When Antonio woke up, night had fallen, and the room was as dark as cave without a single light on. After Antonio woke from his dream, a flood of memories overwhelmed him. leaving him utterly drained. He covered his face and called out without thinking, "Grace, turn on the lights and make some coffee." The silence around him was deafening. No one answered.


    It hit him then that Grace was gone too.


    Everyone was gone, leaving him all by himself.


    A wave of loneliness washed over Antonio, heavy and all-epassing.


    He got up, feeling


    his way through the dark to the wine cer. Then he had some boxes of booze brought out.


    His years of drinking had toughened him up, but his stomach was paying the price. Just a few bottles in, and it felt like his gut was on fire.


    He curled up on the floor, his forehead dotted with cold sweat, and a pained moan escaped his lips.


    The servant, seeing he was in agony, rushed to help him to the sofa and started searching for medicine.


    Yet, Grace was the only one who knew where the meds were, and with them locked away, the servant, unable to find them, grabbed the phone to call 911.


    Chapt


    "Hi. Evergreen Hospital? This is..."


    Antonio, despite his pain, forced himself up, snatched the phone, and hung up.


    "A little pain like this and you want me to go to the hospital? Are you trying to get my father involved?"


    The servant, meeting Antonio''s intense stare, was so scared that she could hardly speak, shaking her head in fear.


    "It''s not that. It''s just Grace always kept the medicine, and I couldn''t find it. I was worried about you. That was why I thought of calling 911."


    Hearing Grace''s name while he was in such pain was like a knife twisting in Antonio''s gut.


    Sweat as big as beans rolled down his pale face.


    Seeing him in such a state, the servant was at a loss and decided to call Grace.


    This time, Antonio didn''t try to stop her.


    After about ten rings, Grace''s calm voice came through the phone.


    "Daisy, what''s going on thiste?"


    "Grace, Mr. Kaufman''s stomach is killing him. Do you know where the medicine is?"


    "The stomach pills? I sent them all to Ms. Fischerst time. There''s


    left at home. You


    take him to the hospital néto


    Daisy was on the verge of tears hearing this.


    "Mr. Kaufman won''t go to the hospital."


    1201%


    Even in his agony. Antonio was all cars for her response.


    At this, he reached out with a shaky hand, signaling for the phone.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Daisy handed it over.


    As soon as Antonio got the phone to his car he heard Grace''s cold tone. "Let


    ham suffer if it''s


    serious. I''ll


    hang up if there''s nothing else.


    A sharp pang hit Antonio right in the heart.


    His hand shook. and the phone slipped, hitting the floor and breaking into pieces


    Daisy picked it up. Looking at his pale face, she asked softly, “Mr. Kaufman, what did Grace say?"


    "Get out! Get out of my sight!"


    Hearing his furious


    roar, Daisy didn''t dare to say another word and quickly left, head down.


    As soon as the door shut, Antonio grabbed the bottle of alcohol and no


    d drinking like there wet


    tomorrow.


    Bottle after bottle, case after case.


    Eventually, he was clutching the table, vomiting uncontrobly.


    The nausea was overwhelming, and tears streamed down his face.


    After vomiting, he felt like his stomach was being ripped out, and he was so dizzy he was about to faint.


    Before he lost consciousness, he looked at the harsh overhead light.


    He murmured, his voice breaking, "How could you let me suffer like this?


    "You never left me in the lurch."