9
In just a few days, my parents appeared to age rapidly.
Thankfully, Xavier was there to keep them company; without him, I didn’t know what I would do.
“Mom and Dad, I’m an unfilial daughter. I can’t be there to fulfill my duties. In the next life, I’ll work like a slave to repay you,” I said, kneeling before them and bowing my head three times.
“I think I saw Yuri!” my mom said excitedly. “She’s kneeling right in front of us!”
“How could that be? You must be hallucinating!” my dad said sadly, patting her shoulder.
“Mom!” I called out, my voice trembling.
“Yuri!” she exclaimed, standing up and walking straight toward me.
“Mom!” I cried out, longing for her embrace.
“My Yuri!” My mother reached out as if to hug me, but her arms passed through me.
“My poor daughter!” she sobbed, falling to the ground in despair. Xavier and my father rushed to support her.
“Mom, don’t be sad. You and Dad will be okay. Please don’t grieve too much.” My facial muscles felt stiff, and I could only shed tears numbly.
“Mom, tell Xavier that I don’t blame him. How could I blame him? I just hope he takes good care of you for me.” As soon as I finished speaking, I felt a strong force pulling me back toward Joanne.
Xavier watched helplessly as I disappeared from view.
I returned to find Joanne and Chloe in the midst of another heated argument.
“Joanne, you told me you never liked Yuri, but is that really true? Do you really not have feelings for her? Then why did you call her name when you were lying next to me? Why did you get so angry when I threw away the rabbit? I can convince myself that you’re just not used to her being gone, but Joanne, I don’t see any signs that you like me at all! You said I changed, but the truth is, you’ve changed. You’ve fallen in love with Yuri!” Chloe scolded, tears streaming down her face.
“I admit I was the one who begged Yuri to let me go. I really wanted to go abroad, but with your family background, you could have come with me, yet you didn’t! You didn’t choose to be with me!” Chloe suddenly looked exhausted. “I thought that after Yuri died, you’d be able to move on easily. But I overlooked one thing: if you were already in love with her, then I would lose no matter how I tried to compete.”
“I don’t love her!” Joanne protested weakly.
