Chapter 337
“Of course. I’m good at pairing up my close friends.” I smiled smugly,
Colin held me gently in his arms. He touched my forehead with his face and placed my right hand above his heart. Then, he croaked, “You silly girl, you almost scared me there. Don’t act on your own again. No matter what, just let me handle everything for you.
“You just have to stay by my side like a princess.”
I found it hard to accept Colin’s sudden change of mood.
I mewled affirmatively and snuggled in his arms. Listening to his steady heartbeat and taking in the pine–scented cologne on him, I felt calm and safe–like a rescued kitten.
Colin planted many kisses on my hair as I held his cheek. We felt the warmth from each other.
It was a peaceful moment.
Outside, Dad asked Mom why she didn’t go inside.
Mom stopped Dad and let him sit outside for a while. She said that we were having a special moment inside, so she didn’t want to interrupt us.
I was so embarrassed I wished I could sink into the mattress. Colin shot me a devilish grin, pinned me down, and teased, “How considerate of my future mother–in–law. I must treat her well in the future.”
Four days into my admission, the doctor said that I could get out of bed and move within the close vicinity. However, I had to take care not to overexert myself.
I was elated when my feet touched the ground.
Being able to walk on my own was such a blessing.
It was morning, and Colin hadn’t come yet. I then asked my parents to bring me to Felix.
There was a ruckus when we arrived at the ICU. Colin was helping the nurse transfer Felix to a normal ward. Upon seeing me there, he was surprised at first and then he gave me a warm smirk.
To reassure him, I let go of Mom’s hand and waddled forward like a duckling. That widened
1/2
the smirk on his face successfully.
On the other hand, Uncle Austin was busy steadying Aunt Mel.
She had become even more crest fallen after these few days. She had lost a lot of weight, and her messy hair draped lazily on her shoulder.
Mom hesitated for a while before approaching her. Then, she patted Aunt Mel’s shoulder. There, there, Melinda. Felix will wake up.”
“I know.” She smiled wryly and gazed at me. “Felix needed me these few days, so I couldn’t visit you, Lulu. How are you feeling?”
I walked toward her and stood upright. Then, I gave her a sincere bow. “I’m sorry, Aunt Mel. Felix got hurt when saving me.”
No words could bring comfort to her. Even this belated apology served no use.
Still, I had to apologize.
“It’s not your fault. Colin told me that you got into an accident when you went out to buy medicine for him.” She looked outside the window with her teary eyes. The crow’s feet by the corners of her eyes had deepened.
“This is his destiny. Nothing can alter that.”
I was told that after the accident, Aunt Mel went to consult a fortune teller. That was
probably why she said something so fatalistic.
Right then, Felix was pushed out by the nurses.
His
eyes were shut tight as he lay motionlessly. There was no color on his face. Even his usually cherry–red lips were discolored. His bare shoulders lent view to his skeletal,
malnourished frame.
Apart from his breathing rhythm, he was no different from a mummy. There was no sign of
life on him.
Because of me, he was in this state.