"Oh... Whisper, you're here..." Cornelius said, catching both Serena and Charlie off guard with his unexpected address to Serena.

As the shock registered on their faces, Charlie's mind raced with questions. "Whisper... how did he..." she thought, her thoughts trailing off as she considered the implications.

Meanwhile, Serena's thoughts mirrored Charlie's, attributing the revelation to Celia's loose lips. "It must've been Celia who told him..." Serena mused, feeling a pang of annoyance at her sister.

"Dad... you can go back to work now... It's just a broken arm..." Charlie interjected, eager to dispel the tension that had settled in the room.

"Alright then... Charlie, remember what Dad told you..." Cornelius replied, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity as he glanced at his daughter.

With a nod, Cornelius turned his attention to Serena, his demeanor shifting as he approached her. "You're so beautiful, my dear... but you look troubled today..." he whispered softly into Serena's ear, his words eliciting a shiver down her spine.

"Dad..." Charlie's voice was laced with disapproval, her discomfort evident as she watched Cornelius interact with Serena.

"Alright... I will leave now... well then, Serena... I hope you take good care of my daughter... Uncle will leave now..." Cornelius said, his departure leaving a lingering sense of unease in his wake.

Aunt Carol hummed a cheerful tune as she expertly sliced the apples, the crisp scent of fruit filling the room.

"These apples are so sweet!" Charlie said as she took a bite of the sliced apple.

"Eat well, Miss... So you can heal early!" Aunt Carol urged, her warm smile reflecting genuine concern for Charlie's well-being.

Charlie couldn't help but notice the lingering shadows beneath Serena's eyes, her troubled expression not lost on Charlie's keen observation. Determined to lift Serena's spirits, Charlie attempted to lighten the mood with a playful comment. "Hey, you look tired... look at the dark circles under your eyes..." she teased, hoping to elicit a smile from Serena.

But Serena was preoccupied, her thoughts consumed by the weight of Cornelius's words and the urgent need to set the record straight with Charlie. Gathering her courage, Serena opened to speak, but before she could voice her concerns, Charlie intervened.

"Charlie, I--" Serena began, her words trailing off as Charlie addressed Aunt Carol with a request for privacy.

"Aunt Carol, can you leave me and Serena alone for awhile?"

Sensing the gravity of the moment, Aunt Carol nodded understandingly. "Of course, Miss..." she replied, excusing herself from the room with a gentle smile, leaving Charlie and Serena alone to have their conversation.

"So... what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Charlie inquired, her voice gentle yet filled with a sincere curiosity.

Serena hesitated for a moment, grappling with the weight of her words before finally mustering the courage to speak. "What Uncle Cornelius just said... I didn't really see the car coming... I didn't lead you there... It wasn't me or someone I know who planned to hurt you I---" Serena's explanation was abruptly cut off as Charlie interjected with a reassuring declaration.

"I know. I believe you. Even if no one else believes you... I will," Charlie affirmed, her words carrying an unwavering conviction that left Serena stunned.

'She believed in me so unconditionally.' Serena's heart swelled with gratitude, a warm smile spreading across her lips for the first time since the harrowing events of last night.

"Is that why you look tired? You think that I blame you?" Charlie's concern was palpable, her gaze softening as she reached out to comfort Serena.

Serena felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment at Charlie's unwavering support. "That and... whenever I try to sleep, the image of you getting hit by a car flashes through my mind..." she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

Charlie's expression softened with empathy, her heart aching at the thought of Serena's sleepless night.

"You said you haven't slept, right? Come to bed..." Charlie suggested, her voice tender as she extended an invitation.

"B-bed??" Serena's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected offer.

"Yes, sleep for a while..." Charlie reassured, her voice filled with gentle insistence. "But what about you?" Serena countered, her concern evident.

"Well, of course... I'd like to walk around... I've been lying here for a long time... I also need to straighten my back!" Charlie replied with a chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Okay, but let me help you with your cast... I can adjust it for you," Serena offered, a faint blush tinting her cheeks as she leaned in to assist Charlie with her cast, their closeness bringing a sense of comfort and reassurance to both of them.

Charlie suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to be closer to Serena, a sensation that pulled her towards Serena with an irresistible force. Without hesitation, she leaned her head on Serena's shoulder, seeking solace in the warmth of their connection.

The scent of strawberry champagne lingered on Charlie's nose.

Serena's cheeks flushed crimson at the sudden intimacy, her heart racing with a mixture of surprise and delight at Charlie's affectionate gesture.

"Serena..." Charlie's voice broke the silence, drawing Serena's attention as she responded with a gentle hum of acknowledgment.

"Hmm?"

"I'm bad at biology... but you are good at it, right?" Charlie's inquiry was met with a hesitant nod from Serena "Um", who struggled to form coherent thoughts in the midst of Charlie's proximity.

"Then can you tell me, is it possible for an Alpha to be addicted to an Omega's pheromone?" Charlie's question hung in the air, the weight of her words resonating with unspoken emotions.

Serena's blush deepened as she found herself unable to provide a clear answer, her mind consumed by the implications of Charlie's confession.

"I think I might be addicted to y