Facade of Love

Chapter 356 To Tully City

A shadow passed over Idris‘ eyes. “You don’t want to see me?”

That was not what I meant!

I was slow on the uptake but then blurted out, “The police haven’t made any headway with Jack’s case, and Young Corporation is swamped with work waiting for you. You don’t have to spend your energy on me. I meant it when I said I would think about us. I wasn’t lying! So, don’t worry about me changing my mind.”

Regardless of our future together, I would give him a straight answer.

He paused for a few seconds before responding, “Okay, I’ll wait for your answer.”

I nodded, wincing from the pain in my tailbone as I hobbled home. The house was pitch–black and deserted, probably because Mom and Maxwell were out.

That is what I got for being reckless. Now, I was in pain and all alone.

With the house empty, I did not bother with the lights and headed straight to my bedroom. I had planned to shower, but the fall had really hurt, so I just washed my face and climbed into bed.

Trying to sleep proved futile due to the pain.

I called Mom. The phone rang and rang with no answer. When I tried again, she picked up three rings.

“Mom, are you coming home soon? I…”

me,” a gentle voice

myself off and hesitated before recognizing her. “Alice?”

after

some medicine for me. Hold on for a bit, and as soon as she’s back,

no, it’s nothing. I was just wondering where she

end of the line was as soft as ever. “I’m feeling a lot better. Sorry about that. Aunt Deb and Maxwell are here with me. I hope I haven’t messed up any of

something in my chest tightened. I spoke into the phone, “No worries on my end, I’m just swamped with work stuff. I’m really tied up and can’t swing by to see you. Just focus on getting better, okay? I’ll drop by the hospital once I catch a

a gentle laugh. “Thanks, but really, don’t trouble yourself. Aunt Deb and Maxwell are taking great

managed a chuckle, made some small talk, and then

and flopped onto the bed, letting out a breath I did not realize I was holding. My rear end was killing me, and sleep was impossible. I had hoped to get some bruise cream from Mom when she got back, but since she was busy, that plan was

356 To Tully

for a

on the go. I was at the office daily, hobbling around, Uncle Marcus caught sight of my limp and asked, “Are you okay?

klutzy fall, I just laughed it off, “Oh, I just took a little tumble. No

look that was part worrisome and part lecturing. He showed up at my office with an armload of remedies around lunchtime. “Watch your step, will you? And take care of yourself. Slap on some of this stuff, and if it’s not getting any better, I’m here

flashed him a grateful smile, and said, “I hear you, thanks a bunch, Uncle Marcus.”

let out a mixture

to my ears in work. When my phone buzzed with a call from

the other end