared on her face. "You remember, don't you? When you were little, she was always following you around. Losing you... hurt her more than anyone realizes."
Her smile soon faded into concern as she carefully looked over the bandages covering his body. "Anyways, how are you feeling? You aren't meant to be standing now. Is the pain any better?"
Jul gave a small nod before he noticed two unfamiliar figures who entered behind her.
"...How long?" he asked.
Katelyn tilted her head. "If you mean how long you've been here... then two months. But it's been four days since you woke up," then smiled reassuringly. "The doctors say you'll be able to leave in a few more days, so just focus on recovering."
Jul nodded once more, deep in thought. 'Two months, huh. I don't think I have much time left again.
'But then again, it's been a few days since the kid left me his memories. This body's reactions are becoming more natural. Even listening to her... it feels strangely familiar. It's like his memories are settling.'
"Oh!" Katelyn suddenly remembered. "Jul, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
She stepped aside and gestured to the young woman and a man present in the room with him.
"This is Lia and Malik."
Jul observed them quietly. His face gave no expression or change. 'Who are they? And why is she introducing them to me?' His thought paused. 'Could it be that they were the kids' friends?'
His brows narrowed. The situation was strange because his newly inherited memories gave him no answer.
Seeing his silence, Katelyn quickly explained. "They're the ones who saved your life."
However, instead of the usual reaction, Jul's eyes sharpened.
"They found you by the river and called for help."
A slight feral glint flashed through his eyes, boring into the couple with intensity. If this couple truly were his saviors, then they had business with him.
The man looked to be in his mid-twenties with a chubby build and slightly tanned skin. The woman beside him appeared to be around the same age, petite and carrying herself with quiet confidence.
'Mhm?' Jul mused strangely, slightly taken aback. 'Strange. Very strange. Or is this a scheme?'
The pair were ordinary people with no sign of combat training, no hidden weapons, no hostility.
There was just nervousness and fear around them.
Katelyn smiled warmly.
"Lia... Malik... this is my son, Jul."
The pair immediately bowed, their bodies trembling slightly. "It's nice to finally meet you."
To them, the Mercers were practically royalty. Ever since rescuing the unconscious man from the river, they had been questioned endlessly by the police.
Only for the Mercer family to suddenly appear and end the investigation with a few words.
Even now, they still couldn't fully process what had happened.
'So... this is the person we saved?' Malik secretly swallowed. Compared to the blood-covered man they had dragged from the river, the calm young man before them looked even more terrifying.
Lia was thinking the same thing. However, her thoughts went further.
How was someone from the Mercer family found in that condition? And how is he already standing after only a week? Is it because of the Mercers' medical technology...?
Then both of them remembered the final words spoken before they were allowed to leave.
-Forget what you saw that day for your own sake.
It hadn't sounded like advice. It was a warning.
While they were lost in thought, Jul quietly observed them, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
'How exactly did they find me?' He clearly remembered sinking beneath the river. There should have been no chance of survival. That was the plan.
To die underneath the river.
Yet, here he was. Mysteriously saved by a couple who happened to be fishing in the same river he drowned in.
'It's too glaring to all just be a coincidence. But at the same time, they don't seem like killers. Hmm, I will find out eventually.'
After a brief silence, he spoke.
"...Thank you."
Though the words sounded awkward. It was almost as if it was forced.
It was as though he had never thanked someone before, and three people with him noticed. It was easy to know when someone showed sincere appreciation, and when someone faked it.
However, here it seemed like he didn't even know how to.
As the couple raised their head, they didn't think much about it.
Wealthy children usually found it difficult to show appreciation.
His mother, on the other hand, thought differently. Wherever her son had been all these years, he had never really displayed appreciation or gratitude to anyone.
Malik smiled. It's nothing. Anyone would've done the same."
Then, Katelyn cleared her throat,
"Actually...our family would like to properly thank you both. If it's alright with you... we'd love for you to visit the Mercer estate."
Both Lia and Malik froze and briefly glanced at each other.
The Mercer estate?
What did it mean to be treated by the wealthiest family in the entire region?
That wasn't simply an invitation. It was an opportunity countless people could only dream of.
'Damn, even just writing down my interaction with a mercer on my resume can land me a great job; how much more a visit?' Malik nearly nodded before Lia discreetly grabbed his wrist.
"Thank you for the offer..." Malik held his breath, and Katelyn waited patiently. "...we'd be honored to accept."
Relief spread across Katelyn's face. "I'm glad. We'll make the arrangements."
Lia smiled politely, and Malik looked as though he had just won the lottery.
All the while, Jul quietly watched them.