Chapter 7
Lilian started coughing like she had choked on something.
Harold put down the bowl and patted her back.
Her face got all red from coughing, and it took her a while to stop.
She said in a really weak voice, “Okay. I still don’t feel great, but I remember I’m supposed to celebrate Clarissa’s birthday today.
“Don’t worry about me. I can put up with the discomfort.”
I couldn’t see Harold’s face, but I heard him say softly, “Forget it. No rush. Let’s see how you’re doing this afternoon.”
After Harold fed Lilian and put her to sleep, he got up and left the hospital.
I didn’t know what he was doing, but I followed him into the car.
We were heading home.
But halfway there, Harold pulled over at a boutique.
He hesitated for a moment, then opened the car door and went inside.
“Welcome!” the shop girl said with a smile. “Need help with anything?”
Harold looked a bit uneasy. “I need a birthday gift for my sister.”
I was stunned.
Was it for Lilian?
Chapter 7
But she had shown off a bunch of gifts on Instagram yesterday morning.
There was no way he was buying for me.
But then I realized that was exactly what he was doing.
I was too surprised to even react.
The shop girl asked sweetly, “Do you have any idea what your sister likes? I can give you some good suggestions.”
Harold looked a bit awkward.
He didn’t know what I liked.
He knew Lilian loved pink, strawberry cake, beautiful dresses, LinaBell, and all that stuff.
But he had no idea what I liked.
And he had never paid attention.
After a long pause, he said, sounding a bit uncomfortable, “Uh… I’m not sure. Just pick something that girls usually like.
“Oh, she’s eighteen.”
The shop girl nodded and showed Harold a music box.
There was a girl on it, holding up her skirt and dancing to the music.
If I were still alive, I’d totally love it.
But I was
one.
Harold walked out of the boutique with the wrapped music box and turned into the cake shop next door.
14450
Chapter 7
Same story.
He still didn’t know what kind of cake I liked.
But this time, he didn’t overthink it and just picked the cake covered in strawberries.
He probably thought, “Lilian likes strawberries, so I guess Clarissa likes them too.”
But I was not Lilian.
I didn’t like strawberries at all.
I, Clarissa, loved oranges.
Harold was driving, about to head home with the gift and cake, when Lilian’s call came in.
“Harold, where are you?
“I just threw up, and I feel terrible…”
After a quick pause, Harold turned the car around.
“Don’t worry, I’m on my way back.”
He sped off toward the hospital.
I sat quietly in the back seat.
As we waited at a red light, Harold called my number.
No surprise, no one answered.
My phone was still on the table at home, and it was probably about to die.
Chapter 8
