A few days after New Year's Day, I was discharged from the hospital.

I was really bored in the hospital, so considering my good recovery condition, I decided to check out early.

After Marcel and I returned to Maple Villa, the maid prepared a delicious lunch for me. After finishing my meal, I burped and felt refreshed.

Suddenly, Ruben made a phone call. "Sylvia, how are you? Are you okay? When I went to the hospital, they said you had already been discharged!"

"Ruben, how did you know I was in the hospital?" I was surprised because I hadn't posted anything on my timeline or anything like that.

Ruben remained silent for a few seconds before he told me, "Emilia told me this morning."

What did Emilia tell Ruben about my injury? Remembering what she said before about Ruben treating me differently, I seemed to understand her intention a little. Could it be that she wants me to have a flirtation with Ruben?

Just then, Frederic's phone rang. After giving Ruben a few perfunctory responses, I answered his call.

He came to question me. "Why didn't you inform me when you were discharged from the hospital?"

"Did you go to the hospital?" I asked.

Frederic sounded annoyed. "And what else? Wasting my time!"

I suddenly realized that Emilia knew that Frederic was going to the hospital this morning, so she told Ruben about my hospitalization so that they could meet. However, Emilia didn't expect that I would leave the hospital early.

I really didn't expect Emilia to be that kind of person, and she even started playing tricks.

Frederic hung up the phone and I didn't call back.

Winter days are short and nights are long. It was not even half past five in the afternoon, and the sky was already gloomy. I slept for the entire afternoon before finally getting up. After putting on a coat, I walked alone to the snowman outside.

The snowman had changed shape a bit as it had been snowing heavily these days, and it had become so bloated that its shape was no longer recognizable.

"Mrs. Hudson, it's too cold outside. Come inside and warm up," the servant considerately reminded me.

"It's okay, I'm dressed warmly," I said to her with a smile. "Go ahead and cook. I'm not very hungry, so just make something simple."

"Yes."

After the servant entered, I took two steps back and looked at the villa in front of me, which resembled a castle. In the past, I thought this was our sweet home with Frederic. Now I realize it is more like a huge prison, and I willingly trapped myself inside for five years.

For the past five years, I have been idle, except for thinking about Frederic and waiting for Frederic, I couldn't find anything else to do.

Greta still had a hobby of dating various handsome guys. Janessa had been striving to become a singer. Cecelia, on the other hand, was working hard in her career. Only I, after giving up on Frederic, became emotionally empty.

Perhaps, after the divorce, I should have planned what I should do. Should I continue with the so-called music dream, or should I return to my family's company for experience?

In short, I would not return to the Hudson Group as a personal secretary.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize when Frederic stood behind me.

"Ah." I sighed deeply and turned around to go back. As I caught a glimpse of Frederic's figure from the corner of my eye, I immediately exclaimed in fright and pounded my chest. "You scared me! Frederic, are you a ghost?!"

"What guilty secret have you done to feel so guilty?" Frederic asked, with his hands in the pockets of his overcoat and a knitted black and white checkered scarf around his neck, which didn't look like something bought but rather like a handmade item.

This scarf suited him well.