Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Family’s Farce
Susie’s words were so outrageous, I nearly jumped out of bed.
On the other end of the line, Linda’s voice immediately spiked in pitch: “What did you say? Who are you?!”
But Susie had already hung up—and shut off the phone.
When she saw me glaring at her, she gave a sheepish smile. “I didn’t mean to say you were dead. I just thought your wife was really something.
“Her husband gets in a car accident and ends up in the hospital. No one can get in touch with her, and when she finally calls, she doesn’t even ask if you’re okay.
“Sir, no offense… but you’ve got terrible taste in women.”
|||
三
о
Δ
1/6
3:53 MN A
3.41
4G
4G
KB/S
Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Fam…
(45)
+5 Free Coins
I gave a dry laugh and muttered, “It’s not just my wife. My parents. My so–called friends. I picked wrong all around.”
Even the kid I had… turned out wrong.
Suddenly, my stomach growled. I scratched my head, embarrassed. “Uh… mind helping me order lunch?”
I hadn’t eaten since the night before, and I was starving.
Susie pulled out her phone without hesitation. “What do you feel like eating?”
“I’m not that hungry. Just get me some porridge.”
She frowned. “The doctor said you’re malnourished. You think porridge’s enough?
“Never mind. I’ll order. You’re eating what I say.”
三
2/6
3:53 MA
3.41 KB/S
40
4G
45
Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Fam…
+5 Free Coins
I blinked. It hit me then–this stranger, this girl I barely knew, was the only person who had shown me genuine
care.
“Thanks,” I said quietly. “But really, if you’re busy, you can go. I’m fine by myself.”
Susie shook her head. “No way. You’re in the hospital because of me. I have to take responsibility.”
Before I could argue, her phone rang. She stepped out to take the call, and I dropped it.
By nightfall, we’d shared dinner. Afterward, Susie poured me a glass of water while I took out my meds.
Just as I was about to take them, she snatched the pills from my hand.
She frowned, examining them with a serious look. “These are…
=
3/6
3:53 MN A
3.41 KB/S
4G
4G
Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Fam…
antidepressants?”
(45)
+5 Free Coins
I was surprised she recognized them.
And then I felt a sharp wave of shame— like a long–buried secret had been dragged into the light.
Trying to sound casual, I said, “You know your meds, huh.”
But Susie wasn’t smiling anymore. Her tone was probing. “You… have depression?”
I nodded and quietly swallowed the pill.
Yeah. I’d been depressed for years–and it was only getting worse.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
I looked up to see Linda rushing in, her face twisted with panic.
She gripped my shoulders, scanning me
4/6
|||
3:53 MN A
0.00 KB/S
4G
4G
ill (45)
Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Fam…
+5 Free Coins
from head to toe. Only when she was sure I was unharmed did she finally exhale.
“Oh my god, honey, you scared me to death.”
I stared at her calmly.
If this had happened before, I might have been moved by how worried she looked. But now, I saw it for what it was -empty, performative.
Then Henry walked in.
His gaze flicked to Susie, and I could practically see the gears turning in his head.
Feigning concern, he said, “Chase, even if you’re angry at us, you shouldn’t have someone lie and say you’re dead. Linda searched the entire funeral home. She was out of her mind with worry.
5/€
3:53 MN A
0.00 KB/S
4G
4G
Chapter 5 Stranger’s Kindness, Fam…
45
+5 Free Coins
“Thank god you’re okay–but your friend here really crossed the line. That kind of joke isn’t funny.”
His words made Linda’s face darken.
She turned to Susie, eyes full of hostility. “Who are you? Why would you lie to me about my husband dying?”
Susie slowly looked the two of them up and down, her gaze laced with icy mockery. She didn’t say a word, but her expression said plenty:
If you even cared a little, how could you not know your own husband was in the hospital after a car accident?
Linda looked away guiltily and grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t know you were in an accident.”
I pulled my hand away without hesitation. “It’s fine. A little thing like this doesn’t need to concern an ex–wife.”
=
