Everything Nancy said was going in Charles' one ear and coming out the other. From where did she gather such a pile of gibberish?
He cleared his throat and tried to explain. His voice was cool. "Nancy, Lilian is too young. Don't you understand what I'm saying? I was drunk last night. Jay was worried about my safety. He asked Lilian to come with me but I couldn't let her return again by that time. It was quite late, and there were no taxis. That's why I told her to stay for the night. That's all, I swear!"
Charles's explanation was detailed, but Nancy thought he was holding something back.
She seemed amused. "Really? That's all? So, you went out angrily yesterday only to get a drink? You mean she wasn't drinking with you? I don't even care what happened between both of you. You can relax and keep your explanation to yourself."
"That's so absurd." Charles pounded a fist on the table. "Nancy, you're imagining things. You're paranoid!"
"Oh, am I? But I was just telling the truth. Do you deny what you know is true?" Nancy asked with a mocking smile.
Charles was irritated. His eyes flashed with anger, and the veins in his head popped. His eyes blazed as he bit hard on each word, "Nancy, I got drunk. Do you care to know why?"
"You tell me," Nancy replied.
The questions he planned to ask stuck in his throat. He didn't want to embarrass her by bringing some things up. Everything would be revealed at the right time.
He didn't have to be in a hurry. He could wait till she was ready to speak out by herself.
Without another word, he stood and went upstairs.
He went to Bobby's room and saw that he was still fast asleep.
Nadia held a doll and seemed to be sleeping even more soundly than Bobby.
Not wanting to wake them, he sat on the sofa in the corridor and continued to sulk.
He lit a cigarette and puffed slowly to calm his anger.
There were voices in the dining room downstairs.
"Lilian, you have to go to work, don't you? So, eat some more. I'll drive you there after your breakfast," Nancy urged lightly, sounding like everything was fine.
"Alright," Lillian answered, lifting the last piece of cake to her mouth hurriedly.
Nancy was depressed all morning. She was a shadow of her usual self. She felt limp and uninterested in her daily routine.
"Director Nancy, is something bothering you?" Erin asked, noticing Nancy in the office.
"Nothing. It's just a headache," she groaned worriedly.
"A headache? Didn't you sleep well last night?" Erin pressed.
Nancy smiled bitterly, "No, I can't sleep."
"Well, Director Nancy, I have to tell you something. It's bad news, actually, but don't take it too hard." Erin began to cringe just then. She grabbed her dress with both hands like a child who was about to be punished for doing something wrong. She whispered some words shakily.
"Tell me what has happened!"
"It's Jessie. She... she tried to kill herself last night!"
Nancy's heart nearly jumped through her mouth. She felt an explosion in her head.
She stared at Erin for a few seconds, looking as though she had seen a ghost. Then, she managed to ask in a trembling voice, "Is she... please, tell me, is she still alive?"
"Thankfully, yes!" Erin sighed, "I'm so sorry to be bringing you this news right now, Director Nancy. Do you think Jessie attempted suicide because she was punished?
Don't blame yourself for this. I just had to ask. As long as she's alive, there's hope." Nancy wondered what she would have done if Nancy had died. It would have been unbearable.
She stood up slowly and said, "Let's go see her."
"Okay."
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