Sasha wasn’t sure how long she squatted there crying at the bus stop, but at some point, the light rain had turned into a downpour and drenched her completely. Spotting her, someone quickly approached.
“Miss, are you alright? It’s so cold out here, and it’s raining too. Don’t you want to go home?”
At the sound of the stranger’s voice, Sasha slowly raised her head which she was resting on her knees.
The stranger was a middle-aged woman in her forties, wearing a thick, padded-down jacket that had lint at the hems. Even from a distance away, Sasha could tell smell the odor of oil and smoke coming off the woman.
She had to be a stay-at-home mother or housewife.
Shaking her head, Sasha sniffled. “I’m fine.”
“Then, you should hurry back home. There’s probably someone waiting for you, right? Did you miss the bus? I’m telling you, young lady, there are no buses that come around here at this time. I’ll help you wave down a taxi,” the woman offered kindly.
“There’s really no need…” Sasha hurriedly shook her head, waving her hands in front of her.
The woman seemed to notice the sadness on Sasha’s face, she sighed as she offered some words of advice. “You look like you’ve been through a lot, kiddo. It’s alright. You’ll always run into problems in life, but the most important thing is that you get back up and face them head-on. Think of the people who loves you and waiting for you, alright?”
Sasha’s mind blanked.
The people who is waiting for me?
How could I have forgotten? There’s someone waiting for me. Even if my parents are gone and I’m estranged from my relatives, I have my kids waiting for me back home! There’s no one who needs me more than them!
Sasha placed a hand on the floor to push herself upright, stumbling slightly as if having woken up from a deep slumber. “I understand now. Thank you, ma’am.”
“That’s good. Hurry along, then.”
The middle-aged woman smiled, shifted the bags in her arms, and started hurrying back to her own home.
Sasha’s lips were already blue from the cold as she stuck a trembling arm out, waiting for a taxi to notice her.
I have to get to my son. He’s waiting for me.
It was getting late.
The rain grew heavier with every passing moment, and Sasha didn’t feel any warmer even though the taxi’s heater was turned on. Pulling her clothes tighter around her, she tried to look for something to dry off her damp hair. It was only then did she realize that she’d left the house in such a rush, the only thing on her right now was her medical kit.
Never mind.
I wonder if Ian’s already asleep by now?
Staring out of the window, she couldn’t help but worry.
Fortunately, due to the late hour, there wasn’t a lot of traffic on the road. The drive to Frontier Bay was only twenty minutes.
“Miss, we’re here.”
The driver had never been to this famous residential area full of rich people before, so he couldn’t help but take a good look at Sasha through the rearview mirror.
Not only did the sight of her bedraggled appearance let him down, she even had to scrounge up money for the taxi fare.
Sasha got down from the taxi. Turning towards the mansion, she saw that it was completely dark except for a few lamps lighting up the garden.
Does that mean Little Ian is already asleep?
Standing outside with only an umbrella above her head, she considered walking away.
She’d only insisted on coming here at such a late hour because she’d promised Ian that she would come and visit him at night. If she didn’t show up, he might refuse to sleep and wait up in his bedroom in thin pajamas, just like before.
Then, he ended up getting sick.
What about now?
Sasha stared at the mansion for a long while, making sure that there were no signs of life before finally mustering up the courage to walk away.
“Dr. Wand? Dr. Wand!”
Someone suddenly called out to her.
Who is that?
Sasha whipped around, staring curiously at the person. “Wendy? Is that you? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“Oh, I am waiting up for you! Thank goodness you made it.”
Wendy was out of breath and wet from the rain as she ran out of the house, but there was also a bright smile on her face like she’d just completed a mission of sorts.
Is Little Ian really still awake?
Her heart leaping into her throat, Sasha followed Wendy in without another word.
The two of them entered the mansion. Sasha quickly noticed that the downstairs living room was still brightly lit, but the rest of the house was empty, with no sign of Ian to be found.
Where is he?
Turning towards Wendy, Sasha asked, “Where’s the kid?”
