It was my mother.


    I quickly walked up to her. "Mom, why are you out here? Shouldn''t you be resting


    a little longer?"


    She forced a weak smile. "It was getting stuffy in the room. I just wanted some fresh air."


    I noticed that she looked even paler than before, and her lips were devoid of any color.


    The echoes of Grandma''s curses from my dream still rang in my ears, tightening around my heart like an invisible grip, making it hard to breathe.


    "I''ll walk with you." I gently held her arm.


    I turned my head and saw Alex watching us with a soft and steady gaze. The golden light of the setting sun cast a glow over him, outlining his tall figure, as if wrapping him in a delicate radiance.


    For some reason, he felt far away like he belonged to another world entirely.


    "It''s gettingte. You should head home," I said, trying to sound as natural as possible, not wanting him to notice anything unusual in my tone.


    He paused slightly as if he hadn''t expected me to say that. His eyes shifted between Mom and me before settling on me again. After a brief moment, he gave a small nod. "Alright. I''ll get going, then. Take care, Madam Burke."


    Mom gave him a tired but kind smile. "Thank you for bringing us here. Drive safe."


    He turned and walked away, his figure growing smaller against the backdrop of the setting sun. I watched until he disappeared beyond the hospital entrance before finally looking away.


    A crisp autumn breeze rustled through the trees, carrying a slight chill in the air. Without thinking, I slipped off my jacket and draped it over Mom''s shoulders.


    "You don''t have to. I''m not cold," she said, trying to take it off.


    I gently held her hand in ce. "Just keep it on. I don''t want you catching a cold."


    She looked at me with a touch of sadness in her eyes. "Serena, you''ve grown up."


    A lump formed in my throat, and I e fought to keep my tears from falling. For as long as I could remember, I had always been the one making her worry, the one causing her pain.


    We walked in silence, neither of speaking. The atmosphere felt heavy wanted to find something to talk about, but the words just wouldn''te.


    "Mom, how are you feeling today? What did the doctor say?" I finally asked cautiously.


    She let out a soft sigh. "Same as before. The doctor said we should prepare for long-term treatment."


    I squeezed her hand, my heart sinking like a stone. "Mom, don''t worry. I''ll be with you every step of the way."


    She smiled faintly and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Silly girl. You have your own life to live. I don''t want to be a burden on you."


    "Don''t say that. You''re my mom," ! said with a forced smile, trying to lighten the mood. "By the way, did the doctor say anything specific about what you should or shouldn''t eat?"


    She shook her head. "Nothing much. He only said that keeping a positive mindset


    is the most important thing."


    A positive mindset? That was easier said than done.


    "Serena, is something on your mind?" Mom suddenly stopped walking and looked


    at me with concern.


    I froze, instinctively wanting to deny it. But the words caught in my throat. If


    anyone had the right to know the truth, it was Mom.


    I finally said after taking a deep breath, "Mom, everything that''s been happening


    online is all Grandma and Aunt Shirley''s doing."