Chapter 170: Mere Apologies
"It’s just... she’s giving you time," Liam said, his voice quieter as he pushed Theo out of the elevator. "Time to calm down, and time for herself to... to digest the fact that you don’t remember her."
Theo glanced back at him, brows furrowed.
"What? I’m just telling the truth. Wouldn’t you panic, wouldn’t you be sad, if the person you loved didn’t even remember you?" Liam sighed, shoulders slumping. "And I’m sure if she heard about your Elly... she would be heartbroken."
"Woah... says the guy who’s never even been in love." Theo smirked, amused.
"You know what? I’m way ahead of you," Liam shot back, rolling his eyes. "You’re still stuck with fifteen-year-old Liam... the one who thought love was some pure, innocent thing. Tch. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about how naive I was back then."
Theo chuckled, "Why... Did someone break your heart so badly that you change your way of thinking?" His eyes were looking straight when he caught a glimpse of someone, "Elly..." he muttered under his breath.
Theo chuckled. "Why... did someone break your heart so badly that you changed the way you think?" His gaze stayed straight ahead, but suddenly his eyes sharpened, catching a flicker of movement. "Elly..." he whispered under his breath.
"Where—where?" Liam jerked his head forward, scanning the hall. But the corridor was empty; this whole level was reserved for VIP patients. "What are you on about? Is she some kind of big shot? An heiress or what? Why would she even be here?"
"No—no, I’m sure it was her. She just turned that corner..." Theo slapped Liam’s hand on the wheelchair handle, urging. "Push me. Hurry up."
"Aish..." Liam sighed, but gave in, wheeling him quickly in the direction Theo pointed. They turned the corner, but the space was bare. "See? No one. Like I told you, all the patients here are VIPs. So... what, is she?"
Theo shook his head, a weak smile tugging at his lips. "Nope..." He squinted, trying to recall. "Definitely not an heiress or someone from a rich family. But yes...she still carried herself... classy. Graceful in her own way."
Liam frowned, "This is really weird... I never heard about her before..." he clicked his tongue, "How many times did you meet her?"
"Twice..."
Theo’s answer was so firm, so certain, that it made Liam stare at him as though he’d grown a second head. "Twice?" he repeated. "That’s it? You meet her two times and suddenly she’s the center of your universe?"
Theo leaned back against the wheelchair, eyes narrowing in thought. "You wouldn’t get it... sometimes two moments are more than enough to last a lifetime." His voice dropped, softer, almost wistful.
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling sharply. "Nope. I’ll hold your hand and swear on this... just a few months after you met her, you completely forgot about it. Until now, you never once mentioned her name."
Theo’s brows are knitted. "That’s impossible..." His lips pressed into a thin line, as though forcing his memory to obey. But the harder he tried, the blurrier it became. "I... I wouldn’t forget Elly."
"Yet you did," Liam muttered, pushing the wheelchair forward again. "The only reason she’s alive in your head now is because your brain hit rewind." He gave the chair a sharp turn, exhaling through his nose. "Now... let’s go back to your room. I’m done playing nanny to someone who thinks he’s still nineteen. Please, for the love of God, get your memories straight before I lose my own."
Theo huffed, clearly annoyed, but leaned back in the chair with a faint smirk. "Tch. Bossy as ever... guess some things never change."
Liam rolled his eyes but didn’t respond, too tired to keep indulging him.
The hospital room door slid open slowly. Daisy stepped inside, her soft smile immediately brightening the stillness of the room.
"Did you have a good rest?" she asked warmly as she walked straight to the bed. She pulled the chair closer and sat down, her hands automatically reaching for him. "I’m sorry I came a little late today..."
Thomas’s gaze lifted to her, and though his movements were limited, something in him stirred. His lips, stiff from days of silence, managed the faintest curve. It wasn’t much, but for Daisy, it was everything because it was the first smile he had given since his stroke.
Her throat tightened, but she forced her own smile wider, holding his hand gently. "There it is... my strong Dad."
Daisy squeezed his hand gently, leaning closer so he could catch every word.
"Dad, I spoke with the doctor earlier," she began softly. "He said you’ve been showing improvement. Your grip is stronger, and your response time is getting better."
Her eyes glimmered as she continued, "So...I went ahead and arranged for a new set of therapy sessions. They’ll help you regain more movement and speech. It might feel tough at first, but I know you. You’ve always been stubborn when it comes to challenges."
Thomas blinked slowly, his fingers twitching slightly under her palm.
Daisy chuckled faintly, brushing his knuckles with her thumb. "See? Even that little move proves you’re fighting. I believe you’ll be walking around and scolding me again for being late in no time."
Her voice softened even more, carrying both her hope and her ache. "Just... don’t give up, okay? I’m right here with you. Always."
But then, the door slid open and Daisy turned her head, only to find Jasmine walking in.
But then, the door slid open and Daisy turned her head, only to find Jasmine standing there.
"Oh, I’m sorry... I—I..." Jasmine stuttered, her voice small as her eyes darted between Daisy and Thomas. She knew she wasn’t welcome, not after Daisy had made it clear she didn’t want her visiting.
Daisy’s expression hardened, though she kept her voice steady for her father’s sake. She smoothed the blanket over Thomas’s lap, her touch tender, deliberate. "I’ll step out for a while, Dad. Get some air." Her words were soft, but the finality in them was sharp, meant for Jasmine more than for him.
Standing up, she headed toward the door, adding quietly, "I won’t be long."
"Daisy..." Jasmine’s voice wavered, hesitant, almost pleading. "Can we talk? Just for a moment... if you could at least give me ten minutes?"
Daisy froze, her fingers brushing the cold metal of the door handle. Slowly, she turned her head, her expression tired more than harsh. "What more is there for us to talk about, Mom?" Her voice came out low, steady, but carried the weight of years she had swallowed down.
Jasmine twisted her hands together, fumbling for words before finally blurting, "I just... I wanted you to know I’ve already rented a place. I found work too. You don’t need to worry about me anymore."
For a heartbeat, silence filled the room. Then Daisy let out a brittle laugh, sharp enough to cut. "Worry about you? Why would I worry about you?"
Jasmine’s gaze dropped to the floor, her lips pressed shut as if the words had stolen her breath. At last, she whispered, "I’m sorry..."
"Sorry?" Daisy’s voice cracked, the edge of her laugh gone now, leaving only raw hurt. "I really wished that apology had come sixteen... seventeen years ago."
She slid the door open, but before she could step out, Jasmine’s trembling hand caught her arm.
Jasmine’s grip tightened, her voice trembling as if she’d been holding the words for years. "At that time... I was so stressed when my father threatened me..."
Daisy arched her brow, she didn’t look impressed, "Which time? Because you always come and go in our life..."
Jasmine’s lips parted, but no sound came at first. Her eyes glistened as she shook her head faintly. "The first time... after you were born. I was barely holding myself together, and when he said I wasn’t fit to raise you, that you’d be better off without me... I believed him. I was weak, Daisy."
Daisy let out a short, bitter laugh, crossing her arms. "And the other times? Was he still holding a knife to your throat then, too? Or was leaving just easier for you?"
Jasmine flinched, her grip loosening slightly on Daisy’s arm, guilt flooding her face.
"I don’t think I could ever accept any excuse you try to give," Daisy’s voice shook but didn’t soften, her eyes locked on her mother. "Twenty-five years of living hell as your daughter can’t be justified by reasons you suddenly want to share now."
Her breath hitched, but she pushed on, glaring with a sorrow that cut deeper than anger. "I still remember the chokehold on my life when the loan sharks came after me because of the money you borrowed."
Her hand trembled as she pointed toward Thomas, voice breaking. "And not just that... you cooperated with them to bring Dad down, to bankrupt his company. And look at him now, Mom... look at what he’s become because of you."
Daisy pulled her arm free with a swift jerk, her voice low but cutting. "Just be honest here... your mere apologies won’t even cut for the damage you’ve done. Not now, not ever."