Chapter 1307

"I wouldn't mind that," Lily said, noticing Anastasia looked weak and tired after speaking only a few words. "Do you get tired easily?"

With a pillow supporting her head, Anastasia nodded, her gaze downcast. "Yeah. I'm fat and lazy, so I get fatigued easily."

"Lazy? You're not," Lily countered, gesturing to the bonsai in the corner. "You managed these plants, didn't you? How could you call yourself lazy when you care for and prune them so skillfully?" Anastasia looked towards the lush, well-maintained plants, each pruned into the shape of a cartoon animal.

"How did you know I pruned them?" Anastasia smiled. "Why didn't you think the maids did it?"

Lily shook her head. "They wouldn't have pruned them into such cute shapes. Only someone as innocent as a child would do that." "Innocent..." Anastasia repeated softly, sighing. "I'm twenty-one this year. What innocence do I have left? Plus, no kid would look like this." She patted her belly, a look of unhappiness crossing her face. Lily sensed Anastasia's insecurity and frustration about her weight. After all, she was a young woman, and body image concerns were common, especially with weight gain.

Lily hesitated before saying anything about her heart being more important than her appearance. A young woman from a wealthy family would naturally desire youth and beauty. "Has your weight always been like this, or did you gain it suddenly?" Lily asked directly.

Anastasia tilted her head, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I guess...since I was young. But I wasn't this fat then, perhaps just slightly chubbier than other kids." She paused. "My mother passed away long ago, and my father was always busy with work. No one paid attention to what I ate. The maids prepared whatever I asked for—all the things I loved, but were unhealthy. Then..." Her voice softened. "I just kept eating, and one day, I realized I couldn't stop."

Lily nodded understandingly. A child lacking love and companionship might find solace in other ways to combat loneliness. Some sought friends, some self-harmed, some bottled their feelings, developing depression. Anastasia, it seemed, found comfort in food.

Anastasia's unique circumstances required Cameron to protect her extensively from a young age. Making genuine friends was difficult, and she couldn't confide much in her maids or nanny. She was often alone, left with her own thoughts and feelings.

"Have you seen a psychiatrist?"

The question startled Anastasia. She blinked, seemingly surprised. "Shouldn't I see an endocrinologist?"

"My father and uncle took me to many specialists, even acupuncture. Dad considered gastric bypass surgery but worried about the risks. But if this continues, it might be my only option."

"What did the endocrinologist say?" Lily asked seriously, her question eliciting no resistance from Anastasia.

The two continued their conversation, casually discussing her weight, obesity, and illness.