Chapter 295

“Kiki, tonight Daddy will watch the stars with you.” “Kiki, be a good girl and take your medicine.” “Kiki…”

“Dad, Mom…” I reached for them, but my hands were pinned down. A familiar voice called, “Kiki, Kiki, wake up, wake up…”

Two hands gently cupped my face. Hayden’s anxious face swam into focus. His thumb brushed my cheek. “Kiki, it’s me.”

It was Hayden. The heartbreaking dream relinquished its hold, but reality brought a worse pain. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. Hayden pried my mouth open. “Kiki, stop. Don’t hurt yourself. Please, listen to me…”

His voice called my name, but I only saw my parents’ faces. “Ah!” I screamed. Hayden pulled me into his arms. I collapsed against his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. I pounded his chest, but no one could understand the depth of my pain, my desperate desire to disappear. My kind, loving parents—why did they have to die like that? I couldn’t accept it. The agony consumed me, a pain that made me want to tear myself apart.

But Hayden held on tight. Unable to hurt myself, I bit his shoulder hard. Then, everything went black as the storm inside me finally engulfed me.

When I woke, there were no dreams, only the dim yellow glow of a lamp and Hayden slumped beside the bed. Memories flooded back, and I closed my eyes, exhausted. The pain remained, but it was less crushing. I forced myself to bury the image of my parents’ suffering deep down, where it wouldn't consume me.

“Do you want some water?” Hayden’s voice was soft, hesitant. Even exhausted, he’d noticed I was awake.

I nodded, wanting to worry him no more. Hayden helped me sit up and brought water to my lips.

“I’ve got it,” I said, but my hands shook so badly I almost dropped the glass.

“Just drink,” he said, holding it for me. I managed a few sips before spilling some down my chin. Hayden gently wiped it away, his fingers brushing my skin.

I glanced outside at the dark sky. “What time is it?”

“Ten p.m.,” he replied. My mouth opened, but he ran his fingers through my hair. “You’re hungry?”

Not really, but seeing how tired he looked, I knew he hadn’t eaten. I nodded. “Maybe some roasted pear soup?”

“Sure,” he said, smiling slightly. “Anything else?”

Anything else? I hesitated, then thought of my mother’s pancakes. “Maybe fluffy cornmeal pancakes too?”

“Got it. Anything else?”

I shook my head. “No, that’s it.” Then, after a pause, I added, “You can get something for yourself too.”

He ruffled my hair gently. “Alright, hang tight. I’ll get someone to bring it over.” He started typing on his phone. I didn’t ask who he was texting—I was too drained to care. I just stared at the ceiling, feeling oddly detached.

The silence stretched until my phone buzzed. Hayden glanced at the screen before handing it to me. “It’s Wayne.”