ire finally came to her senses and realized she was in a hospital room. There was an IV drip in the back of her hand, and Old Mrs. Quigley was sitting by the bed, looking at her with deep concern.


    Felix stood behind his grandmother, his expression somewhat cold. But the first thing ire noticed was the clear p mark on his face. It was unmistakable. Most likely, his grandmother had hit him; no one else would have the guts.


    Felix felt ufortable under her gaze and looked away. ''I''ll go get the doctor.''


    Old Mrs. Quigley ignored him, her attention entirely on ire. She held ire''s hand, her voice choking with emotion. ''Sweetheart, why didn''t you tell me you were being bullied? It''s my fault too. I should have dragged that brat to city hall myself. I thought he would keep his word and let you two part on good terms, so I didn''t interfere. Who knew he''d act like such a jerk again!''


    The more Old Mrs. Quigley spoke, the more upset she became, her eyes turning red. ''No matter what, you shouldn''t neglect your own health. The doctor said you fainted from low blood sugar. He said you hadn''t eaten all day, and you were already too thin to begin with.''


    So she had fainted from low blood sugar. ire had no memory of it at all.


    The doctor came in to check on ire and said she had a slight fever, so she needed to stay overnight for observation.


    No wonder her head was spinning; she had a fever.


    Hearing this, the olddy felt even worse. ''Then I''ll stay here with you.''


    How could ire let an eighty-year-olddy stay in the hospital to look after her? She refused repeatedly, assuring her that it was just a minor cold and nothing serious. She could take care of herself. Besides, they were in a hospital with medical staff around.


    But Old Mrs. Quigley stubbornly refused to leave. Finally, shepromised, saying she would let Felix stay to take care of her.


    That was even more unnecessary. But ire figured she should just coax the olddy into going home first.


    So, the moment Old Mrs. Quigley left, ire''s expression turned ice-cold. She looked straight at Felix. ''You''re not needed here. You can leave.''


    After a few seconds of silence, Felix asked, ''Are you still mad?''


    ire couldn''t be bothered to answer such a pointless question. He could think whatever he wanted.


    ''I can exin what happened today.''


    ''I''m tired,'' ire said, abruptly ending the conversation.


    The temperature in the hospital room plummeted. ire simply turned away wrapped herself lightly. in the nkets, and closed her eyes to sleep.


    She was dizzy, her whole body ached, and she really didn''t want to deal with irrelevant people. Whatever.


    A few minutester, Felix''s voice came


    behind her. ''Then I your rest Call me if Woret


    if you need


    anything. Fal befight outside


    ire didn''t respond. It was hard to tell if she was asleep or just ignoring him.


    Felix turned around, his dark eyes dim and emotionless.


    After the door closed, ire opened her eyes. But after a long while, she closed them again.


    She was exhausted and really needed a good sleep.


    However, her sleep was restless, gued by dreams. She dreamt that her aunt falsely used her of


    stealing jewelry to sell. When shoet''


    denied it, her uncle locked her in a dark room without food or water. She was starving and thirsty, her throat burning. She weakly pleaded,


    ''Water... water... I need water.''


    Just as she felt she was about to die of thirst, someone poured warm water into her


    mouth. She drank greedily, takingrge gulps.


    Her parched throat was saved. She slowly woke up from the nightmare.


    ''Awake?''


    She heard a familiar voice. But it wasn''t Felix''s.