Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 78

Hugo Harrington arrived on Saturday morning.

When he walked in, Willow was sitting with Martha Mercer, watching TV. Because Willow had given her a heads-up, Martha wasn't caught off guard. After that disastrous phone call, Martha had easily deduced that Willow had likely orchestrated this visit specifically to ease her mind.

As a result, Martha didn't betray a hint of suspicion. She treated him with the same warm, easygoing hospitality she showed all of Willow's friends, doing her best to put her daughter at ease.

Hugo, on the other hand, was visibly stunned the moment he laid eyes on Willow. It had barely been a week since they had gone skiing, yet she looked completely different.

She had lost weight.

Her figure was more toned, her facial features sharper and more defined. Paired with her luminous skin, she radiated a quiet, self-possessed elegance—reserved yet striking. For a fleeting second, the woman standing before him perfectly overlapped with the girl he remembered from college.

Except back then, she had possessed a youthful innocence; now, she carried an air of sophisticated maturity.

"You've lost weight," he observed.

"Yes," Willow admitted, seeing no reason to lie.

Thanks to a strict regimen of diet and exercise, she had indeed shed several pounds, though she wasn't quite back to her baseline. Clearly, the changes were noticeable, as it was the first thing Martha had mentioned when she walked in earlier that morning.

"You know, you don't have to do this for anyone else's sake," Hugo said quietly.

Knowing exactly who he meant, Willow looked him in the eye. "This has absolutely nothing to do with him."

She was doing this entirely for herself.

To change, to find her own happiness, to rebuild her life from the ground up.

Hugo watched her go without another word. It wasn't a conversation that could be summarized in a few sentences anyway; he could always ask her again later.

When Willow arrived breathlessly back at the ward, she realized the doctor had only called to give her an update regarding taking Martha outside. Relieved it wasn't bad news, Willow let out a long exhale.

The doctor was incredibly thorough, refusing to give a blanket answer. He carefully weighed both Martha's physical condition and her mental well-being before making his recommendation. Based on his expertise, a little light activity outside would be beneficial, provided she was properly protected from the elements and they monitored her stamina closely.

Upon hearing the news, Martha looked even more excited than Willow. She immediately asked the doctor if they could go out that very day.

With the doctor's blessing, Martha eagerly urged Willow to start packing a bag.

Willow was still a bit hesitant, but seeing the bright, hopeful look in her mother's eyes melted her resolve. She figured Martha was just suffering from a severe case of cabin fever after being cooped up in the hospital for so long.

After double-checking every precaution with the doctor and bundling Martha up in several layers of warm clothing, Willow finally guided her out the doors.