'Maybe separating is the best resolution for us,' Kisa thought.Gilbert did not reply. Instead, he tightened his embrace, pulling her closer, showing her that he did not want to part ways, not even at the cost of his life.Kisa lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by melancholy, and remained silent.The next morning, she awoke to the sound of lighthearted laughter and the bustling activity in the kitchen. She gazed blankly at the ceiling, her heart stirring faintly.'How long has it been? How long since I last heard such carefree laughter? How long since I last experienced this simple, comforting sense of home?'Slowly sitting up, she pushed herself off the bed. Since losing the baby, her weight had dropped dramatically, her 5'5" frame scarcely weighing over 100 pounds. Her face was pale, and her emaciated body exuded a fragile frailty. As she stared into the mirror, there was a knock at the door. A small head peeked in.It was Ada."Mommy, can I come in?"Kisa smiled at her. "Of cour
That fateful day, if he had not pushed her away for Sara's sake, the child growing inside her might have been born safely. The memory of the unborn child caused a mist to form in the corners of his eyes. The truth was, he had driven her away not because of Sara, but because he could not bear to face her. After discovering the horrific truth about his parents' untimely death, he was haunted by vivid images of the accident. He knew he should not blame her, and he did not. But as she had once said, it was like a persistent thorn lodged in his heart, impossible to remove.He felt the need to step back, to give himself time to extract that painful thorn. Yet, he could not bring himself to let her go. He knew deep down that he could not live without her. So, he fought desperately to hold onto her, gripping her tightly. Even if it meant both of them would end up in anguish, he could not bear to let go of her.He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought for a long while before finally start
The most profound sorrow comes from realizing you have reached an age where regrets can no longer be mended.Kisa stared at the bent silhouette of the flower farmer and, suddenly, it was as if a revelation dawned upon her.Turning to the man beside her, she whispered, "Let's... give it a try."Gilbert shuddered, his eyes brimming with excitement. "What did you say?""Let's... try to be together again."In an instant, Gilbert pulled her into a fierce embrace. "As long as you're willing to start over with me, I believe that everything will get better."Kisa did not dwell on the future. As she gazed at the clouds on the horizon, she was struck by the vibrant, endless blue. It felt as if her world had suddenly burst into brilliant light.On their way back, Gilbert asked Davian to pick up the children and bring them to the Kooper residence. Meanwhile, he and Kisa discussed their upcoming vacation. He wanted to take her away, just the two of them, to clear their minds and find solace.
As Kisa started to walk away, she was suddenly pulled back into place.Gilbert firmly held her hand once again, addressing Sara. "You were injured while saving me, so in a way, I owe you my life. Tell me what you want. If it's within my means, I'll give it to you."Sara's voice caught in her throat, her expression growing even more heart-wrenching. Tears streamed down her face as she asked him, "Do you really believe I saved you just to receive something in return? After all these years, haven't you figured out how I feel about you?""Initially, you helped me. Later, to save you from trouble, I became your boyfriend in name only. You know very well that we never shared a deeper connection," he recounted.Back in school, he had accidentally misplaced the birthday gift Kisa had given him. Sara found it, and to show his gratitude, he promised to do her a favor. Not long after, she asked him to become her boyfriend in name only, claiming she was overwhelmed by her numerous admirers, wh
Kisa rushed into the elevator, her weakened body nearly causing her to stumble.Kelvin swiftly followed, catching her just in time."When was the last time you ate? You can hardly stand!"Kisa leaned against the elevator wall for support, her silence unwavering. Observing her icy demeanor, Kelvin chuckled nervously and refrained from making any further jokes. He trailed her into the apartment, his eyes glued to her fragile figure, suddenly unsure of what to say. He had come to escape the tension downstairs and to warn this woman against hurting Gilbert's heart anymore. But confronted by her cold and distant attitude, he could not muster any harsh words.Especially when his gaze fell on her flat stomach, he was overwhelmed with pity for her.'The baby was so close to being born – it's heartbreaking,' he thought.Upon entering, Kisa immediately sought refuge in her room, but Kelvin stubbornly blocked the door, preventing her from closing it."Kisa, what's with the sudden silence?"
"Kelvin! Kelvin!"A wave of panic laced Gilbert's voice as it echoed through the room. With urgency, Kelvin sprang to his feet and rushed outside. "What happened? Why did she faint again?""I don't know. You need to examine her."Outside, the frantic voices of the two men filled the air. Kisa, hugging her knees, sat in a daze for a moment before slowly rising and making her way out.Sara had collapsed, her slender frame sprawled on the couch. Her injuries peppered her lower back, arms, and shoulders. The numerous wounds covered a vast area. Months had passed since the explosion, yet her injuries stubbornly refused to heal. The festering wounds created a grotesque sight from afar.Seeing her wounds in this state for the first time, surprise flickered across Gilbert's face, followed by a deep scowl. "Weren't you treating her? Why—""I'm at a loss myself. These are superficial injuries, nothing I can't handle. I've regularly provided her with ointments and reminded her to avoid wate
Gilbert raised his hand to knock, then hesitated and lowered it, caught in a loop of uncertainty. After the third time, he steeled himself and knocked softly. Silence answered him. His eyes brimmed with a somber darkness, heavy with sorrow."I know you're not asleep yet; you just can't bear to face me."At this late hour, Kisa lay wide awake. Insomnia had become her frequent companion, and he was all too aware of it. As the darkness in his eyes deepened, any lingering light vanished. A quiet, bitter laugh escaped his lips, and he began to turn away. Just then, the door cracked open ever so slightly.Kisa concealed herself in the shadows, her heart aching with grief, confusion, and helplessness. Yet, redemption seemed out of reach. The night was eerily silent, their breaths the only sound echoing in the darkness.Gilbert wrapped her in a tender, protective embrace. They lay entwined, bodies pressed close, yet it felt like an abyss separated them. She seemed to be walling herself off
A bustling silhouette reflected on the kitchen's glass door. Intrigued, Gilbert walked over and slid it open.Sara instantly greeted him with a radiant, tender smile. "You're awake! I made breakfast, so go freshen up and we can eat." Her hands moved with practiced grace as she prepared the meal.Gilbert could not take his eyes off her, and for a fleeting moment, she morphed into Kisa in his mind. Now, even the simplest scene seemed beyond his reach.Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands encircled his arm. Sara gazed at him with worry. "Gilbert, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"With stoic composure, Gilbert gently pulled his arm away."It was Kisa who asked you to stay," he said quietly.Sara's lips tightened, her head lowered, appearing both vulnerable and blameless."I know. None of you ever welcomed me. From the start, I've always been an unwanted presence.""What is it that you want?" Gilbert inquired, a hint of detachment in his voice. "Aside from love, I can give you an