An eerie stillness pervaded the stark hospital chamber, dominated by a pristine white hue. Mary sat quietly, her deep gaze laden with myriad thoughts. If one were to encapsulate her emotions with just a word, it would undoubtedly be “heart-wrenching.”
In a world where a man once always wielded words of bitterness and disdain towards her, he now lay as but a soulless shell. A pang of regret struck her- how she wished he could return to days gone by, for perhaps she could find peace. She had harbored thoughts of revenge, but seeing him void of consciousness stirred a sudden compassion within her. Love was innate, yet she pondered if she had squandered too much of it on him.
In the serene stillness, a gentle knock echoed, causing Mary to startle and whirl around.
Joy arrived at the hospital carrying some food for Mary. Seeing Andrew lying motionless in bed, caught in a limbo between life and death, Joy felt a pang of sorrow for Mary. Since admission to the hospital, Andrew hadn’t yet regained consciousness, and Mary had tirelessly stayed by his side to care for him.
Softly, Joy spoke, “Mary, you should eat something. You need to maintain your strength. With the current situation, who knows when he will wake up? If you continue neglecting your health, you might collapse before he can regain consciousness.”
Mary turned to face Joy, her eyes filled with melancholy. Somehow, Joy had become a colleague, friend, confidante, and surrogate sister. Recently, she had taken care of business matters, Bryan’s funeral, and now Andrew’s situation.
Mary walked over to the sofa and sat, her weary hand pouring a glass of water. She took a sip, put it down, and spoke listlessly, “The doctor said his nerve damage is severe and will require extensive for a long. There’s still a chance he may wake up, but it’s slim. Sometimes, I want to ignore everything, given that I’m grappling with my pain. But then, I can’t turn away because now, besides me, he has no one else he knows. You might think I’m weak or unable to let go of the past, but in the end, he faced this calamity trying to save me.”
Gently gripping Mary’s hand, Joy comforted her.
“Everyone’s life has moments of profound sorrow. This is indeed overwhelming, but I believe you’ll overcome it. Life’s storms are the crossroads that help us grow, develop resilience, and succeed. The meeting between you two seems fated-why else would you still be connected after going through so much together?”
Suddenly, Joy paused, her expression darkening as if recalling her unpleasantries, then continued, “When readers and the publishing industry boycotted me, I wanted to end my life. If I couldn’t create literature, my life would be as good as over.”
Tears began to trickle down her cheeks; Joy brushed them away and forced a smile. “Sometimes the stumbles and failures help you realize your true worth. Nobody achieves success without experiencing failure-we’re no different.”
Mary understood why Pearl’s works always bore the hallmark of deep life experiences and profound philosophy. It was becauseJoy had navigated through life’s many ups and downs.
Mary paused for a moment before speaking. “I have a favor to ask of you. Could you help manage the publishing house for me?”
Joy looked up, her eyes intently focused. “Why is that?”
“I know I shouldn’t burden you with this, but I have no one else to turn to. I might be swamped and can’t attend the office. You’ll have to handle things.”
“Will you continue to look after him, now and in the future?”
Mary didn’t answer, but it was clear in Joy’s heart. The enduring plight of a loving woman is seldom easy. Though she had never heard a declaration of love from the man she adored, she stayed by his side, supporting and accompanying him. Mary still hoped for Andrew, but Bryan was another story.
If only Bryan could spare a moment to think about her, perhaps she would find some comfort. Like footprints unknowingly moving forward, Joy ventured into the next chapter of her life alone. Life is full of surprises; maturity comes when we realize that not everything goes as planned, yet acceptance is the key.
…
After Joy left, Mary sat alone, staring at the bed where Andrew lay. A piercing wave of icy emotion surged through her. The man she loved was gone, and the man she had loved was in a state of unknown awakening. She pondered, had she done the right thing?
She had grown much stronger since losing her loved ones, yet a vulnerability fragment lingered in her heart. Everything felt like a nightmare that had ravaged her life and soul.
Each day, she sat here, watching the man on the bed, contemplating the myriad experiences she had been through. She despised Andrew and Agnes, but then there were moments when she silently thanked them. Without them, she might have already collapsed.
They had wronged her out of hatred and greed, yet she couldn’t stoop to their level of hostility. If she did so, she would become just as selfish and narrow-minded as them.
Had Mary known from the start that Andrew approached her out of spite, she would have advised him not to make that mistake.
Joy fully grasps that this is a profoundly difficult decision, given that the harm Andrew inflicted upon Mary is unforgivable. However, harboring resentment will only sap her of her positive energy over time.
Furthermore, Andrew’s current state could be viewed as a form of punishment he has already received.
Love mingled with hatred had brought misery to all, but few could evade these trials of life.