Bonnie was overcome with gratitude. "This is wonderful! I finally won't be tormented by nightmares anymore. Thank you, Mr. Atkinson!"
Crispin and Vernon joined in expressing their thanks.
They warmly invited Manfred to stay for dinner, but he declined without hesitation. His mind was elsewhere, entirely preoccupied with thoughts of Vivian. Staying meant she might go hungry tonight; he couldn't allow that.
Manfred politely declined, offering a quick excuse to leave. Before departing, he instructed them to send the copper mirror to the Atkinson residence as soon as possible.
Then, he and Vivian exited Nash Residence together. Once inside the carriage, the two finally had a moment to talk.
Without a word, Manfred pulled Vivian into his arms.
At that moment, concerns about propriety or boundaries meant nothing. What mattered was that Vivian had returned. She was real, tangible, and right before his eyes.
Vivian stiffened at first, caught off guard, but soon relaxed. She gently patted his back, her voice soft. "When I left last time, I didn't mean to disappear without saying goodbye. I didn't even know why I left so abruptly."
"I know," Manfred said softly. He trusted every word she spoke. He knew she wasn't the kind of person to leave without an explanation.
But this time, her absence had been far too long.
Vivian let out a small sigh of relief. "I was gone for just one night. How long was it for you?"
"One and a half years," Manfred replied in a low voice.
"That long?" Vivian frowned. The realization hit her hard—leaving and returning might not be as simple as she thought. Time here slipped through her fingers like sand.
"Yes, it's been a long time."
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