Madam He shivered as she accepted the towel that the man gave her. “Thank— Thank you.” She whispered. She wasn’t sure if the man heard her as the loud gush of wind swept through them. Despite having the umbrella around her, Madam He still felt cold. She knew this had nothing to do with the rain.
“You should just keep the umbrella for yourself.” She said, her croaky voice trembled. “I am already wet from the rain… I— ” She lowered her head as tears spilled from her eyes. How did she become this miserable?
“We are here.” The man’s voice was deep. The absence of emotion in the man’s tone somehow made her feel better. She raised her head to look at him. His stern face welcomed her. “Leave your shoes here. They are wet. The slippers are over there. Follow me inside.” He added and turned his back without waiting for her to answer.
Madam He silently nodded. She took off her shoes and got into the slippers before following the man inside. “Sit.” He said. “Madam is coming.” She nodded before staring at the man’s disappearing back. Another tear escaped her eyes. She could not help but pity herself.
“It is late.” Lily’s crisp voice echoed, making her turn towards the source of the voice. Lily was wearing a black robe, her face was bare and her hair was tight in a messy bun. She must have been sleeping already, she thought. Another flash of guilt glinted in her eyes. Did she make the right decision in coming here?
“Are you drunk?” Lily asked as she handed her another towel. “Dry your hair.” She ordered. There was no sympathy in her voice. Madam He swallowed her saliva before complying. “They are preparing for some hot ginger tea. It is good to avoid colds and cough. It’s also a good cure a hangover.” Lily’s voice echoed.
“Thank you,” Madam He’s meek voice followed. She turned her head away, avoiding Lily’s gaze in the process. At this point, Madam He felt like a needy child. All Lily did was actually help her and yet here she was… miserable and depressed.
She heard Lily sigh. “What happened?” Lily asked.
“I— ” Madam He shook her head in response. She felt telling Lily all this burden was the right thing to do. However, she was afraid. What if… what if she would abandon her too? What if… “There is something wrong with me.” She said, her voice soft. “I can’t get pregnant.”
Tears.
Tears she didn’t know she still had trickled down on her cheeks. Her silent sobs soon echoed inside the living room. “I’m sorry. I don’t know… I don’t know why I’m here.” Aside from being alone, Madam He thought inwardly. “I’m sorry. I don’t know… I don’t have a place to go.”
“Did you get yourself checked by a specialist?”
“Yes. And— the result just came in today. I— I tried calling Gannon but he was not answering his phone so— so I went to his flat and I— ” her shoulder’s trembled before she fell into another puddle of tears. “Lily… he is already with someone.” Memories of him in bed with another woman swarmed inside her.
“Why? I told him I am divorcing my— my husband. I told him I will give him everything. My family is not poor. We are not poor! Do you think I am ugly? Do you think I am not good looking enough for him? Maybe— Maybe he thinks I am too old for him?” she ranted as she accepted the tissue that Lily handed. “Am — Am I not enough?” she asked.
This was the question that she had been asking herself as she walked towards Lily’s house. Was she not enough? “Maybe— Maybe… I need to give him more? Maybe… Maybe I lack something?” She then leaned closer to Lily, she held her hand. “Maybe… you can tell me something? Can you tell me what I need to get him? To have him?”
Seeing Lily just stared back at her, Madam He’s eyes sparkled. “Do you know what is wrong with me?” She asked. “Do you think I am so old? Do I really look old? Maybe he thinks I am not smart enough?” Hope swirled in her orbs. Lily was a smart and independent woman. Surely, she had a way to help her fix this, right?
“Please…” She begged. “Can you tell me what is wrong with me? Did I do something wrong?”
“Xun Yiyi,” Lily started. She leaned back and stared at Madam He’s pitiful state. The woman’s face was pale, her mascara was smeared all over her face, it made her look more pitiful than hideous. “What makes you think that you are the problem?” She asked.
As expected, Madam He turned silent at her words. She stared back at Lily. Seeing this, Lily continued, “What makes you think there is something wrong with you?”
“I— ” Madam He gulped. Lily’s words echoed inside her head like a bell. Since meeting Gannon, she had been constantly asking herself if she was enough. She had always thought that Gannon was too good for her. She thought having him love her was a blessing. Now that he is keeping his distance from her, it was only natural for her to wonder if she did something wrong.
“Did you hurt him?” Lily asked.
“I would never do that.”
“Did you not give him your best.”
“I— I gave him my everything.”
“Then?” Lily lifted an eyebrow. “What makes you think there is something wrong with you?”
“I— If there is nothing wrong with me then… why would he leave?”
In response, Lily shrugged. “Drink your tea and calm yourself.” She gestured to the tea that Chef Yang just served them. “It’s hot. Be careful.”
Madam He silently nodded as she furrowed her brows. She eyed Lily’s peaceful expression. Could it be possible that there is really nothing wrong with her? Could it be possible that Gannon just left her because he wanted to? Because he was heartless? Shaking her head, Madam He took a sip of the ginger tea.
Gannon told her he loved her. He said he adored her. So… why? Why would he leave her? It should be her fault. She must have done something wrong along the way.
…..
Proofreader: Dragon777
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