When they saw me, Brian’s steps faltered. For a brief second, I caught a flash of heartache in his eyes as he noticed my pale face.
But before he could speak, Mum rushed to me, her voice sharp and full of blame as she confronted me, "Lilian, what’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell us you were being discharged? Do you know how worried we were about you?"
Dad immediately added, "Adeline already explained what happened. She said she lost her balance that day and accidentally dragged you into the fire. Out of guilt, she pushed you away to save you. She didn’t mean it!"
"And you … you’re being ungrateful, leaving the hospital on your own and throwing a tantrum?"
Adeline lowered her head, her expression pitiful and weak. But at the corners of her lips, there was a subtle, triumphant smile. It was a smile meant only for me to see.
She looked at me like a victor claiming her prize.
I stared at them all and suddenly laughed bitterly.
"Worried about me? So worried that during my three-day coma, you only cared about Adeline and never once came to see me?"