"It seems like our hangout plan has to be canceled," Flavia whispered. "Can you take me home?" she asked softly. Eijaz looked at Flavia's pale face and assumed that she was still experiencing a headache. He just nodded in response, then guided Flavia to walk towards the parking lot. "Do you want to drop by somewhere first?" Flavia offered when they were getting close to Antony's house. Eijaz shook his head, politely declining. He felt that Flavia needed rest at the moment. If he visited, he would disturb the girl's resting time. "Get some rest. Take your medicine and don't stress too much," he said gently, stroking the top of Flavia's head. Flavia smiled, feeling more grateful because of Eijaz's understanding in rejecting her offer. After thanking him, Flavia got out of the car. Entering through the side door, Flavia found her stepmother breastfeeding her baby brother. Flavia approached, sat
"That will only happen temporarily. Your grandmother is not that wicked, even though it may seem like it now. "As a mother, she just wants the best for her child. Someday, you will understand that feeling. Because that's what I feel for you, for Ignazio, Francisca, and Meizar right now. I know you are the best for Gladwin, and vice versa. There is no greater happiness and comfort than living with someone who loves us and whom we love." "I am confident that even though your grandmother opposes your relationship now, eventually, she will soften. You must believe that God is the ultimate changer of hearts. God Almighty is in control of His creatures. Doctors may give any prognosis, but it is God who determines our fate. "If God wishes for something else, then what He wills shall happen." Claire embraced her daughter again, who was once more immersed in tears. Unbeknownst to Flavia, her father observed her silently.
Gladwin widened his eyes when he saw Antony in a power struggle with Flavia, who was now lying on the floor, in a rebellious position, writhing to release her father's grip. The girl convulsed in pain, and simultaneously, Gladwin saw blood coming from Flavia's nose. "Flavia.." Gladwin's voice sounded like a whisper in his ears. He was frozen, and Flavia seemed to open her eyes for a split second, looking straight at him before then slumping weakly into her father's arms. "Flavia?!" Gladwin shouted loudly, rushing over and grabbing Flavia from her father's lap. Checking her pulse. Gone! Her breath was also absent. "Flavia, my love. Wake up." He ordered while gently patting Flavia's cheek. There was no response, so reluctantly, Gladwin started performing CPR on her. Abigail, who had just arrived, looked shocked at the panic unfolding in her aunt's house. She stood still, watching Gladwin trying to administer first ai
"You want to know Gladwin's feelings for you, right?" Flavia nodded. "In that case, just follow him to the airport. Talk to him face to face," suggested her uncle, instilling courage in Flavia from somewhere. Her uncle and aunt were right; it's better to face rejection directly than to speculate about something that may not be true. Flavia finally decided to go. She declined Altezza's offer to drive her and chose to hail a taxi, asking the driver to hurry. There was still enough time until her uncle's flight took off. However, Flavia remained afraid. Who knows, the flight schedule might suddenly be moved up. The car Flavia boarded entered the road leading to the international airport when, in the opposite direction, a freight truck lost control after a tire blowout. The taxi's speed and the truck's imbalance led to a collision. The truck hit the taxi Flavia was in, dragging them backward for dozens of meters until the car finally came to a stop on the side of
A week after the last attack, Flavia was finally transferred to a regular hospital room. Abigail faithfully stayed by her side, continuously urging Flavia to open her eyes. Two weeks later, Flavia finally woke up. By then, her rib bones had healed, as had her clavicle. Only her left leg remained pinned. Flavia seemed disoriented, gazing at everyone with a puzzled expression. Antony even thought his daughter might be suffering from amnesia, but the doctor stated that her memory was intact, albeit slightly shocked. She remembered who she was, her parents, and the last thing that happened to her. The first thing she asked when her full consciousness returned was, "How is the taxi driver?" She cried when the doctor informed her that the taxi driver had passed away on the spot. Then a new fact struck them. After further observation, Flavia was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. "It's not permanent. Spinal cord injurie
Silence enveloped Gladwin and Abigail as they sat in the quiet hospital corridor. It was approaching dawn when Abigail finished narrating the lengthy tale of Flavia.Anger welled up in Gladwin. Disappointment in himself and shame for Flavia, making the girl he loved struggle alone, surged simultaneously. "Why didn't any of you tell me?" was the only question that escaped Gladwin's lips."Because that's what Flavia wanted," Abigail replied softly."To hell with her wishes!" Gladwin glared at Abigail in anger. "Do you think that's what she truly wanted? Do you think she's afraid I'd pity her?" Gladwin vented his frustration with short breaths. "What she needed at that time was my presence, even if she said otherwise. What she feared wasn't my pity; she knew that. What she feared was that I would fall into despair with her.""Oh God..." Gladwin roughly clasped his head. "What kind of man am I?" he muttered to himself. "I said I loved her, but I wasn't even there during her tough times."
This time, Gladwin looked up, anger in his eyes. Eijaz's insistence on his intentions unsettled him.Anger, guilt, and the desire to make Flavia happy filled his chest simultaneously. Gladwin realized that everything wouldn't be easy. It wasn't about the people around them. He cared little about what was on their minds, as they wouldn't care about his happiness or sadness. But what was difficult was convincing Flavia herself of his seriousness. Convincing the girl that what Gladwin felt now was love, not pity, as she suspected.Gladwin stared at Eijaz with a gaze full of determination. Yes, he had made up his mind. He would fight. He would no longer be a cowardly man."I will fight for her. I won't ask you to step back. It hurts my pride when you say that. As if Flavia is an object that you can transfer ownership of. If you truly love Flavia, let's compete openly."Eijaz shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not that foolish, Gladwin. I'm a man who relies more on reason than emotion. My m
Days passed, and so far, no one outside Antony's household, including Abigail, Gladwin, and Eijaz, was aware of what had happened to Flavia. They took turns checking on her.Gladwin sat in a chair beside Flavia's bed, his entire body wrapped in sterile clothing. It had been six hours since the girl came out of surgery. According to standard operating procedures (SOP), if Flavia didn't regain consciousness within two days, she would be categorized as being in a coma.Gladwin held Flavia's right hand. The girl's index finger was attached to a Pulse Oximeter, while an IV was set up on her left hand. A tube delivered oxygen to her nose, and electrodes were attached to her chest. Her normally rosy skin now appeared pale, and even her lips were starting to dry. Dark circles were forming under her eyes. Flavia had used up two blood bags after her operation, yet she still hadn't opened her eyes."Love, can you hear me?" Gladwin stroked Flavia's temple and occasionally kissed the back of her h