A pair of warm hands gently wiped away my tears-it was Elizabeth.
Her eyes were red, and she choked up as she asked, “Corey, did you dream about Mrs. Richards?”
I nodded, unable to speak.
The pain on my face flared up again, and my insides felt like they were burning.
“The doctor has removed all the glass shards from your palm. Your nose was broken by Jade’s kick, but the surgery was successful. The doctor said you’ll heal in about three months.”
Elizabeth’s voice filled with anger. “That woman was so cruel to you!”
“Don’t worry, she’s been taken away by the police. All your medical expenses will be covered by her.”
“And Ashton? The moment she was arrested, he ran away with his tail between his legs. What a joke!”
A warmth spread through me, easing the depression and pain I had felt these past days.
“Thank you, Holly.”
Elizabeth was surprised to hear me call her that, joy lighting up her face.
“You finally called me like you used to when we were kids!”
After I started dating Jade, Elizabeth had gone abroad for her studies.
Before she left, we had a big argument.
Because I was with Jade, I stopped calling her Holly and began declining her invitations.
I explained, “Elizabeth, you’re grown up now, and I can’t call you that anymore. What if it causes unnecessary misunderstandings? What if your future boyfriend gets jealous?”
I smiled as I said it, but she got angry instead.
“I don’t have a boyfriend! But you-are you doing this because you’re afraid your girlfriend will get mad? Are you distancing yourself from me just to please her?”
Elizabeth bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears.
I sighed, not denying it.
After all, Jade was proud and possessive. She didn’t like me getting too close to any other women.
“I get it. I won’t bother you anymore. Don’t worry!”
With those words, Elizabeth ran off, covering her face.
I didn’t see her again after that. A month later, my mom told me she had gone abroad for further studies.
I didn’t think much of it and was happy for Elizabeth, though my mom seemed a little disappointed.
“I used to think you and Holly would end up together. After all, you two have been close since you were kids. But I guess…”
“Mom, I’ve always seen Elizabeth as a sister. Don’t say things like that around Jade. It would hurt her feelings.”
I cut her off, and my mom just smiled.
“Alright, alright, I know you love Jade. I like her too! As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me.”
Thinking about this now, a pang of sorrow hit my heart, and tears welled up again.
Mom, I failed you. I was blind and chose the wrong person.
“Corey, stop thinking about it. Mrs. Richards wouldn’t want to see you like this.”
Elizabeth’s gentle voice comforted me, but suddenly I remembered-I hadn’t paid my respects to my mother today!
It was as if Elizabeth knew what I was thinking. She smiled and opened a lunchbox beside her, scooping some porridge and bringing it to my mouth.
“Eat. After you finish, we’ll handle your discharge papers, and I’ll take you home.”
I nodded, deeply touched.
As I took each spoonful of porridge she fed me, the door to the room suddenly swung open.
“Corey, how could you let her feed you?!”
It was Jade.