CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138: MEMORY SEGMENT (38)

Florence Fuller gritted her teeth as she looked at him: "Really interesting, really interesting..."

Charles Shaw kept his head down: "I’m sorry."

"I don’t want to hear it!" Florence retorted coldly, "What’s the use of ’sorry’? Saying sorry can erase your guilt."

Charles didn’t say any more.

Evelyn Shaw came out of the hospital room, and the three of them fell silent in an instant.

"Dad sent you back, took the money, and mom’s condition was treated because of that money, but she was never happy."

"Florence, you know what kind of person mom is. Her illness had to be treated with that money, but that money came from sending away the daughter she raised. What do you think mom and dad feel? Can they really meet you without any guilt?"

Evelyn’s voice trembled as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Florence looked at Charles, then at Evelyn: "Do both of you think this way too?"

Charles and Evelyn exchanged glances but said nothing.

Florence understood.

She nodded repeatedly, a look of resolute sadness on her face: "Fine!"

She turned and left.

Ethan Harper, who had been waiting for her in the distance, seemed to understand her emotions. He glanced at the siblings far away and then followed Florence’s steps.

He caught up with Florence and silently held her hand, walking out of the hospital together.

Hearing her sobbing, Ethan looked down at her and gently said, "Don’t cry anymore; you’ve been crying all day, your eyes must be sore."

Florence sobbed even harder.

"What right do they have to do this? I don’t even care about being sent back to the Fuller family anymore; why can’t they just let it go?"

"Maybe you’ve let go, but they haven’t."

Florence looked at him.

"Go eat something; you haven’t eaten all day."

"I can’t eat."

"Then..." Ethan wiped away the tears from her face: "Can you tell me your story?"

Florence blinked and nodded.

____

The night in Southtown was cold, the chilly wind blowing, tossing the stray hair on Florence’s cheeks. Ethan’s fingertips brushed past her icy face, taking away the bitter tears.

"I know it hurts a lot, but compared to their attempt to distance themselves and draw the line, I think you want to see your mom get better even more."

Florence nodded repeatedly: "I really want to see her, but I’m afraid of seeing her look guilty; I don’t want to see that expression."

"Maybe when she gets better one day, your relationship will improve." Ethan held her hand tightly, "I’ve already contacted some expert doctors from abroad, and they’ll come in a couple of days."

Florence stared at him intently: "You... so..."

"We’ll provide the best medication to help your mother with chemotherapy." Ethan smiled reassuringly at her: "The day will come, Florence."

Florence suddenly threw herself into his arms: "Thank you, Ethan."

She felt confused all day, lost in deep sorrow. She hadn’t considered Ethan, who came along with her.

But his presence made her feel that she wasn’t alone.

Florence took out a bank card from her pocket: "There’s still over seven hundred thousand left on this card. Charles and Evelyn are both in college, and dad is gone. I don’t know how much money they still have, but I don’t want them to struggle."

"I can’t see mom, but can you buy something tomorrow and visit her for me? Then leave this card with them— the password is four ones."

Ethan took the card: "Okay, I’ll bring it over tomorrow."

Florence nodded, "The money for the specialists... count it on me, could you liaise with the experts and the hospital without letting them know?"

"You’re afraid it’ll be a burden for them."

Florence nodded: "I’ll definitely earn that money back for you in the future."

Ethan nodded: "Okay."

They returned to the hotel. Ethan ordered a meal for her; Florence could only force down a couple of mouthfuls before wanting to go back to her room to be alone.

Ethan gave her the private space she needed, while he contacted the specialists and coordinated with the hospital.

A sleepless night.

Ethan prepared things for the hospital early in the morning: a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket.

If it were something relatively significant, Florence would not have them accept it.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Florence waited downstairs while Ethan went up.

Amelia Linney’s hospital room was a double occupancy; Ethan knocked on the door from outside, and a stranger lady opened it.

Early in the morning, with a handsome guy holding flowers and fruits, the lady took a look: "Who are you looking for?"

"Is Ms. Linney in this room?"

"Yes, yes." The lady opened the door and shouted inside: "Charles, someone is here to see you."

After she shouted, she stepped aside: "Come on in."

"Thank you."

Ethan walked in and faced Charles directly; Charles’s expression visibly tensed up: "Why... why are you here?"

He didn’t see anyone behind Ethan.

Florence didn’t come?

"Who’s here?" Amelia Linney’s voice came, and Ethan came into her view.

Amelia was visibly stunned by his appearance, as this man’s looks and aura were decidedly extraordinary.

"Hello, Auntie." Ethan maintained his composure: "I’m a friend of Charles, Ethan Harper."

"Hello, hello." Amelia nodded: "Come, sit down, bring a chair for him."

Evelyn took the things from his hands, and Charles moved a chair over, just standing by the side.

"Why bring stuff when you visit." Amelia seemed visibly weak, her smile seemed strained: "You’ve troubled yourself."

"No, not at all." Ethan smiled gently.

"Are you from the same school as Charles?"

"Yes, I am, though I’ve graduated. I knew him from school. I’m on my way home, and I’ve never come to see you despite knowing Charles for so long."

Evelyn listened to Ethan’s familiar words and watched his earnest expression, not at all seeming made-up.

If she hadn’t seen this man with Florence the day before, she might have believed what Ethan said.

She would have truly believed he knew her brother.

"You’re not from around here? Where is your home?"

"Cloudsea City."

Charles and Evelyn’s expressions tightened.

"Oh, that’s a wonderful place," Amelia responded, her expression briefly stiff, then mumbled.

Ethan nodded.

"Because of my illness, poor Charles has been running back and forth between school and the hospital. If he behaves poorly sometimes, I hope you’ll excuse him."

Charles feared any slip-ups could not be covered, but Ethan chatted in such commonplace terms, pulling him into the conversation without arousing Amelia’s suspicion.

Time was running out, and Ethan had to leave.

After escorting him out of the room, Charles asked, "Why did you come? Where’s Florence?"

"She didn’t come." Ethan’s demeanor now differed from the gentle image in the room: "Do you want her to come?"

Charles stayed silent.