The next day, he came to check on her. As he reached her door, faint, trembling words slipped through the crack.
"Just tell me the truth. I don't want anything else—either it's property or nothing. I simply want to know… the truth. Where is he now?"
Her voice cracked, and a muffled sob followed.
He stepped inside. "What happened to you, Champion? Who were you talking to? Who is this 'he' you're referring to?"
She quickly hung up the phone and turned her face away. "I've already said—it doesn't matter." Her tone was sharp, her eyes glinting with something between anger and pain.
"Please, Champion… don't be angry," he said gently, searching her expression for an answer she refused to give.
Before she could respond, the door burst open.
"Here's your lunch, Sisi!" her siblings shouted in unison, smiles wide.
"I'm not hungry. Please… take it back," she replied flatly.
"What is this, Sisi? You skipped breakfast and now lunch too?" her younger sister scolded, arms crossed.
"Champion, why aren't you eating?" he asked, still watching her carefully.
"Please… excuse me. I'm just not hungry."
He crouched beside her with a teasing grin. "Don't be stubborn, Champion. Just open your mouth—look, here's an aeroplane, coming in for a landing…" He guided the spoon toward her. "You're a brave young lady, aren't you?"
A reluctant smile broke through her sadness, and a small laugh escaped her lips.
"Hahaha!" the rest joined in, filling the room with warmth that, for a moment, pushed the shadows away.