Three long days had passed, and finally, Millie was going home.
"I'm so happy to be out of there," Millie sighed, stretching her arms as she stepped outside the hospital doors. "I hate the hospital so much."
Rachel chuckled. "I know, but you were super brave."
Millie's dad nodded in agreement. "Yes, very brave."
Millie smiled brightly. "That's because I have great people around me who support and love me. How could I walk around with a sad face? No matter what happens, I'll be strong, just like Mom promised."
Rachel pulled her into a tight hug.
"That's the spirit," Millie's dad said. "By the way, I have a surprise for you girls."
Rachel and Millie exchanged excited looks. "What kind of surprise?" they asked in unison.
Millie's dad grinned. "You'll see when we get home."
When they arrived home, Millie's dad unlocked the door, and to their surprise, Rachel's father was standing inside, waiting for them.
Rachel's eyes widened. "Dad!?"
Millie gasped. "Uncle!?" Without hesitation, she ran toward him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
Rachel's dad laughed warmly. "Hey, little one. Long time no see."
Millie pulled back with a playful pout. "Not so little anymore. I'm a grown woman now."
Rachel's dad chuckled. "Oh wow, I can see that."
Millie turned to Rachel excitedly, practically bouncing on her heels. "Look! It's really him! Aren't you happy? Come on, say hi!"
Rachel hesitated before mumbling, "Hi, Dad."
Her father gave her a soft smile. "Hey, you. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great, thank you." Rachel shifted awkwardly. "I'll, um… go make something to eat. Please make yourself comfortable."
Millie's excitement faltered as she watched Rachel walk away. Shouldn't she be happy to see her dad? But… she doesn't seem happy at all.
Meanwhile, Millie's dad clapped his old friend on the shoulder. "Well, let's go catch up."
Millie hesitated for a moment before calling out, "Wait, Rachel! Let me help!"
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter—at least, for everyone except Rachel. While her father spoke animatedly about the countries he had visited and the interesting places he had seen, Rachel remained quiet, barely touching her food.
Eventually, she excused herself, retreating to her room to study.
As the night went on, Millie also retired to her room, only to remember—I have class tomorrow! I totally forgot!
She sighed, flopping onto her bed. That's when she noticed something out of place. A small notebook sat on her desk… but it wasn't hers.
She picked it up, flipping through the pages. Wait… this is the note from the hospital.
Her heart pounded. Who put this in my room?
The next day at school, Millie sat in the teacher's office, facing her homeroom teacher.
"If you have any difficulties in school, or if there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to let us know," the teacher said kindly. "We're here to support you."
Millie forced a small smile. "Yes, ma'am. I will."
From across the room, Alex stood near the teacher's desk, handing over some paperwork. His gaze lingered on Millie as he observed the entire conversation.
When she walked out of the office, Ted was waiting for her.
"Did you really have to put on such a fake smile just now?" he asked.
Millie's expression crumbled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Alex, who had just stepped into the hallway, raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you're not about to cry, are you?"
And just like that, the tears spilled over.
Without a word, Alex grabbed her wrist and led her through the school halls, guiding her to a quiet, hidden spot with a breathtaking view. They sat together in silence, Millie sobbing softly while Alex leaned back against the railing.
After a while, she sniffled and muttered, "Do you pity me too? Do you think I'm going to die soon?"
Alex scoffed. "Wrong person, to ask that, don't you think?"
Millie wiped her tears. "I hate being treated this way. Everyone looks at me like I'm just going to collapse any second. Even the teachers. I just want to live my life normally. I don't want to be afraid of the future—I want to plan for it."
Alex said nothing. Instead, he pulled out his earphones, placed one in his ear, and then wordlessly handed the other to Millie.
She blinked in surprise. "What…?"
"I don't know why," Alex said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But I love this song. It makes me forget about everything for a while."
Millie hesitated before putting the earphones in her ear. The melody was soothing, calming the storm inside her chest.
Alex leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Next time, tell them, 'I don't have that sickness. It was only my mom, not me.' And if they don't listen—scream it louder. Scream it so even the sickness itself gets the message. Because it's not getting to you."
Millie was mesmerized, her heart pounding. She swallowed, trying to compose herself. "Thank you, Alexander."
Alex leaned back. "Let me know when you're ready to go back."
Meanwhile, Rachel's father had to leave again for a new study, but since his return, he had barely spoken to his daughter. In reality, he had only come back to check on Millie's test results and take them to his lab.
One afternoon, Ted spotted Rachel sitting alone on a park bench, lost in thought.
"Hey there." Rachel jolted slightly, startled. "Oh, it's you."
Ted smirked. "Did I scare you? You looked pretty deep in thought."
Rachel sighed. "A little. But it's nothing to worry about."
Ted sat beside her. "Doesn't seem like nothing. Come on, try me."
Rachel let out a small laugh. "Why are you always here when I'm like this?"
Ted grinned. "God's blessing?"
Rachel actually laughed at that.
"There it is," Ted said. "Finally, a little smile. Now, spill."
Rachel hesitated, then admitted, "My dad's home… but there's the stupid sickness, and I'm worried about Millie's future… my future. I don't even know if I want to be a doctor like him. And I hate the way he is now."
Ted raised a hand. "Okay, breathe before you pass out."
Rachel rolled her eyes, but Ted's voice softened. "Everyone is so busy worrying about each other that they forget the most important thing—spending time together. So tell me, what do you want right now?"
Rachel hesitated. Then, softly, she said, "I just want to be with everyone without worrying. I want to enjoy the moment."
Ted smiled. "Then go home and make it happen."
Rachel studied him for a moment. He can be really calming… I wish…but no. That night, she gathered everyone for dinner, making sure they ate together as a real family for the first time in a long while. But as her father patted her head and told her he was proud, Rachel couldn't shake the feeling in her heart. Why does he want me to go with him?