Michael, being the keen observer that he was, noticed the change in my expression.
“Why the sad face? What happened at the hospital?”
He caressed my back gently as he spoke. Although his tone was placid, I could feel a hint of genuine care for me.
“I got chased out by them.”
I spoke as a wry smile etched itself on my face. Hah! What a joke to be rejected by my own family!
Upon hearing my answer, he paused for a few seconds before resuming to caress my back.
“Why?” He looked at me with a face devoid of emotion.
“They think that I’m the one who caused Steven to become like this. Every one of them is blaming me…”
I wasn’t sure why I told Michael everything that happened back at the hospital. After all, he had nothing to do with it, and there was nothing he could do to fix it.
Michael did not say a word after that, but I could see his expression darkening.
“Since you got chased out, there is no need for you to go back anymore. Just stay with me from now on.”
He held me tightly in his embrace and said in a low voice.
Even though his tone sounded extremely possessive, I felt touched by his words.
I hugged him tightly as tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. I intended to suppress my sadness, but I soon realized I could no longer take it on my own. What I needed at that moment was someone to confide in out and someone to rely on.
“Why do they treat me like this? What wrong have I done? Why must they blame it all on me?”
My tears could not stop as I spoke. I was simply too exhausted from all the burdens and grievances I had been carrying.
Michael furrowed his brows without a word, but I could feel his arms wrapping around me more tightly.
I wept inside his embrace for a long time, until I finally fall asleep.
Even though our relationship was not that close for me to confide in him, I was still grateful and touched that he did not push me away when I was crying my heart out or when I had soiled his shirt with my tears.
After I dozed off, Michael carried me to the bed, and he slept beside me.
The following day when I woke up, my eyes were so swollen, it looked like I was stung by a bee. I turned my body and noticed that Michael was still sleeping by my side.
Seeing that, I recalled that I had cried in his embrace for a long time the previous night. I guess he must be exhausted.
I snaked an arm around him and hugged him. With him by my side, I could feel a rare sense of security. Even though I had already known that there was no future for our relationship, I could not help but keep falling deeper into it.
Apparently, Michael was not in a deep sleep, as he opened his eyes not long after.
After waking up, he hugged me again and asked with a slightly hoarse voice, “Have you finished crying?”
Hearing that, my face flushed red with embarrassment as I recalled how pitiful I must have looked when I was crying the previous night.
“Sorry I got your shirt dirty last night.”
I knew Michael was a clean freak, so I was certain it must have been difficult for him to tolerate me crying all over his shirt.
“So you still remember.”
Michael frowned slightly, scrutinizing me. Displeasure flickered in his gaze.
“I’ll wash it for you later. Anyway, can I take leave for today? I plan to go to the hospital again later.”
I had taken leave for two days already, but I was still not in the mood to work. Even though I knew my family did not want to meet me, I could not let go of my concern for Steven.
“Haven’t you had enough of your family taking it out on you?”
Michael stared at me, his expression was that of puzzlement.
“I’m still worried about Steven…”
It was true that every word that my mother said hurt me deeply, but that pain was incomparable to the physical pain Steven must have been enduring.
“I forbid you to go! You’ll only be humiliating yourself even more.”
Michael sat upright and commanded me tersely.
Baffled by his sudden outburst, I wondered if I had accidentally offended him with my words or actions.
“But…”
“You don’t need to worry about your brother. I’ll arrange the best doctor and the best medical care for him. You’re free to go anywhere, just not the hospital!”
He did not give me the chance to finish my sentence.
I was a little pissed off as he always dominated my life, yet there was no way I could disobey his decision.
Nonetheless, he would be heading to work shortly. By then, he would not know even if I went to the hospital secretly. All he could do was merely giving me a warning.
Michael seemed to have guessed my mind. He locked his eyes upon me for a moment and said flatly, “I have my men in the hospital. If you try to go there behind my back, I’ll definitely know.”
Upon hearing that, frustration filled me. It was somehow terrifying how he seemed to know what was in my mind every single time.
“I got it. I won’t go to the hospital.”
I lowered my head and answered, sounding utterly despondent.
Even though I was worried about Steven, I knew that nothing would change even if I went there. I reckoned the outcome would be no different from yesterday if I were to go… Michael is only doing this for my own good.
Satisfied with my response, Michael got up and started getting changed.
I sat on the spot, looking utterly dispirited. It was difficult for me to accept that my parents had forsaken me as I used to rely heavily on them emotionally. The treatment I got from them ever since I was a kid had always been one of indifference. As such, I had been working hard to prove myself ever since. But the more I tried, I realized that something was meant to be and would not change with effort.
I had come to a point where I had no idea what would make them happy.
Just when my thoughts were running wildly, a bank card appeared in my line of sight. Coming back to my senses, I saw Michael looming over me with his gaze riveted on me.
“What’s this?”
