In the Director's office at Serenity Care Hospital, Dr. Brice pointed at the surveillance screen, saying, "He's here."
In the frame, Kyle was holding Sansa's hand, sitting by her bedside.
Kyle was dressed in a crisp white suit with a blue-striped tie today. The blue-striped tie matched the blanket that Sansa was covered with. At the foot of Sansa's bed, there was a bouquet of red roses, the most vibrant color in the entire ward. It seemed to light up the blue and white tones of the room, breathing life into it.
Sansa lay there quietly, her cheeks hollowed by extreme thinness, a stark contrast to the lively woman from his memory.
He gently stroked her fallen cheeks with his hand, the pain in his heart was as if it was being carved by a knife.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally managed to utter a sentence.
"I'm sorry, Sansa, I'm sorry, I came too late." Tears rolled down his cheeks, landing on her pale face, yet she lay there still, like an inanimate doll.
Julie never thought that she would witness such a heart-wrenching scene. Kyle had only spoken one sentence, just one. But from his quivering back, Julie felt as if she could see the love they once shared.
He was always a gentleman, always considerate. He would pull out the chair for Sansa during meals, even test the water temperature before she drank.
Her mother always said that Kyle had spoiled Sansa, letting the usually independent and strong Sansa act like a child in front of him. Julie remembered the proposal, how it had been.
He had bought her favorite red roses, knelt down on one knee, and looked up at her. It was winter, Julie was at Kieran's house finishing her homework.
It was the first snowfall of the year, Julie had made plans for her and Kieran to spend the day together. The rumor was that a confession under the first snow would last forever. But tragically, she had spent the day working on her assignments.
When she stepped out of Kieran's house, feeling disappointed, the snow had already covered the entire ground. In the evening, outside the villa lit with festive lights, Kyle was kneeling in the snow, holding Sansa's favorite red roses, and a ring in his hand, he asked her, "Miss Sansa, would you like to be my silly girl for life?"
Even though it was a distant memory, that beautiful scene was etched in Julie's mind. Until later, when Sansa and Kyle inexplicably broke up, she was watching Sansa cry her heart out all night, and then watching her pull herself together, saying she wanted to be a woman worthy of Kyle.
Sansa made herself strong and fearless, but Kyle seemed to have disappeared from the world. And now, the man she loved was sitting in front of her, but she didn't even have the chance to say a word.
Julie felt as if someone was sawing at her heart, her eyes welled up with tears, unable to describe the pain she felt.
Kieran reached out and pulled Julie into his arms, letting her cry on his chest.
Kyle held Sansa’s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined. He spoke to her as if chatting about their daily lives, whispering, "Sansa, I've opened a law firm, it's called S&J. which stands for Stefan and June - signifying both me and your favourite month. You said you loved June because you were born in June, and we met in June. I asked you who you loved the most, and you said Joyce. You promised to protect your sister from the moment she was born. So I said, okay, you protect her, and I'll protect you. But you kept your promise, and I failed..."
Julie was crying in Kieran's arms, and Kieran was gently patting her back.
Kyle traced Sansa's features softly with his fingers, "I've put down all the responsibilities and burdens I had, and came to you empty-handed to fulfill my promise. You're my last piece of luggage..."
This time, let me protect you. If you wake up, I'll take you to see the vast sky and sea. If you don't, I'll stay here with you until the end of time...Kyle thought so, leaning down and placing a devout kiss on Sansa's forehead.
Dr. Brice looked at the emotional Julie, his brow furrowed. He gently closed his laptop, and said to Kieran, "Don't worry, there will be someone on duty tonight, she will be fine."
**
The next morning when Julie woke up, she found that her eyes were red and swollen.
Shannon came over, “Young Master left for the office early. He said he'd pick you up at noon. Madame.."
Shannon paused, as if she was unsure whether to continue.
Julie laughed, "Shannon, just say what you want to say, it's alright."
Shannon chuckled awkwardly before finally saying, "Madame, did someone bully you? If someone did, you must tell the Young Master..."
Shannon's genuine concern warmed Julie's heart, reminding her of her own mother. Her mother was always so elegant, always eager to raise her and Sansa well, hoping they would thrive. Shannon was never this caring in her childhood memories with Sansa.
She hugged Shannon gently, sincerely thanking her, "Shannon, thank you. For staying with me unwaveringly back then, and for caring about me now."
Shannon patted Julie's back, her smile kind, "Silly girl, I’m just doing my job! It was Young Master who asked me to stay with you. There's not much I can do, but seeing how you two have struggled and been apart for so many years, it pains me too!"
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