Chapter 262
I was afraid he might squat down to help me put on my shoes, so I shook my head and said, “It’s okay. I’ll just wear these.”
My house slippers were soft and comfortable, and they’d be easy to slip off during the treatment.
“Alright. I suppose it works, since we’ll be in the car most of the time,” Soren remarked.
He held me with one hand while using the other to push open the door, gently reminding me to watch my step and take my time.
No ordinary friend, let alone a male friend, would be this considerate, patient, and gentle in taking care of
someone.
Even though I hadn’t explicitly acknowledged our relationship, his recent actions spoke louder than any words. I was just being stubborn on the surface, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t escape anymore.
Silence settled in the car. Then, as Soren quietly reached over to hold my hand, I turned to look out the window without pulling away.
The thought that he’d liked me since he was a teenager made my heart bubble like a hot spring, overflowing with happiness and shyness.
I couldn’t help but wonder how heartbreaking it would have been for him if Edward and I had gone through with the wedding, making myself permanently unavailable to him.
Just as Jean had said, Edward had unknowingly become my ‘lucky charm.” He may have taken up many of my years, but ended up leading me to someone much better.
I let out a quiet sigh in my heart, marveling at how the universe’s whims truly worked in mysterious ways.
Well… I was still terrified of the acupuncture treatment when we arrived at the hospital.
But perhaps because I had just learned about Soren’s feelings for me, I suddenly felt the need to “maintain my image.”
Too embarrassed to bury my face in his chest, I pretended to be strong.
Of course, Soren saw right through me. He pulled up a chair and sat beside me, holding my hand as he reassured me, “Just look away if you’re scared. It’ll be over soon.”
“I’m not scared…”
He glanced at me and chuckled. “It’s okay to be scared. I won’t tease you today.”
Aaaaah! How I wanted to disappear from the sheer embarrassment I felt at that moment!
Halfway through the treatment, my phone rang.
Soren let go of my hand, and I fumbled in my pocket to see who it was. My aunt was calling.
Worried something might have happened to my grandmother, I quickly answered. “Hello, Aunt Sarah?”
“Hello, Tay–Tay! Are you going straight to the cemetery tomorrow, or are you coming to Grandma’s place first so we can go together?” she asked.
1
My mind went blank for a moment before I suddenly remembered that tomorrow was my mother’s death anniversary!
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Chapter 262
“Aunt Sarah, I…” I looked down at my legs, unsure whether to tell the truth.
Just then, the doctor inserted another needle, causing me to inhale sharply in pain.
Alarmed, my aunt immediately asked, “What’s wrong, Tay Tay? What are you doing?”
“Aunt Sarah… I hurt my legs in a fall during a team–building hike with my colleagues yesterday. I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the cemetery tomorrow.”
She fired off a string of worried questions. “You hurt your legs? How bad is it? Why didn’t you say anything sooner? Why do you always hide your troubles? Where are you now? Is someone taking care of you?”
I quickly reassured her, explaining that a friend was with me.
After a lengthy round of comforting, my aunt finally calmed down a little. “We’ll talk about tomorrow’s arrangements later. For now, just focus on recovering. I’ll come see you later.”
Knowing I couldn’t stop her, I agreed repeatedly before hanging up the phone.
Soren looked at me. “It’s your mother’s death anniversary tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’d go to the cemetery with my aunt and grandmother every year on this day to visit her, but… I don’t think I can go this year.”
The cemetery was on a hill, with steps leading up. While I could manage the flat ground, there was no way I could handle the stairs.
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Chapter 263
Chapter 263
