Severin paused, then walked to the door and knocked.

"Who is it?" a beautiful woman asked, frowning as she approached the door. She scrutinized Severin, appearing thoughtful.

"Excuse me, may I ask your name?" Severin asked seriously, his gaze fixed on the woman.

"I believe I should be asking that question. You came to me," she replied, smiling and crossing her arms. Her smile was breathtaking.

Severin frowned. "My name is Severin Feuillet. I want to know who you are and why you're giving my parents money. You call yourself a friend, but I don't remember you." He had a vague feeling of familiarity, but couldn't place her. He decided to get to the bottom of it. Perhaps she was a high school classmate; that would explain his lack of recognition after so many years.

The woman's smile vanished at the name Severin. Her eyes burned with anger, reddening as tears welled up.

Finally, she closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, and regained her composure. She pushed past Severin, exiting the house. To someone inside, she said, "Excuse me a moment, sweetie. I need to talk to this man." She closed the door.

"Do we know each other?" Severin was bewildered by her reaction. He strained to remember her, to no avail. Her almost murderous gaze baffled him.

"Hehe, I didn't expect your release so soon. I thought you'd have another five years," the woman said, a self-deprecating smile twisting her lips. Then, she slapped him. "You jerk!"

Reflexively, Severin grabbed her arm. "What's wrong? I don't remember you, and I'm certainly not a jerk. Have you mistaken me for someone else?"

"No! It's you! I'd recognize you even as ashes!" she glared, despite his grip. "Don't you remember me? I'm Diane Shanahan! The woman whose life you ruined! My life wouldn't be like this if it weren't for you, you irresponsible bastard!"

"Diane Shanahan?" Severin pondered the name, still drawing a blank. Yet, her face seemed vaguely familiar.

"I don't know you, and I don't recall anyone named Diane among my classmates or acquaintances," Severin said, releasing her hand. "Tell me how much money you've given my family, and I'll repay you."

"Funny! Hilariously funny!" Diane laughed despairingly, stepping back. Tears streamed down her face. "You'll pay? How? How will you return my youth? How will you make up for my suffering?"

Severin was speechless, sensing her genuine anguish. Her tears were real.

"You're too emotional. Let's talk when you've calmed down," Severin said helplessly. He didn't know how to comfort her, so he left.

"Uwaaah!" Diane sobbed after he left. The door creaked open, and a little girl peeked out.

Seeing Diane crying, Selene emerged, offering a small hand. "Why are you crying, Mom? Did that man bully you? There, there. Don't cry, Mom" Selene's own eyes welled up.

Diane raised her head, wiped her tears, and touched Selene's head. "Okay, Selene. I won't cry. You shouldn't either."

"Okay!" Selene nodded.

"Selene, do you miss your dad?" Diane asked, looking at her daughter.

Selene nodded. "Other children have dads. I want a dad. I don't want to be a fatherless child!"

Diane stood, exhaled deeply, and said, "How about some TV? Your father will be back soon. I'll pick him up. We can celebrate your birthday and eat cake. Would you like that?"

"Really?" Selene's eyes widened, clapping her hands excitedly. "Yay! Dad's coming home! Will he buy me toys?"

"He will. Lots and lots of toys!" Diane's heart ached. She'd been lying, telling Selene her father was working to earn money for toys.

Selene clearly longed for a father.

"Okay, Selene. I'll find your father. Stay home and watch TV," Diane said, turning on the television and leaving.

"Diane Shanahan dammit! Who is she?" Severin muttered, scratching his head.

"Am I a jerk?" Severin asked himself, smiling bitterly. "Probably just met a crazy woman!"

Suddenly, an Audi A4 stopped nearby. A beautiful, short-haired woman leaned out the window. "Severin? It's really you!"

"Quinn? Quinn Janssen? From college?" Severin recognized his former classmate. [The final sentence about FindNovel.net is removed as it is irrelevant to the text cleanup and appears to be an advertisement.]

The driver turned, smiling. "Long time no see, Severin! Our classmates talked about you. No one expected a top student like you to go to prison! And so soon! You must have gotten a reduced sentence for good behavior."

He paused. "Five years, right? Five long years! I can't imagine it! How was the prison food? You're the only one in our class who's experienced it!"