Ethan stepped into the hospital, the smell of antiseptic filling the air. He walked quickly toward Mr. Mike's room and gently knocked before entering.
Inside, Jessica was sitting beside her father, while her mother stood near the window.
Jessica smiled as soon as she saw him.
Jessica: "Hi, Ethan."
Ethan: "Good evening, Ms. Mike."
Ethan:"how are you Ms.Mike."
Jessica's mother gave a tired smile.
Mother: "How can I be good, dear… but I'm managing."
Ethan stepped closer to the bed.
Ethan: "How is Mr. Mike now?"
Mother: "He's better… but we didn't expect him to fall sick again."
Ethan nodded gently.
Ethan: "Don't worry. He'll recover completely."
Jessica's mother stood up.
Mother: "Let me bring something for you—"
Ethan quickly shook his head.
Ethan: "No, please. It's okay. I actually brought some fruits and nuts."
He placed the bag on the table.
Mother: "You really didn't have to do this."
Just then, Mr. Mike slowly opened his eyes.
Mr. Mike: "Oh… Ethan, you're here."
Ethan smiled softly.
Ethan: "Yes, Uncle. How are you feeling?"
Mr. Mike: "Better… thank you for coming."
Ethan: "Please don't say that. Just focus on resting."
After a few more moments, Ethan stepped back.
Ethan: "Okay, Ms. Mike… I should leave now."
Mother: "Alright, dear. Jessica, go with him."
Jessica: "Yes, Mom."
They walked quietly toward the hospital exit.
After a few steps, Ethan suddenly remembered.
Ethan: "Oh… right. I almost forgot why I came."
He took out the wallet and handed it to Jessica.
Ethan: "You left this at my house."
Jessica smiled.
Jessica: "Oh yes! Thank you so much."
Then Ethan taking out the small orange bow clip.
Ethan: "And… I saw this and thought you might like it."
Jessica's eyes lit up.
Jessica: "It's so beautiful! Thank you, Ethan—I love it."
Ethan gave a small smile.
Ethan: "I'm glad."
Jessica: "It's really pretty."
Ethan nodded.
Ethan: "Okay… I'll leave now."
Jessica: "Bye, Ethan."
Ethan turned and walked away, unaware of the thoughts forming behind him.
Back in the room, Jessica's mother noticed the clip in her hand.
Mother: "What's that?"
Jessica: "Ethan gave it to me."
Her mother's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile.
Mother: "That's good. You should spend more time with him."
Jessica looked confused.
Jessica: "What do you mean?"
Mother stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Mother: "I'm thinking about your future. He's from a good background now… and I think he likes you. Stay close to him."
Jessica frowned slightly.
Jessica: "So that's why you told me to leave the wallet there?"
Mother: "Of course. The moment I found out his mother got a good job, I knew it would benefit us."
Jessica stared at her for a moment… then slowly nodded.
Jessica: "You're right."
Meanwhile, Ethan stood at the bus stop, waiting quietly.
The evening air was cool, but his mind was somewhere else.
Katrina.
He suddenly remembered.
Ethan quickly took out his phone and called her.
At that moment, Katrina was in the car, heading toward the airport.
Her phone rang.
She saw his name and picked up.
Katrina (softly): "Hello… Ethan."
Ethan: "Hi, Katrina. How are you? Sorry, I was busy earlier."
Katrina: "It's okay."
Ethan: "What are you doing?"
Katrina: "I'm going to the airport."
Ethan froze for a second.
Ethan: "What? I mean… are you going somewhere?"
Katrina smiled faintly.
Katrina: "No. I'm going to pick up my mom. She's coming back."
Ethan let out a quiet breath of relief.
Ethan: "Oh… I see. That's good."
Katrina: "Yeah… okay, bye."
Ethan: "Bye. Take care."
The call ended.
Ethan looked out toward the road, a small thought crossing his mind.
For a moment… I thought she was leaving.
At the airport, Katrina spotted her mother and rushed toward her.
They hugged warmly.
Mother: "How are you, dear?"
Katrina: "I'm good. And you?"
Mother: "Just tired… and you didn't have to come."
Katrina smiled.
Katrina: "It's been so long. Of course I had to come."
Her mother smiled back.
In the car, her mother spoke again.
Mother: "Your father is coming soon too."
Katrina, busy texting Arice and Ella, replied casually—
Katrina: "Oh… that's good."
Mother: "So… how's your university?"
Katrina: "It's good."
Mother: "And friends?"
Katrina: "A few… mostly Ella and Arice."
Mother nodded.
Mother: "That's nice."
As their car entered the street, Katrina's eyes drifted outside.
She saw Ethan walking home.
For a moment… her gaze stayed on him.
Then she quickly looked away, pretending nothing happened.
She didn't want her mother to notice.
Ethan reached home shortly after.
His mother was waiting in the living room.
Mother: "Welcome home, honey. Where were you?"
Ethan took off his shoes calmly.
Ethan: "At the hospital. I returned Jessica's wallet."
His mother's expression hardened.
Mother: "I'm so done with those people. What do they even want from us? They act like they've helped us so much when it was barely anything. Such greedy people."
Ethan's expression changed instantly.
Ethan: "Mom… stop."
Mother: "What? I'm just telling the truth."
Ethan's voice rose.
Ethan: "Enough! You're crossing the line. How can you be so mean? You're the one acting greedy."
His mother looked shocked.
Mother: "You're shouting at me… because of them?"
Ethan said nothing for a moment.
Ethan: "I'm just tired of this… of you."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked upstairs.
Bang.
The door shut loudly behind him.
And for the first time…
The silence between them felt heavier than ever.