Anthony remained silent after hearing Thalia's words. Instead, he only stared into her eyes.
Seeing that, Thalia had no choice but to give in. She gazed at him, saying, “Okay, okay. It was my fault. I chased you out in a fit of anger the other day. I didn't mean it that way.”
“I know,” said Anthony when she finished her sentence.
Gazing at him curiously, she asked, “You knew? How?”
“I didn't at first, but after what happened at the coffee shop and the incidents after that, I guessed that was the case.”
Thalia felt a little guilty at the mention of the coffee shop.
That meant that she could no longer hide some things from them.
“What do you know?” Thalia asked softly, casting him a guilty glance.
He stared at her for a while before saying, “There's something wrong with your body.”
For some reason, his words made her heart tremble.
Thalia knew he was smart, but she never expected him to figure it out.
Even so, Thalia was adamant about denying it. She murmured softly, “Who said so? What kind of problem can my body have? Don't spout nonsense.”
“You should know whether or not I'm spouting nonsense the best. Thalia, I just need an honest answer from you,” said Anthony.
Thalia gazed at him, pressing her lips together. Just as she was about to say something, Anthony uttered, “This is the first and the last time I'm asking you this formally. So, you'd better think carefully before answering.”
Thalia was rendered speechless by his words.
Anthony had interrupted her before she could even use the response she had come up with to dismiss the topic.
Hence, she simply stared at him, not knowing what to say.
Just as Thalia was coming up with an answer, Denise suddenly appeared out of nowhere, threw herself into the former's embrace, and burst into tears.
Befuddled, Thalia looked at Denise, who was half her height, and then at Benjamin, who was standing at a distance not too far away. She froze for a moment before asking, “W-What's wrong?”
“Why... Why aren't you telling us?” Denise sobbed.
“What am I not telling?” Thalia asked blankly.
“I know about it. I know about everything. Why aren't you telling us the truth, Thalia? Why do you have to bear such a burden on your own?” Denise questioned with tears flowing down her cheeks.
When Thalia heard that, she was at a loss for words. After all, it was her personal matter. Moreover, she was not afraid of death. Yet, Denise's reaction filled Thalia's heart with inexplicable emotion.
Thalia was not great at comforting others. Casting Anthony and Benjamin a helpless gaze, she said to Denise, “There, there. Don't cry. I'm fine, really!”
“How could you say you're fine? I know about it already. If we didn't overhear Daddy's conversation with Spencer, we would still be kept in the dark. Were you planning on keeping it a secret from us if we didn't bring it up?” Denise asked as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked so pitiful that it ached everyone's hearts.
At that, Thalia hurriedly wiped the tears off Denise's face. “It's really nothing. Spencer says he can develop a medicine. Hence, I won't die—so don't worry, okay?”
Hearing that, Denise paused and looked at Thalia. Her eyes, which were filled with tears earlier, reddened instantly.
Thalia was stunned by her silence. “W-What's wrong now?”
Denise merely gazed at Thalia. The former was only acting earlier. This time, however, she was truly upset.
“You're finally telling the truth,” Anthony piped up.
Thalia's gaze fixed on him.
Glancing at both Anthony and Denise, Thalia finally understood what was going on. “You guys tricked me?”
“How were we supposed to make you tell the truth otherwise?” asked Benjamin as he made his way to her.
World eluded Thalia.
I can't believe an esteemed person like me got tricked by three brats.
Feeling frustrated and exasperated, she questioned, “Don't you think that's a little inappropriate of you all?”
Anthony and Benjamin stared at her without saying a word.
Just then, Denise tugged at the hem of Thalia's shirt and asked, “Thalia, will you die?”
Hearing those words, Thalia, who was originally mad, felt her heart soften when she saw Denise's reddened eyes.
There was a flicker in her eyes as she squatted so her eyes were at the same level as Denise's.
“Denise, did you know that death is a part of life no one can run away from? For some people, it happens a little earlier. And for some, it happens later.”
“I want it to happen later for you, like really, really late,” said Denise.
For some reason, Thalia's nose stung.
Still, she forced a smile. “I want it to happen later too, but that's not up to me.”
“Thalia...”
“However, I'll try my best to make it happen as late as possible,” promised Thalia.
“Really?”
“Yes, but if I accidentally break the promise, you mustn't be sad, okay? I've just gone to another world, and that world is probably a beautiful one,” said Thalia.
“I don't want that!” With that, Denise hopped into Thalia's arms.
Thalia remained in that position, allowing Denise to hug her.
Denise is already feeling so sad because of me. I can't imagine how sad they'll be if they find out Natasha's experiencing the same thing too.
At that thought, Thalia suddenly felt that telling them the truth was not a good idea.
While she was thinking about that, Benjamin walked up as well, which made Thalia look at him in confusion. Suddenly, he, too, hugged her.
Thalia was even more at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Anthony, who was observing from a distance, averted his gaze.
At that moment, Thalia lost all fear of death, because the children had filled her heart with an indescribable warmth.
With that in mind, she said, “Anthony, you're the only one left. Why aren't you coming over?”
“I don't want to,” he rejected right away. His back was facing them as his eyes gradually reddened.
Frowning, Thalia asked, “Why? Are you feeling shy?”
“Of course not.”
“Are you crying then?” teased Thalia.
Upon hearing that, Anthony suddenly turned around to look at her. “Thalia, can you stop joking already?”
Thalia noticed he was a little angry, but she maintained her subtle smile. “No matter if one's joyous or sad, time will pass. So, why spend it unhappily?”
Anthony stared at her, not knowing how to respond.
“I didn't tell you guys because I was afraid you'd react this way. Yes, I'm poisoned, and I might die. In spite of that, the thing I don't like the most is what I'm seeing now. I want the people around me to be happy. So, remember this, you three. You've got to be happy when you're around me. Make sure you smile, or I'll disappear again. And the next time I do, you won't be able to find me anymore.”
“Thalia...” Denise mumbled.
At that moment, Thalia glanced at her and smiled. “Come on, Darling. Smile for me.”
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