“Why did you come back? Please leave,” Emily said, her face contorting in pain as she clutched her stomach. Waves of cramps washed over her.
“I can’t leave you like this. What’s wrong with your stomach?” Daniel asked, his voice filled with concern.
“My stomach… feels like I need to go to the bathroom,” Emily whispered, her voice barely audible.
Daniel reached out his hand. “Let me help.”
His touch was gentle as he helped Emily to her feet, supporting her weight as she held onto the IV pole. His eyes were filled with concern as he guided her towards the bathroom.
Reaching the bathroom, Daniel guided Emily to the toilet and helped her sit down. Emily felt a slight nervousness as Daniel’s hand touched hers.
“Thank you,” Emily said awkwardly, her eyes meeting his with gratitude.
Daniel simply nodded, his eyes meeting Emily’s for a moment before he turned and exited the bathroom. A few moments later, Emily emerged from the bathroom as well. Daniel was still standing outside, leaning against the wall, his hands folded in front of him.
“You’re still here?” Emily asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
“I was waiting for you. Is your stomach feeling better?” Daniel inquired.
Emily nodded, smiling. “It was probably just a stomach ache from the cold,” she said.
Daniel carefully supported Emily back to her bed.
“Thank you,” Emily whispered.
“No problem,” Daniel replied, his eyes still fixed on her. “Do you need anything else?”
“Can you get me a glass of water? I’m thirsty,” Emily replied, her voice still weak.
Daniel promptly fetched a glass of water and handed it to Emily. “Drink slowly,” he said.
Emily accepted the glass and sipped the water slowly, enjoying the coolness flowing down her throat.
“Feeling better?” Daniel asked, his eyes on Emily.
“Yes, thank you,” Emily replied, a faint smile appearing on her lips. A warm feeling spread through her chest from receiving attention from Daniel again after so long.
‘You can be so annoying sometimes, but also so caring,’ Emily thought, gazing intensely at Daniel.
“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked gently, interrupting Emily’s thoughts. “Do you need anything else?”
Emily quickly shook her head. “Oh, no. I don’t need anything else.”
“I’ll stop by your house later to get some spare clothes for you. Is there anything else you want to take?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t think there’s anything else. I’m sorry for inconveniencing you,” Emily replied.
“I didn’t get a chance to lock your house earlier because I was in a hurry. Where did you put your house key?” Daniel asked.
“My key is in the dresser drawer in my bedroom,” Emily answered.
Daniel nodded in understanding. “Alright, I’ll get it. Rest up,” he said before leaving Emily alone in the room.
‘Will you continue to keep that secret to yourself, Daniel?’ Emily thought as she watched Daniel leave.
After a while on the road, Daniel finally arrived at Emily’s house. Entering Emily’s room, his eyes fell on several photos of Emily and Grace on the nightstand next to the bed. He picked up one photo, his fingers feeling cold as he touched its surface. The smiles of Emily and Grace in the photo seemed so distant and hard to reach for him. Gently, he placed the photo back, his own reflection in the mirror seemingly reflecting his inner turmoil.
Daniel stood in front of Emily’s wardrobe, his eyes on the neatly folded clothes inside. He picked up a few pieces, including her undergarments, and carefully placed them in a bag. His phone suddenly rang, breaking his reverie.
“Hello,” Daniel answered.
“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Daniel. I just wanted to remind you about the InnoTech product launch event this afternoon,” Richard said, his voice formal.
“Ah, right. I almost forgot,” Daniel replied. “Thank you for reminding me. I’ll head there soon.”
“Alright, sir,” Richard responded.
Daniel glanced at the clothes he had prepared for Emily. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to return to the hospital that afternoon.
***
The door to Emily’s room opened, and Maria, Daniel’s house assistant, walked in. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Maria greeted respectfully. “Mr. Daniel asked me to help you.”
Emily gave a faint smile. “Ah, I see,” she replied, her voice sounding weak, slightly disappointed that Daniel couldn’t accompany her. “It seems he didn’t need to trouble you by asking you to come here.”
“I’m sure Master is worried about you. That’s why he asked me to come,” Maria replied.
“Are you feeling a bit better?” Maria asked gently.
Emily nodded and smiled weakly. The argument with Daniel before had truly drained her, especially while she was feeling unwell. “I’m feeling a bit better,” she said.
The door to Emily’s room opened again. Grace ran in with a worried look on her face. She hugged her mother, who lay weak in bed.
“Mom,” Grace called out, tears flowing from her red eyes. Her nose was also running. “Is Mom feeling better? I’m very scared, Mom.”
Emily tried to sit up, her body feeling weak. Daniel’s house assistant, Maria, helped her. “Maria, can you give me some tissues?” she requested.
“Of course, ma’am,” Maria replied, quickly fetching tissues and handing them to Emily. Emily’s gaze then turned to Richard, who stood beside Grace. “Thank you, Richard,” she said.
“Alright, then I’ll leave,” Richard bid farewell.
“Where is Uncle Daniel?” Grace asked, her eyes searching the room. Her gaze then turned to Maria, who stood nearby. “Who is this aunt?”
“Mr. Daniel instructed me to assist Mrs. Emily if she needs help here,” Maria replied.
“Uncle Daniel lied to me,” Grace said. “He promised me he would take care of Mom here. He’s like a father who left us without a word.”
Emily’s eyes met Maria’s, exchanging glances before Emily spoke. “Mom is sure Uncle Daniel is very busy,” she said, trying to calm Grace. She stroked her daughter’s hair, hoping to soothe her emotions.
‘Grace loves Daniel so much,’ Emily thought, a feeling of tightness in her chest. ‘Why does my fate have to be like this? If I choose to stay with Daniel and ignore fate, can you remove that cruel fate from me, God?’
***
Night had fallen, and Emily was talking with Grace and Maria when the room door opened, revealing Daniel who had returned. He had changed into more casual attire, and a faint smile adorned his face.
“Uncle Daniel!” Grace exclaimed joyfully, running to him. “I thought Uncle wouldn’t come back.”
“Didn’t Uncle promise you?” Daniel said.
“I thought Uncle was like Dad, who didn’t keep his promise to return,” Grace said, her eyes teary. “He left Mom and me just like that.”
Emily was surprised to hear her daughter’s words. “Grace, dear…” She tried to calm Grace, but the words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat.
Maria, standing nearby, also looked surprised. She could feel Grace’s disappointment and understand the pain Emily was feeling.
Daniel could only smile sadly. “Grace, would you like to stay at Uncle’s house today?” he asked, hoping to divert Grace’s attention.
“But what about Mom? I’ll take care of Mom here,” Grace replied.
“Uncle will take care of her here,” Daniel replied, trying to reassure Grace.
“Really? Uncle won’t lie and leave Mom again, right?” Grace asked, her eyes filled with hope.
Daniel and Emily’s eyes met for a moment, as if they shared the same pain. “Uncle won’t leave Mom again,” Daniel said softly. “Forgive me. I had an important task earlier that couldn’t be postponed.”
Grace nodded. “Alright, I trust Uncle.”
“Come on, I will take you home. It’s already night,” Daniel said to Grace, then he looked at Maria. “Please take care of Grace tonight.”
“Uncle doesn’t need to worry,” Grace replied. “Aunt is very kind to me. You just need to take care of Mom.”
“Alright, let’s go,” Daniel said.
“Mom, I’ll come back here tomorrow,” Grace said with a smile, waving to Emily.
After escorting Grace and Maria back home, Daniel returned to the hospital room. Emily appeared to be sleeping soundly, her breathing steady and calm. He helped Emily tidy up the blanket covering her body. When Daniel was about to leave, Emily’s hand held him back. “Daniel,” her voice sounded weak.