Chapter 4
894 Words
And so, Charles was admitted to the hospital.
The operation was a complete success, and chemotherapy would come next.
Isabelle refused all her work commitments and stayed at the hospital to care for him every day.
I was running back and forth between campus and the hospital, on top of preparing my study abroad application materials. I ran off my feet.
That day when I got home from the hospital, Isabelle stopped me. "Charles."
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at her.
She held out a key to me. "I bought an apartment near your university. It's a two-bedroom apartment, fully renovated. You... You should move in as soon as you can."
I was stunned for a moment, then took the key and nodded. "Okay."
I did not question her, and I did not hesitate.
Isabelle looked at me as if she was looking for some tell on my face, but I calmly put the key away, turned, and walked upstairs.
The next day, I started packing my things.
I planned to donate or throw away most of my things.
In the new apartment, I would buy everything new and start a brand-new life.
I started coming home later and later, and I was barely ever at the dinner table anymore.
The things in my room grew fewer day by day. The bookshelf was cleared out, the wardrobe emptied, leaving nothing but a single jewelry box sitting on the desk.
That night, I didn't get home until after ten.
Isabelle was sitting on the living room sofa, with the lights off.
In the darkness, the ember of her cigarette flickered on and off.
"Out so late?" She spoke, her voice ice-cold. "What were you doing?"
I paused while changing my shoes. "Something came up at school." After changing my shoes, I walked straight toward my room.
Behind me came the sound of a cup clinking against the coffee table...
Charles's chemotherapy went very smoothly. And three months later, the doctor said he had recovered very well, and he could go home to recuperate. But still, he had to return for regular check-ups.
I was there the day he got discharged from the hospital.
Charles had lost quite a bit of weight, but he was in good spirits.
Isabelle went to handle the discharge procedures, and Charles and I waited in the ward.
"Jimmy," Charles suddenly called out to me, "have you and Isabelle had a fight or something?"
Hearing that sudden question, I froze.
Charles sighed. "Her temper has been really terrible lately. Everyone at the company complained to me, saying they all hide when they see her."
I didn't say a thing.
Charles took my hand. "I know she asked you to move out, and I've given her a piece of my mind about it. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, that place will always be your home."
I squeezed his hand with a very serious expression. "Charles said. I've grown up, and it's about time for me to live my own life. What's more, I'm already sorting out my paperwork to go abroad, and I'll probably leave next year."
Charles was shocked. "What? Go abroad? Where? For how long?"
"To the UK, for a master's degree. Probably two or three years," I replied.
Charles's eyes welled up again. "Well... Take good care of yourself when you're out there, alone. If anything happens, you must tell us, okay?"
I nodded.
Charles wiped his eyes and suddenly smiled. "Charles, let me introduce someone to you. She's my junior from my department. She does architectural design, and she's a nice person."
I shook my head. "No need, Charles."
"Why not? You'll be all alone out there," Charles asked me.
I hesitated for a moment, then told the truth. "Actually, there's already someone I've been getting to know."
"What?" Charles's eyes went wide, as if surprised.
"We met when I was processing my study abroad application paperwork. We plan to apply to the same university together."
Charles's eyes lit up, and he cheerfully clapped his hands. "That's wonderful! I have to tell your sister! We need to check this person out first—we can't let you get conned!"
"No, Charles..." I tried to stop him, but he had already picked up his phone.
"Oh, she's back." Charles put his phone down and looked toward the door.
Isabelle pushed the door open, holding the discharge paperwork in her hand.
When she saw us two being so chummy together, her expression darkened a little.
"What are you two chatting about that's got you so happy?" She walked over and naturally slipped her arm through Charles's.
Charles tilted his head up to look at her, his eyes glimmering with excitement. "I was trying to set Jimmy up with someone. Guess what happened?"
She glanced at me and said with certainty, "He turned you down, didn't he?"
"That's right! He turned me down, Isabelle!"
She gave a faint "Mm."
"He's clung to me since he was little. He didn't even want to live in the dorm when he started college. Do you really think he'd be willing to start dating?" Isabelle said, as if she predicted that this would happen.
Then, Charles jumped in with a grin. "Guess what? He said he already has someone he's seeing romantically, and he's even going abroad with her!"
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