I lifted my eyes to the man standing in front of me. The concern in his gaze looked genuine, identical to every single day of the past month.
I lowered my eyes, afraid he'd see through me.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about Marilyn. She's so little. What's going to happen to her?"
Thaddeus let out a breath of relief and carefully helped me up from the floor.
"It's going to be okay, Albie. Medical technology is advancing so fast these days. There'll be a way. I'll find a matching kidney and heart for you and Marilyn. You two are my everything."
"And even if I can't find them, it's fine. I'll protect you both for the rest of my life. I'll be your shelter. I'll be the one you lean on."
Listening to him, a bitter laugh echoed silently inside me.
If I hadn't just overheard that conversation with his secretary, I would have believed every single word.
But now, all that was left in my heart was hatred. A hatred so vast it could swallow the sky.
"Let's go to sleep, Thaddeus. I'm tired. Don't wake Marilyn."
He didn't suspect a thing.
"Okay. Let's sleep."
A long while later, his voice drifted through the darkness, murmuring in his sleep.
"Monica... Monica..."