Lost in the Forest of Clouds

"Ah!"

The scalding sauce drenched Allen instantly, turning his skin an angry red. Blisters erupted across his arms as searing pain shot through his body, leaving him speechless with agony.

"Allen!"

Serene released Will and rushed to Allen, showing rare concern. "Are you okay? We need to get you to the hospital!"

Allen looked up at her, the pain overwhelming, unable to form words.

"Oh God! Will, you're hurt!"

At this, Serene's attention snapped to Will. She hurried to his side, even more distressed than before. Though only a few drops had hit his arm, she acted as if he'd suffered a critical injury.

Will pulled away, his eyes pained as he shook his head. "I'm fine. Mr. Bennett needs medical attention more urgently."

"Don't be ridiculous! You've always been sensitive to pain. Serene, what are you waiting for? Get Will to the emergency room!" Anne glared at the other table. "What is wrong with you people? Take your fight outside! You've hurt Will, and my sister would definitely sue all of you!”

Will winced but insisted, "It's nothing, really. Please, help Mr. Bennett—he's badly hurt."

But his words only heightened Serene's panic. Ignoring Allen's severely burned arms, she helped Will up and rushed toward the door.

At the threshold, she paused briefly, throwing Allen a guilty glance. "Will has sensitive skin. The hospital's just down the street—you can grab a taxi."

Allen watched them disappear, struggling to breathe through the pain but managing to stay standing.

A sympathetic server hurried over with a first aid kit and helped treat his burns. After taking some pain medication, Allen felt well enough to speak again.

The restaurant lent him clean clothes, and he carefully made his way outside to hail a cab.

---

At the hospital, the doctor pressed cotton swabs against his blisters, explaining the treatment. "Apply this antibiotic cream daily, and it shouldn't leave any scars."

Allen clenched his jaw against the pain, eyes squeezed shut.

Nearby, two nurses wheeled a cart past, chatting.

"Did you hear? Ms. Foster reserved the entire VIP wing for Mr. Anderson. Just a few drops of sauce, and she called in every specialist in the city."

"I know, right? His burn's so minor it would've healed on its own. Wish I had someone that devoted to me."

"Ha, keep dreaming. A woman like that is one in a million."

---

One in a million?

Allen laughed bitterly. A wife who abandons her severely injured husband to tend to someone else's minor burn was indeed unique.

After getting bandaged, he thanked the doctor and left. Just outside the hospital, his phone buzzed with an email.

It was from the art program he'd applied to abroad, confirming his acceptance and requesting a portfolio submission.

For the first time in five years, Allen picked up his paintbrushes again.

---

After buying art supplies, he avoided the Foster estate and headed to Lake Vista Mountain instead.

The view was breathtaking—a pristine lake nestled between rolling hills, its surface mirror-smooth, perfectly reflecting the surrounding peaks.

Taking a deep breath, Allen felt years of tension melt away. The weight of his confined life lifted, replaced by a surge of long-forgotten freedom.

Inspiration flowing, he began to paint. His brush moved across the canvas as the landscape took shape before him.

For three days, he lost himself in the solitude, accompanied only by birdsong and rustling leaves.

---

When he finally descended to ship his painting to the university, Allen turned his phone back on.

The screen lit up with dozens of missed calls and messages, all from Serene.

This was unprecedented.

Usually, Allen was the one calling and texting, only to be ignored. Serene had never actively reached out to him, let alone repeatedly.

While he stared at his phone in disbelief, Anne's number appeared. He answered, and her sharp voice cut through.

"Allen Bennett, where the hell have you been? Do you know my sister's been going crazy looking for you? Don't think you can use this disappearing act to make her care. Get real! The Foster family's future belongs with Will!"

She hung up before he could respond.

He frowned at his phone, confused.

Serene frantically searching for him?

What could she possibly want now?

Allen considered calling Anne back, but the 108 missed calls from Serene told their own story. Whatever it was, she was desperate.