Chapter 253
was already early winter, and the wind carried a biting chill in the dead of night. Since most of Stephanie’s clothes got soaked in Flaming Bar Molly immediately pushed her into the bathroom for a hot bath when they returned to the apartment.
Stephanie was unusually quiet, a silence that made Molly very y uneasy.
As soon as the bathroom door was closed, Molly paced nervously outside, afraid she might soak too long and pass out, or worse, do something foolish due to the shock.
Fortunately about fifteen minutes later, the bathroom door opened
“Your hair is all wet from the bath. Let me get the hairdryer. Molly said as she hurriedly fetched it, along with the household first aid kit.
Molly’s tiny apartment was about 700 square feet. The master bedroom had an en–suite bathroom, while the separate bathroom was on the small balcony. Since the master bedroom was Molly’s, Stephanie, respecting others‘ privacy or perhaps due to a deep–seated reluctance to be close to anyone, always chose to use the bathroom outside on the balcony
Molly finally dried Stephanie’s long hair and led her to the guest room. She quickly opened the first aid kit and began to massage the bruises around Stephanie’s wrist. “Does your wrist still hurt?” Molly asked
Stephanie sat on the edge of the bed, expressionless and silent, but she didn’t refuse Molly’s help. As Molly applied the medicinal alcohol to her bruises, she cursed angrily. “That bastard Dominick actually grabbed your wrist so hard it bruised. Is he out of his mind“”
When Molly mentioned Dominick, she glanced up at Stephanie cautiously and lowered her voice, calling softly. “Stephanie..
Her quietness made Molly worry even more.
“Stephanie, if you’re feeling upset, just say it. Don’t keep in bottled up. I’ll do my best to help you” As soon as she spoke, Molly’s eyes welled up with
cars.
Seeing her friend crying so hard. Stephanie trembled slightly and croaked out a few words. “I’m fine.”
But hearing her speak only made Molly cry harder. “Stephanie, don’t worry. You have us, your friends. Women today are independent. We don’t need to please or rely on anyone. We can earn our own living and spend our own money. When we have money, we spend it. When we don’t, we live frugally. We can still have a good life on ouT OWN.””
She threw the bottle of medicinal alcohol aside and hugged Stephanie tightly, her voice choked with emotion, desperately trying to find the right words to comfort her. “Look at you, always walking on eggshells since you married Dominick. Even if they serve you gourmet food, you’d still lose your appetite. If they don’t appreciate you, remember we still got us. Just don’t do anything foolish..
Molly hugged her tightly, feeling the bones of her emaciated frame. In just over a month, Stephanie had lost more than 20 pounds, and the more Molly thought about it, the more heartbroken she felt.
Stephanie let her hug her without saying a word, only tensing up whenever Molly mentioned the Wellingtons” or “Dominick
It wasn’t until Oscar knocked on the door a few times that Molly snapped out of it. She looked up, embarrassed to see that she had soaked Stephanie’s freshly changed clothes with her tears, and instantly felt guilty.
Seeing Stephanie remain indifferent while she herself was a tearful mess made Molly wonder whether she was too weak or Stephanie was pretending to be too strong. If she had a choice, she’d rather it be the former
be hungry. Let’s have some
You mu
some oatmeal before going to sleep, Molly said, standing up and pulling Stephanie along without any further ado,
Stephanie didn’t resist her pulling. As they reached the door, she suddenly rasped. “Thank you”
Molly’s eyes welled up again.
Oscar had made some oatmeal. He was a really good cook. Even a simple bowl of oatmeal tasted so good, with the right balance of softness and warmth, comforting the stomach.
Molly served two bowls and placed them in front of Stephanie. Oscar sat with them at the table, but he didn’t seem to have an appetite and didn’t touch the oatmeal.
“Oscar, you haven’t eaten all day. Have some, too. Molly said, increasingly taking on a caretaker role
However, Oscar showed no interest in the bowl of oatmeal she offered. He didn’t move, just quietly sitting with them, seemingly waiting for something.
When Molly and Stephanie finished their meal and were about to get up, he looked at Stephanie and spoke. “Dominick has forgotten everyone.”
Oscar’s voice was as clear and pleasant as ever, gentle like water.
But Molly was stunned at the dining table, unable to process his meaning. His sudden statement seemed inexplicable.
10:35 AM ď ď·
Chapter 253
Molly wanted to ask more, but Oscar had already gotten up and walked to the living room. He sat on the couch his brows slightly furrowed. seemingly deep in thought.
Having spent time with him, Molly knew he wasn’t much of a talker. They had been out all day and were exhausted. Moreover, Oscar had a fight with Dominick earlier. The bruises on his back and nose still hadn’t healed.
Not wanting to disturb him. Molly decided it was time to get some rest. She gently dragged Stephanie to the guest room.
“Do you think Oscar had more to say! Why did he just drop that one line out of nowhere?” Molly muttered to herself. Stephanie seemed like she wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent.
Molly closed the windows in the guest room, ensuring the temperature was comfortable without the need for heating, before heading back to her
own room
Soon, the cozy little apartment fell quiet
About an hour later, the door to the guest room was gently opened, and Stephanie stepped out
She walked to the living room and saw Oscar leaning against the couch, asleep. He looked exhausted.
Stephanie stood there for a long while, watching him. Eventually, without saying a word, she reached out and turned off the main light, leaving only a small lamp on.
“Dominick has forgotten everyone.” What he meant was Dominick had forgotten everyone, not just Stephanie.
Oscar’s way of comforting others had always been unique, ever since he was a child.