Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 301 The Mirage of Joy
Lacey was taken aback when Jason suddenly acknowledged their relationship. Her first instinct was to gauge David's reaction.
David froze, his tears ceasing as he stared at Jason with a contemplative look.
Lacey watched the scene unfold with bated breath, her heart racing as she anticipated an emotional reunion between father and
son.
"You're not my son," David stated firmly.
Jason immediately frowned, turning his gaze away.
Though disappointed, Lacey understood this wasn't something that could be rushed.
Jason needed time, and David needed even more. She believed that if Jason continued approaching him as his son, eventually,
David would have a moment of recognition.
"My son was so small," David muttered, gesturing with his hands. "You're too grown up. You can't be him."
In reality, Jason had been in high school when David left, but David's memory seemed trapped in the distant past when Jason
was just a child.
"You're not my son. You're lying to me," David insisted, inching closer to Lacey. Despite his mental state, his body language
spoke volumes-he trusted Lacey more than the stranger claiming to be his son.
Jason remained silent, though his hurt and resignation were evident.
As their flight took off, Lacey gently placed her hand on Jason's shoulder. "Give it time," she reassured him. "He needs to adjust.
We'll take it slow."
After returning home, Jason moved his father into his apartment. David, however, was deeply unsettled by the unfamiliar
environment. He was manageable when Lacey was present, but grew increasingly agitated when she left, constantly asking for
his son.
Once, he even slipped out while Jason wasn't looking. Fortunately, Jason noticed quickly and brought him back. After that
incident, Jason kept the doors locked whenever they were home. Other than hospital visits, he didn't dare take David anywhere

for fear of losing him.
Though Jason was a doctor himself, psychiatry wasn't his specialty. After thorough examinations, the specialists concluded that
while there were physiological issues, _David's_condition was primarily, psychological. They recommended medication
alongside exposure to familiar environments and people to aid his recovery.
Jason decided to take his father back to Greenfield Village, but David refused to go. It was only with Lacey's persuasion and
companionship that Jason finally managed to bring him back to their old home.
When they arrived, Jason stood staring at the house for a long while after getting out of the car. Since Martin's death, he hadn't
returned, and now everything felt profoundly different.
Remarkably, David, who had been restless throughout the journey, became unusually quiet as he stood before the familiar
house.

As they walked through the property, David observed everything silently, but a distinct glimmer appeared in his eyes.
Having successfully brought David to Greenfield Village, Jason suggested Lacey return to Starlight City to attend to her affairs.
But David had grown dependent on her; her presence improved his mental state and seemed beneficial for his recovery. So
Lacey decided to stay.
She was willing to make any sacrifice if it meant facilitating David's recovery and reconciliation with his son.
On the first night, after David had gone to bed, Jason sat in the yard. Lacey joined him. Jason began recounting stories about
David from years ago.
He explained that David was a native of Greenfield Village who had fallen deeply for his mother. At the time, Martin was the
esteemed director of a renowned hospital in Starlight City, affluent and respected. David, meanwhile, came from a modest
farming family and worked odd jobs. The social gap between them was vast.
Despite his mother having many suitors from respectable backgrounds, David was determined. To stand out, he practically
moved into Martin's home, taking on any work available. Martin, not one to judge by wealth, recognized David's diligence and
ambition, and eventually blessed their union.
"Wendy Windsor, once I have money, I'll buy you anything you want," a voice suddenly interrupted them.

Jason and Lacey looked up to see David at the window, gazing into the distance. In that moment, his demeanor, his eyes, his
entire presence didn't seem like someone with mental issues.
"Wendy was your mother?" Lacey asked curiously.
Jason nodded, seemingly surprised by David's mention of the name.
"From what you've told me, it sounds like your father went to great lengths to win your mother's heart. He must have loved her
deeply," Lacey remarked.
Jason twirled a leaf in his hand. "In my childhood memories, they seemed genuinely in love. Looking back, I think they had
grown apart but maintained a façade for my benefit."
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Lacey glanced up at David, still standing by the second-floor window.
"Nobody can maintain clarity every moment of their lives," she reflected. "Your father's decision to leave your mother might have
been a mistake he quickly regretted. The fact that he's still searching for you and can recall her name suggests she holds a
significant place in his heart. Maybe after leaving, he realized his error, but pride or some unknown burden prevented him from
returning. His mental state might be a result of that intense longing."
The leaf in Jason's hand fell silently to the ground, much like the moonlight softly illuminating the yard.
"I can't speak for my dad's feelings," Jason said, "but I know my mom cared deeply. She was beautiful and had many suitors
after my dad left, but she rejected them all, saying I was enough for her. In her final moments, she asked me to bring her the
watch from her drawer. She held it tightly until her last breath. That watch was a gift from my dad on their wedding day. He
couldn't afford jewelry then, so he bought her that watch. It wasn't expensive, but she treasured it, always having it repaired
when it broke. Only after he left did she store it away, never getting it fixed again even when it stopped working."

"We can't judge relationships from the outside," Lacey mused. "Being together doesn't guarantee love, just as separation doesn't
signify its absence. What we see isn't always the truth, especially since people often don't understand their own hearts."
That night, though David went to bed late, he slept more peacefully than usual.

In the days that followed, while he didn't recover many memories, he changed. He no longer constantly asked for his son. When
he wasn't speaking, he seemed almost normal.
David even began tending to the garden or simply sitting quietly in the yard for long periods. He didn't wander off, so Jason
stopped locking the doors.
One day, Jason and Lacey returned from grocery shopping to find the gate open. Initially concerned, they were relieved to see
David sitting calmly in the yard.
David suddenly called for his son's return in an affectionate tone, a gesture that shocked both Jason and Lacey.
Lacey, dropping the groceries, rushed to him. "Do you remember?" she asked excitedly.
Jason approached as well, trying to contain his emotions.
David, however, didn't look at Jason. Instead, he lifted his gaze to Lacey.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Their hopes plummeted.
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Before Lacey could answer, David seemed to have a realization. "You're my daughter- in-law. My son is truly blessed."
David seemed trapped in his own narrative, talking to someone only he could see. He asked if his son had received any
certificates or awards, wanting to see them so he could display them. He also mentioned that he had made pumpkin pancakes
for his son, which his son enjoys eating.
Before David could continue, Jason strode into the house.
Lacey watched him go, understanding his pain. The higher the hopes, the harder the fall. The moment they stepped into the
courtyard, they truly believed that David had recovered his memory.
That evening, after serving David dinner and helping him prepare for bed, Lacey couldn't find Jason anywhere. Once David was
asleep, she went outside and called Jason's phone.

He answered but remained silent.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"By the forest," he replied.
Hanging up, Lacey followed the path she had come to know during their stay. The
forest wasn't far, with a small river running alongside it.
Reaching the forest, she searched around. The full moon provided ample light.
Eventually, she spotted a figure sitting beneath a tree.
Even before she got close, the strong scent of alcohol permeated the air.
Jason sat with two cases of beer beside him, one already empty.
Lacey quietly sat down near him, at a respectful distance. No words were needed; she
could feel his pain, understand his anguish.
Jason acknowledged her presence but continued drinking in silence.
When he reached for another beer, Lacey gently placed her hand over his, stopping
him.