Chapter 346: Summer’s Memories

Summer’s consciousness began to blur. Memories flooded in. She remembered her childhood and Yolanda’s cold, unyielding anger. No matter how obedient she was, it never seemed enough. Yolanda always looked at her with dislike. Back then, Summer couldn’t understand. Why did she hate her so much? Later, she learned the truth: Yolanda was not her real mother. Summer felt relieved. The mother she had imagined in her heart was not like that at all.

The scene shifted. She was back at the Stewart Mansion. Jasper, Julia… they all resisted her presence, as if she had disrupted their peaceful lives. Margaret’s eyes burned with hatred, always saying the same thing, “Why did you come back to steal my place?” That was when Summer finally realized that she was nothing but a burden. Perhaps she had never even belonged in this world. The family love she had longed for was nothing more than a fragile illusion.

Then came the memory of Trevor’s indifference. And in the end, his desperate plea for forgiveness, kneeling before her. They were all cruel. So cruel that she no longer wanted any of them. So cruel that she locked herself away, shutting out the world. If she kept herself hidden, no one could hurt her anymore.

But then… someone appeared. It was Fraser. His eyes were warm. He always gazed at her steadily, unwaveringly. In his deep, magnetic voice, he murmured, “Summer, how can you be so foolish?” She wanted to argue that she was not foolish. Fraser only smiled. “If you’re not foolish, then why can’t you see that I love you?”

She did not believe him. No one had ever loved her. But Fraser took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Beneath her palm, his heartbeat thudded—strong, steady, and real. The words ‘I love you’ echoed so clearly that she could no longer ignore them. Then, he pulled her into his arms. His embrace was so warm, as if shielding her from all the malice in the world.

His deep voice carried a lazy fondness as he called her, “Silly girl.” Summer smiled. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she smiled. The images blurred. She was so cold. Maybe she could sleep for just a little while…

Suddenly, a voice rang out. It was sharp, commanding, and full of suppressed rage. “Summer! Without my permission, you are not allowed to close your eyes!” He was here again. Still so domineering. Even when she was freezing, he was still scolding her. A wave of grievance surged in her chest.

Since he always indulged her, she decided to ignore him this time. Just for a little while… At the same time, the warehouse door was kicked open with a deafening crash. Light from outside flooded in, cutting through the cold darkness and bringing a sliver of warmth. Wrapped in an aura of unrelenting fury, Fraser strode in.

Merry looked up. She saw a tall figure stood at the doorway. She blinked. It’s not a dream. Mr. Graham had come. We’ll be safe. Tears blurred her vision as she turned, wanting to wake Summer. But when she saw Summer’s closed eyes, her face drained of all color. Her voice broke into a sobbing wail. “Mr. Graham, hurry! Summer… she’s unconscious!”

Fraser’s gaze snapped to the corner of the warehouse. There, curled up on the frozen floor, was Summer. Her arms were wrapped around herself, legs tucked in, head drooped forward. Strands of dark hair cascaded over her face, veiling her pale features. For a moment, Fraser felt his heart stop. A violent tremor ran through his body. His pupils contracted, his eyes darkening to a terrifying shade of red.

In the next second, he bolted forward, crossing the distance in just a few strides. He knelt down, scooping her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. Her body was ice-cold. So cold that the chill stabbed straight through his bones, piercing his very soul. His heart clenched, twisting with unbearable pain. Desperation. “Summer… Summer… look at me. I’m here.” Damn it. Summer isn’t responding.

Fraser did not dare wait another second. He lifted her in his arms, stood up, and rushed toward the exit. In her haze, Summer felt warmth. An unfamiliar, enveloping warmth and a scent she knew all too well. Slowly, she forced her eyes open. A sharp jawline came into focus. Fraser.

Her lips trembled as she whispered weakly, “Fraser… you… scolded me.” Fraser was running towards the exit with his arms tightening around her. At the faint murmur, he suddenly stopped. Lowering his gaze, he looked at her pale, lifeless face. A sharp pang of pain seared through his chest, an ache so deep it nearly drove him mad. A single tear slipped from his eye, landing on her cold cheek. His voice was thick with anguish, pleading. “Summer… I won’t scold you. Just… don’t sleep, alright?”

Summer wanted to tell him she was just tired. That she only needed a little rest. But the exhaustion was overwhelming. She could not hold on any longer. Slowly, she slipped back into the darkness.