The longer Kelly spent around Leon, the more afraid she was to tell him the truth about her family. Compared to him, she already felt like she had nothing going for her. On top of that, she came from a dysfunctional family.

“Take care of yourself, alright? Don’t overdo it. You’re pregnant now,”

Kelly smiled slightly. “I will.”

“Melissa reminded her over the phone.

As soon as she hung up, Kelly was about to go back inside when her phone buzzed with a message from Leon. The LED wrote, “What did you have for dinner?”

It was such a simple question, but it warmed her heart. At least someone still cared whether she’d eaten or not.

Kelly: “I haven’t eaten yet.”

Leon: “It’s late. Why haven’t you eaten?”

Kelly lied, “Something came up at class.”

Leon: “Make sure to eat on time.”

She could almost hear his voice saying the words, and replied, “Got it.”

Then, she paused and added, “When are you coming back?”

Leon: “The seventh.”

Kelly: “Okay.”

Leon: “Do you want—”

Kelly: “Aren’t you on a business trip? How do you have time to go shopping?”

Leon: “SoEurope happened to bring me along.”

Kelly joked, “What? Did you join one of those tour groups that brings you shopping?” Leon responded solemnly, “No.”

Kelly smirked, but then loud crashing sounds came from inside the room, followed by Jackson screaming, “I said I’m not eating! How many times do I have to tell—”

Kelly quickly texted Leon,

Leon: “I don’t red anything. I’m about to eat now.”

Kelly tucked her phone away, opened the sliding door, and walked back into the hospital room. Food was splattered all over the floor. Helena stood there, wiping the tears streaming down her face. Jackson had turned his head away, clearly pissed off. The patients in the two other beds and their families were all staring, looking annoyed.

“So sorry,” Kelly apologized quietly, then headed to the supply closet. She grabbed a broom, swept up the food, and picked up the things that had been tossed across the floor.

Back in the room, Helena was still trying to coax Jackson. “Jackson, you have to eat. You’ve got surgery coming up in a few days. You’ll starve yourself.”

“My leg’s ruined already! What’s the point of eating?” Jackson snapped.

“Your body won’t make it if you don’t want it. I’d rather just die!” He started to get up from the bed.

“Don’t say that. The doctor said you’ll recover after a few weeks of rest after the surgery.”

“What’s the point even if it as I won’t—”

Helena immediately used her hand to hold him down. “Jackson, you can’t get up right now. The doctor said you can’t move your leg. Please, listen to me. Don’t make things worse!”

Seeing that Kelly was standing frozen by the bed silently, Helena snapped, “Don’t just stand there! Help me hold your brother down! If he keeps moving, his leg will be ruined!”

Kelly suddenly had a flash of newfound courage. She retorted, “Then let it be. If he doesn’t care about his own leg, why should we?”