The Mystic Sect knew too much—too many secrets that were just plain creepy.

Landon’s initial plan was to wipe them all out, to eliminate the threat once and for all.

But Monroe had used the resurrection technique to persuade his terminally ill master.

Now, Landon wasn’t even a part of Project Azureveil anymore. He couldn’t even get through the front door, let alone offer his advice to the higher-ups.

“Porter, I can’t do it right now,” Landon said.

“Then don’t let anyone know Amy is sick,” Porter replied.

Landon nodded. “Don’t worry. Amy doesn’t know about this.”

“You’re still curious about the rebirth technique, aren’t you?” Porter asked.

Landon grinned. “Of course I am. Kimsey’s got the healing power.”

“What?” Porter’s face went ashen.

“Yeah, the healing technique you’ve heard about,” Landon added.

Porter fell into a long silence, gripping his rosary beads so tightly they were about to snap.

Having used the rebirth technique himself, he was certainly familiar with the healing technique.

‘But… how could it be Kimsey?’ he wondered.

Landon waited quietly.

‘Freaking out? It’s fine, we’re all family here—let’s freak out together!’ Landon thought to himself.

After sharing the stress with Porter, he probably wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed.

After a long silence, Porter finally closed his eyes and murmured, “It’s not a rebirth technique—dead people can’t just come back to life. It’s… a rebirth technique.”

“Rebirth? You mean, going back to some moment before death?” Landon’s brain felt like it was about to fry.

If he hadn’t watched a few rebirth dramas with Amelia, he wouldn’t even know this was a thing!

“Exactly,” Porter said, taking a deep breath. “It’s a gift the Zuckerbergs are born with.”

Turns out, the Zuckerberg family’s ancestors were actual priests. But as the centuries rolled by, they faded into just another ordinary family.

Rumor had it, the last priest, right before he died, passed down the rebirth technique to his descendants to keep the Zuckerberg family from being wiped out—and left behind an ancient tome.

But seriously, who’d actually believe a story like that?

When Porter became the head of the family, he just rolled his eyes at the whole thing.

But then, when Catherine was killed by Joanna, Porter, in his desperation, remembered the ancient tome his ancestors had left behind.

After some wild, desperate attempts, he actually pulled it off.

He rewound time to just before Catherine died, got her out of there, and faked her death by swapping her with a decoy.

To cover his tracks, he burned the ancient tome.

But Joanna found out and barged in, trying to snatch it from him. In a panic, Porter tore out the page about the rebirth technique and gulped it down.

“So, the side effect is Amy?” Landon asked, his voice trembling. “Ever since she was born, my mother-in-law started acting crazy. And now that Amy’s pregnant, will she start acting crazy too?”

“Yes…” Porter nodded, looking miserable.

He’d just wanted to be together with his wife again, never imagining the side effects would end up hurting his daughter.

“Porter, when Amy was pregnant with Kimsey, everything was normal,” Landon said.

Porter sighed. “Yeah, I was quietly watching over you back then.”

Landon felt a sour ache in his chest.

‘So Porter had been looking out for us all along,’ Landon thought.

“Maybe it’s just a matter of probability,” Porter said. “Once Amy takes the Life Elixir, this won’t happen again.”

“Okay!” Landon was relieved they had the Life Elixir. “But, Porter, why didn’t you cure Amy’s mother?”

“I didn’t succeed,” Porter said. “After I left the Zuckerberg family, the ancient tome ended up in Joanna’s hands. It took me a while to find a cure. Even after I got the recipe, I kept failing to make the medicine. By the time I finally succeeded, Catherine had already…”

“I see,” Landon said.

Landon pressed his lips together.

‘Digging for the truth today probably made Porter sad all over again,’ Landon thought.

“The side effects only affect Amy, not Kimsey. So you don’t have to worry, and there’s no need for him to take the Life Elixir,” Porter said.

Landon couldn’t help but ask, “How did Kimsey end up with the healing power?”

“One of our ancestors was a priest with incredible medical skills… Maybe it’s genetic, maybe it’s not. I honestly can’t say. It’s been centuries since someone like Kimsey popped up. Maybe it’s just fate that this kid’s got such crazy talent,” Porter replied.

Porter sounded a bit lost, his voice trailing off.

Landon latched onto that. ‘Genetic! No doubt about it!’

“I’ve told you everything I know. Do you have any other questions?” Porter asked.

“Thank you for explaining everything. I have no more questions,” Landon replied.

“Alright, let’s get out. We still need to deal with Marvel, since he’s read the ancient tome,” Porter said.

“Got it!” Landon nodded.

Landon and Porter got out of the car and headed to the cherry orchard to find Daniel and Amelia.

As for what they talked about in the car, that conversation would stay locked up tight between them.

He decided not to mention the story of rebirth to Amelia.

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves.

Amelia’s cheerful voice was carried on the wind.

“Daniel, the bunch of cherries right above your head is huge! And the ones to your left…”

Landon, worried that Honey might try to climb the tree herself, hurried over.

Amelia, wearing a sun hat, stood under the tree giving directions while Daniel climbed up to pick the cherries.

Landon let out a sigh of relief, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, we’ve already got a mountain of cherries, and you still want more?”

“Eating and picking are two totally different kinds of happiness,” Amelia said with a cheeky grin. “So, you finished chatting with my dad?”

“Yeah,” said Lucia.

“What did you guys talk about?” Amelia asked.

“I promised your dad I’d love you and protect you for the rest of my life,” Landon said, his eyes full of love.

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Pfft! Like saying it out loud actually means anything?”

“You know what’s in my heart, but your dad doesn’t. Some things just need to be said out loud,” Landon said, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. “Alright, let’s head home!”

“We’re leaving already?” Amelia asked.

Amelia glanced behind Landon, and just as she’d hoped, she caught sight of Porter’s warm, gentle face.

She couldn’t help but smile—Porter really did look so kind.

‘Her heart softened,’ Amelia thought, feeling a gentle warmth inside.

She whispered, “Where is my dad? Is he coming back with us?”

“No,” Landon said softly.

“Oh?” Amelia blinked, surprised.

Amelia felt a pang of disappointment.

“He said he’s gotten used to his life now, but he’ll drop by to see us every now and then,” Landon said.

Amelia finally felt a bit of relief.

Landon blinked in surprise. “Really? You’re not even a little mad at him?”

“He never wanted things to end up like this,” Amelia said, shaking her head. “After all these years, he’s still loyal to my mom. That’s honestly pretty rare.”

“Yeah, it really is,” Landon agreed.

Landon nodded.

With Porter’s wealth and status, even with Joanna still around, he could’ve easily lived it up or messed around if he wanted.

But he never did.

He kept watch over his wife’s grave, stayed true in his heart, and never strayed.

Forget about rich guys—even a down-and-out guy probably couldn’t have pulled that off.

“Landon, if I end up leaving before you, don’t spend your life alone for me. Go find someone who’ll really care for you, someone who’ll be there for you,” Amelia said, leaning closer to Landon, soaking up his warmth.

Amelia nestled against Landon, drawing comfort from his presence.

Anyone would say her dad owed her, since he hadn’t been there for her growing up.

But looking at it from his side, it’s not like he had it easy either.

He couldn’t go home, couldn’t even call his kids his own. All he could do was live alone, holding onto memories of his late wife.

Amelia couldn’t bear the thought of Landon spending the rest of his life alone.

As long as it didn’t affect their kids, she’d be willing to let him move on.

“Oh!” Amelia said softly, lost in her own sentimental thoughts.

Landon’s annoyed voice suddenly sounded above her, snapping her out of it.

“So let me get this straight—if I go first, you’ll just find someone else, huh?” Landon asked, sounding a little miffed.

Amelia shook her head almost on reflex. “No, I wouldn’t.”

Seeing the frustration in his eyes, she quickly explained, “Having you in my life is more than enough for me.”

“What about me?” Landon pinched her chin, baring his teeth in mock annoyance.

He really wanted to scold her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Amelia froze for a moment, then realized—without meaning to, she’d hurt Landon’s feelings.

She pulled his fingers to her lips and gave them a soft kiss. “I know you are. It’s just… seeing my dad like that, it just breaks my heart for him.”

“Then quit saying stuff like that and just stay with me, okay? Until we’re old and gray,” Landon said, his anger fading away.

He couldn’t stay mad—she really did care about him.

“Oh, that’s right! We’ve got Kimsey! He can cure anything! So we’re all gonna be just fine,” Amelia said with a cheeky grin, a wild idea popping into her mind.

‘So was my whole rebirth just a roll of the dice, or do I actually have some kind of natural superpower?’ Amelia mused to herself.