Anderson looked much thinner now as he lay on the hospital bed, his once-thick black hair streaked with touches of gray, beads of sweat continuously forming on his forehead. Olivia’s face was streaked with tears as she sat by the bed, holding her father’s hand, her eyes filled with both worry and fear. Anderson turned his face slightly to look at his daughter. Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through his body, but he gritted his teeth and forced a smile to reassure Olivia. “It’s nothing, sweetheart, just a minor issue. Once the test results are back, you’ll feel at ease.”
Not long ago, Anderson had suddenly collapsed at work and was rushed to the hospital. Although he had received initial treatment, Olivia still didn’t know the specific cause of his illness.
“These days, you've been home alone, with no one to take care of you. If it’s just for a few days, that’s fine, but if it goes on too long...” Anderson trailed off. Olivia looked at him, puzzled.
“My thought is, you could stay at your mom’s place for a while. She can take good care of you. What do you think, Olivia?” Anderson asked carefully, watching his daughter’s reaction.
Olivia shook her head firmly. “I want to stay home by myself.”
“I know you may not want to, but there are some things you need to get used to. A lot is changing, and it’s not something I can explain clearly right now... In short, I just want to know you’ll be taken care of. I know it’s selfish of me to ask this, but please, do it for me.” Anderson’s expression was one of pain.
Olivia felt at a loss, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse her father. The doctor came in to check on Anderson’s condition, and Olivia went home to rest. Just as she stepped out of the hospital, she saw her mother waving at her, smiling brightly.
Olivia followed her mother to her house, which was much bigger than where Olivia lived. The house was lavishly decorated and spotlessly clean. Her mother, Christina, didn’t live alone; she lived with her boyfriend, James. James didn’t seem particularly excited or displeased about Olivia’s arrival, but the way he sized her up made Olivia feel uncomfortable.
Already in a low mood, Olivia’s introverted nature left her unsure of what to say in this unfamiliar environment. She retreated early to the bedroom to rest.
Despite being in bed, Olivia couldn’t fall asleep, tossing and turning. All she could think about was her father’s health. But she also had her studies and other responsibilities to focus on, and the weight of everything piling up made her feel both exhausted and anxious.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter startled Olivia. It was her mother’s voice, coming from the next room. The sound of Christina and her boyfriend laughing and playing together only made Olivia feel more irritated. In that moment, Olivia realized more clearly than ever that no one could truly understand what she was going through. Instead of seeking empathy that wasn’t there, it was better to face it on her own and grow from it.
It was past midnight, and the world outside had grown quiet. Olivia opened the door and walked into the street, heading toward her own home. After passing through a deserted neighborhood, she noticed a drunk man stumbling behind her, holding a bottle of alcohol. He began to follow her. Sensing the danger, she broke into a sprint, running as fast as she could, the sound of drunken laughter, shattering glass, and slurred whistling trailing behind her.
When she finally reached her doorstep, Olivia was overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry uncontrollably. The light in Donna’s room was still on. Hearing the noise, Donna pulled back her curtains and saw Olivia crouched in the hallway outside. Donna rushed out to her side. They exchanged a glance before embracing each other tightly.