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The weight in Stanley's gut eased slightly, and the cynical look in his eyes deepened.
Joyce caught it and let out a bitter chuckle. “I'll take my leave then.”
She lowered her head and dashed out of his office, not wanting him to see the tears falling again.
Once the open sky was above her, she raised her head.
She noted the sky was dark and cloudy as if it would rain soon. Well, at least the weather reflects my mood. It's
dark, cloudy, and raining.
Reaching for her phone, she called a number.
Within minutes, her call connected, and a kind woman's voice sounded. “Hello?”
“Mom, it's me.” Joyce plastered a forced smile on her face.
She could hear the joy in Caitlin's voice. “Joyce, why are you calling at this hour? Aren't you at work?”
“I'm on my leave today, Mom. Can I go see you and Dad tomorrow?” Joyce asked.
Caitlin answered, “Tomorrow? That's great! You haven't dropped by in a while. Your dad was talking about you at
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtdinner yesterday. He was wondering when you'll be back for dinner. The chicken we're rearing in our backyard is fat
enough.”
Hearing her mother's affection, she could feel tears pricking her eyes, waiting to fall.
She sniffled and sucked in a breath to suppress her tears, feigning glee in her voice. “I'll be back tomorrow. Ask Dad
to prepare chicken soup for me. Add mushroom too.”
“Okay, I'll tell him that,” Caitlin said with a laugh.
After a few more conversations were exchanged, she ended the call.
Droplets of water began raining from the sky.
As though the pillar supporting her had crumbled, tears began streaming down her face as she bent down,
wrapping her arms around her knees. One could hear the overwhelming sadness in her sobs.
Passersby, who witnessed her crying, were guessing if her boyfriend had dumped her.
Yet no one came up and comforted her. They merely stood there watching with cold eyes and whispered among
themselves.
As the rain got heavier, the sky had gotten even darker. Suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind her. “Are you
all right, miss?”
Joyce wiped away her tears as she raised her head from her knees and looked over her shoulder at the person who
cared about her.
The man was tall and good-looking. Despite wearing a suit, he seemed approachable. He should be one of the
upper management in some companies.
“Thank you for your concern. I'm fine,” Joyce answered through the sobs.
The man offered her a handkerchief. “Your eyes are swollen from crying. Here, wipe it.”
Joyce had wanted to reject it but remembered she didn't have any tissue in her purse. She couldn't use the helm of
her shirt to wipe her tears, so she accepted it. “Thank you. I-I'll pay you for it.” She quickly wiped her tears and
fumbled for her purse.
The man merely smiled. “Don't worry about it. You don't have to pay me for it. It's just a handkerchief. Are you here
for a consultation?”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“No, I'm about to leave.” Joyce shook her head.
The man tilted his chin. “It's raining cats and dogs out here. Do you have an umbrella with you?”
Joyce wore a sheepish smile. “I don't have one, but my car is just right around the block. I'll just run over there.”
“You'll be drenched even if you run. How about I escort you there since I have an umbrella?” The man waved the
umbrella in his hand.
Joyce put the handkerchief in her purse. “Thank you then.”
Since I've already accepted his handkerchief, I might as well borrow his umbrella.
Joyce got up and walked to his side. The man opened up his umbrella and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Feeling his arm around her shoulder, her entire body stiffened. “You-”
“Sorry about not telling you prior, but I just wanted you to stand closer to me under the umbrella since it's not big
enough to support two people. I don't you to get wet,” the man explained with a smile.
Joyce looked up at the umbrella and noticed it was indeed not wide enough for two people. Moreover, he didn't
place his palm on my shoulder. He just used his wrist. At the assurance, she let go of any uneasiness and stepped
into the rain with him toward her car.
Not long after, Stanley came out of the hospital with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his white coat. His gaze
was focused on the two that just left.
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