Chapter 4

Lily was hospitalized.

The surgery was very successful, followed by chemotherapy.

Mason pushed aside all his work to stay at the hospital with her every day.

I ran back and forth between school and the hospital while also preparing materials to study abroad, so busy my feet barely touched the ground.

That day when I came home from the hospital, Mason called out to me.

"Mabel."

I stopped and turned to look at him.

He handed me a key:

"I bought an apartment near your school, two bedrooms and a living room, already furnished. You should... move there soon."

I froze for a moment, then took it and nodded: "Okay."

No questioning, no hesitation.

Mason looked at me, seeming to want to read something from my face.

But I simply calmly pocketed the key, turned, and went upstairs.

The next day, I started packing.

Most of my things I planned to donate or throw away.

In the new apartment, I would buy all new things and start a completely new life.

I came home later and later, barely appearing at the dinner table.

The things in my room decreased day by day.

The bookshelf emptied, the closet emptied, only a lonely jewelry box remained on the dresser.

That evening, I didn't get home until after ten.

Mason sat on the living room sofa without turning on the lights.

In the darkness, the cigarette tip flickered on and off.

"So late." He spoke, his voice cold. "Where were you?"

My movement of changing shoes paused: "I had things at school."

After changing shoes, I headed straight for my room.

Behind me came the sound of a cup knocking against the table.

Lily's chemotherapy went smoothly.

Three months later, the doctor said she was recovering well and could go home to recuperate with regular checkups.

On the day of discharge, I went too.

Lily had lost quite a bit of weight, but she was in good spirits.

Mason went to handle the discharge paperwork while Lily and I waited in the ward.

"Mabel." Lily suddenly said, "Did you and Mason... have a fight?"

I froze.

Lily sighed: "He's been in a terrible mood lately."

"Everyone at the company avoids him when they see him coming."

I didn't speak.

Lily gripped my hand: "I know about him making you move out."

"I scolded him for it. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, that place will always be your home."

I held her hand back and said very seriously:

"Lily. I've grown up, I should have my own life. Besides, I'm already processing paperwork to study abroad. I'll probably leave next year."

Lily's eyes widened: "Study abroad? Where? For how long?"

"England, for graduate school. Probably two or three years."

Lily's eyes reddened again:

"Then... you have to take good care of yourself when you're there alone. If anything happens, you must tell us, okay?"

"Mm."

Lily wiped her eyes, then suddenly smiled:

"Mabel, let me introduce you to a friend. He's my schoolmate, works in architectural design, a really great person."

I shook my head: "No need."

"Why not? You'll be so lonely by yourself."

I hesitated, then told the truth: "Actually... I'm already seeing someone."

"What?" Lily's eyes widened.

"I met him while processing study abroad paperwork. We're planning to apply to the same school together."

Lily's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands:

"That's wonderful! I have to tell Mason! We need to check him out first, can't let you be deceived!"

"No need..." I tried to stop her, but she had already picked up her phone.

"Oh, he's back." Lily put down her phone and looked toward the door.

Mason pushed the door open, holding the discharge documents.

Seeing our hands clasped together, his eyes darkened.

"What are you two so happy about?" He walked over and naturally put his arm around Lily's shoulder.

Lily looked up at him, her eyes bright:

"I just said I wanted to introduce Mabel to someone, guess what?"

He glanced at me, his tone certain: "She definitely refused."

"That's right, she didn't agree."

He gave a light "mm":

"She's been attached to me since childhood, didn't even want to live in dorms for college. Do you think she'd be willing to date?"

Lily continued with a smile:

"But she said she has a boy she likes, and she's going abroad with him!"