Chapter 28. A New Man

Carla paced, restlessly in the living room while Aria remained seated, both girls waiting for Matilda to come out of Mark's room.

After she had finished with her tearful reunion, the older woman had sent them away to give her space to check up on her son for any lingering effects of the aconite.

It was unnerving for Carla to be faced with such a dismissive and somewhat mean version of the man who had risked his life to defend her only a week ago, and she was desperate for an explanation.

As if sensing their growing restlessness, the older woman finally walked into the room with a wide smile on her lips, seemingly unruffled by the stranger in her son's body.

"I can't believe he's awake so soon," she marvelled as she came to a stop in the middle of a room. "I expected we would have to wait months with how badly hurt he was, but he pulled through. My baby pulled through."

Carla tried to smile because she truly was happy for Matilda, but it was weak and sha