S21 70. Visiting Melanie
“Auntie,” Louis appeared in his excited manner, “we met Mr. Morris earlier. He said he came to offer you the apartment and the
conditions are still the same!”
Emily, who arrived later, clenched her fists in front of her chest. “Did you accept the apartment? Will you live there? Will you leave us?”
Barbara and Philip glanced at each other. Their hearts were tickled by the reaction of the toddlers. Secretly, they were grateful that they hadn’t been caught red-handed.
“I bet you didn’t hear Mr. Morris’s explanation until the end,” Barbara said, making the twins’ eyebrows furrow.
“Yes, we want to hear it directly from you. You won’t leave us, right?” Emily pouted with her teary eyes.
“If you move there, we can only see each other on holidays. That would be very painful.” Louis held his chest and grimaced.
Laughing, Barbara approached the twins. “Are you that afraid losing me?”
The Twins nodded.
“We already love you, Auntie. We hope we can play and work t every day.” Emily’s voice melted her heart even more.
“And if you leave, I think Emily will cry every night. I also can’t because I can’t stop thinking about you. Our days won’t be fun.” L pouted.
Feeling exasperated, Barbara pinched the twins’ cheeks. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve already turned down Mr. Morris’ offer.”
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The twins stared wide eyed.
“You refused the apartment?”
“You will stay here? With Philip?”
Barbara nodded. “Yes.”
The twins instantly threw their fists into the air. While cheering, they ran around Barbara.
“Woohoo! Auntie won’t leave. We can see her every day.”
“We won’t be sad. We can accompany her with Philip.”
Then, Louis and Emily scrambled to hug Barbara. Philip chuckled at their behavior. At that moment, Frank and Kara pushed the door wider.
“What’s going on? You guys seem really happy.”
“Daddy! We just found out that Auntie is not moving. She still live with
us.”
“We can have fun with her every day, Daddy. Our family is getting more harmonious and bigger.”
While Emily spread her arms as wide as possible, the curve of Barbara’s lips faded. Melanie’s image flashed through her mind.
“Brother,” she sighed softly, “before going back to your house, m
visit Mom first?”
Everyone looked at Frank in unison. The man blinked for a momer
“Sure. Shall we leave now?”
The twins widened their eyes again. “Are children allowed in? Nora said it’s dangerous for us.”
“That’s why we never asked Mommy and Daddy to visit Grandma.”
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Emily nodded cutely.
Kara stroked the twins’ cheeks. “If you go alone, it’s certainly
dangerous. But if we go together, I think it’s not a problem. As long as you aren’t naughty or don’t cause a fuss.”
The toddlers simultaneously raised their hands beside their heads, just like someone who was about to say an oath.
“We promise we won’t be naughty.”
“Yeah, we promise we’ll be nice.”
“And,” Frank pointed up his finger, “you must always follow Mommy and Daddy. You can’t go anywhere else.”
Louis’ mouth rounded. His eyes shifted to glance at Emily. “That means Nora is right. It’s really dangerous there.”
“You can’t play spy there, Louis.”
While Louis nodded, Barbara was pensive. She wondered why Frank allowed the twins to come along. What kind of rehabilitation center
was it?
Arriving at the location, Barbara finally understood. They didn’t st the main lobby, but in front of another building that was built
separately.
“Is this some kind of VVIP place?” she asked quietly.
Frank nodded. “Patients treated here are safe from other patien
interference. The situation is also calmer.”
“Does it mean it’s safe here?” Louis’ eyebrows arched high.
“As long as you don’t wander off, you’re safe.”
Louis’ lips pursed. “I didn’t mean to wander. Just asking.”
Several people held back their smiles at his behavior, except for
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Emily. The little girl jerked Frank’s trousers.
“Daddy, is Isabela also being treated here?”
Frank blinked slowly. He glanced at Kara, but his wife didn’t show any
reaction.
“I haven’t heard about her for a long time. But back then, when she was first admitted to the rehabilitation center, Mr. Hall chose this place.”
“Do you want to visit Isabela?” Kara straightened her daughter’s hair.
Emily shuddered. “No, Mommy. I’m just curious.”
While the others snorted in amusement, Barbara leaned closer to Philip. “What’s wrong with Isabela? Isn’t she his ex-fiancé?”
Philip glanced briefly. With a faint movement, he drew closer to his lover’s ear.
“The news was covered up. During your brother’s wedding, she tried to ruin the wedding dress. She was mentally shaken. So, her parents had no other choice but to put her in a rehabilitation center.”
Barbara swallowed hard. Isabela’s case was similar to Melanie Apparently, excessive obsession is very dangerous. It can make a person lose her mind.”
Philip rubbed Barbara’s back. “I’m glad you’ve gotten rid of that ki of obsession.”
Barbara smiled wryly. Her good shoulder lifted. “Yes, but my mothe didn’t manage to escape that vicious circle.”
There was nothing Philip could say anymore. He just grabbed Barbara’s fingers, sending her strength.
Arriving in front of a room, he whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m beside you.”
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Barbara nodded slightly. When the door opened, the other four people entered first.
Emily swallowed hard. “H-hello, Grandma.”
She tried to fight fear. However, her sound was too small to be heard by the woman staring out the window.
“Come on, Emily. Call her again, louder.” Louis elbowed his sister’s
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