The next morning, Ethilia was making coffee when Liana's father walked into the kitchen, smiling warmly. He was already dressed in his business-like look, looking every bit the powerful businessman he was. "Good morning, daughter. So, why are you up so early?"
Ethilia turned, returning his smile softly. "Good morning, uncle… I just woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep."
She hesitated for a second, then handed him a cup. "Here, have some... since you just called me your daughter." She hoped against hope that he wouldn't actually refuse.
Liana's father chuckled and placed a gentle hand on her head, the kind of tender gesture only a father could give. He took the cup and sipped before humming with satisfaction. "Wonderful… it's refreshing. Thank you."
He gave her head a light pat before straightening his coat. "I've got a meeting, so I'll head out. Let my wife know, will you?"
Ethilia swallowed hard, blinking rapidly to hide the tears threatening her eyes. "Okay… don't worry, I'll tell her."
He noticed the shimmer in her eyes but said nothing, sensing her quiet struggle. Instead, he finished his coffee and set the cup down. "She gets furious if I leave without telling her," he said lightly, trying to ease the air.
Ethilia nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, I've seen that..."
He chuckled and started toward the door, but paused, turning back to her. "Call me father… or dad. When I can accept you as my daughter, why can't you accept me as your father?"
A tear finally slipped down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and whispered hoarsely, "Okay… dad."
The word felt like a wish, a prayer she had asked in silence and that had finally been answered.
Liana's father knew Ethilia was trying to be strong and not break down in front of him. He gave a small, proud smile and walked out.
The moment he was out of the kitchen area, Ethilia leaned against the counter, her body trembling as she broke down.
Memories flooded her... of mornings she spent making coffee for her own father, who had once loved her endlessly but never forgave her for her one big mistake.
A father who had disowned her. Someone who got admitted into hospital the day she stepped out of that house. Someone who never wants to see her face but also can't stay without seeing it.
Her hand pressed over her chest as her breath hitched. "I'm so sorry, Pa… I really am," she whispered through sobs. "I chose the wrong person… I never thought my mistake would take you away from me."
She sobbed alone inside the kitchen until her tears went dry... until her shoulders stopped shaking, until she was empty enough to breathe again.
When she finally stepped out of the kitchen, Liana's mother was emerging from the bedroom. Ethilia quickly wiped her face and forced a small smile.
"Aunty… umm, uncle just left. He said he had an important meeting and asked me to tell you, so you wouldn't worry."
Liana's mother nodded, but her sharp eyes caught the redness around Ethilia's eyes. She placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. "Alright. So, what were you doing now?"
Ethilia smiled sweetly, but a hidden sadness lingered, which couldn't escape a mother's eye. "I was just making coffee for myself. Then Dad... uh, uncle came, and I handed him a cup."
Liana's mother gave a faint, knowing smile and squeezed her shoulder. "It's okay. 'Dad' sounds better than 'uncle.'"
Ethilia's eyes lit up with a fragile warmth as she nodded. "Okay..."
"Why don't you check on Liana?" the older woman suggested, glancing toward the stairs. "She should be up by now."
Ethilia nodded and started up the stairs. Char was coming down at the same time, grinning as she brushed past her. "So?" Char teased, nudging her arm. "Going to your wifey?"
Ethilia's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat, but before she could respond, Char giggled and disappeared down. Liana's mother and Char walked to the kitchen to get breakfast.
Ethilia stood there for a while and then walked to Liana's door, but her mind was filled with questions.
"How long would she have to stay here? What would happen once everyone recovered? Where was Alex, and was he even planning anything? And above all… what was she feeling? Was it right… or terribly wrong?"
Her thoughts broke when she heard a sound coming from the other side of the door. It was a sound of something falling on the carpet.
she knocked on the door, "Liana?"
She waited for a few seconds, but no answer came. So, she
knocked again, louder this time. "Liana, are you listening to me?"
But when no sound came, panic crept through her, and she knocked again.
"I'm coming in, Liana.." She warned and opened the door slowly.
As she stepped inside, a loud gasp left her lips. "Liana!"
She ran to the side of the bed and kneeled, "Liana," she half-shouted, seeing Liana's body on the floor.
She pressed her palm on her forehead, "God, you're burning up…"
She tried to lift Liana and put her on the bed, but her strength wasn't enough. Her own injured hand made it difficult.
Gritting her teeth, she pulled Liana's head onto her lap and turned toward the door, voice trembling as she shouted, "Aunty! Char! Come here.. Liana has fainted."
Her heart pounded wildly as she looked back at Liana. She patted her cheeks softly, panic breaking through her voice.
"Liana… can you hear me?" she whispered, her throat tight and hands shaking uncontrollably.
She didn't even know why it hurt this much, why her chest felt so heavy. All she knew was that seeing Liana like this filled her with a restless ache she couldn't explain.
Char and Liana's mother rushed into the room. Liana's mother's eyes widened. "How did this even happen?" she asked, hurrying to help.
Together, she and Char lifted Liana onto the bed while Ethilia supported her from behind.
Ethilia sat beside Liana, rubbing Liana's cold hand with trembling fingers. "I don't know, Aunty… when I came in, she was already like this." Her voice cracked mid-sentence.
Char quickly ran off to call the doctor, while Liana's mother stood frozen for a moment. The way Ethilia was desperately trying to wake Liana... Her shaky hands, the panic in her voice, reminded her of herself.
It was the same kind of fear she felt whenever her husband or daughter fell sick. Somehow, that realization sent a strange warmth through her chest.
Her daughter had someone who cared for her… maybe even loved her as deeply as she did.
Char returned and stood behind Ethilia, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "The doctor said she's on the way."
Ethilia nodded, her shoulders already trembling from silent tears. Her mind raced as she suddenly got up, but Liana's mother caught her by the shoulder. "Where are you going?"
Ethilia whispered hoarsely, "Water and a towel. Maybe wiping her body will help."
Char nodded quickly. "You stay with Liana; she needs you. I'll get it." With that, she rushed to the bathroom while Liana's mother guided Ethilia to sit back on the bed.
Ethilia looked up at the older woman with wet cheeks. Liana's mother cupped her cheek softly and wiped away her tears. "Don't cry, dear… she faints, she gets a high fever."
Ethilia lowered her gaze and sniffled. Liana's mother gave a faint smile and stood up. "I'll go make something light. She'll need food when she wakes up."
Ethilia nodded quietly and watched as the older lady walked away. Then she turned back to Liana, gently taking her hand again. Her fingers brushed through Liana's hair,
"I warned you not to eat so much ice cream… but who listens to me, huh?" Her voice trembled with fear and concern.
She never realized that, in these few months, Liana had become such an important part of her life.
But now, seeing her lying on the bed with closed eyes and skin pale, the fear that rushed through her made it clear. This wasn't just concern anymore.
The feeling she had tried to hide, tried to ignore since the day she saw Liana for the first time...
Back in school, playing basketball and laughing like she owned the court... the way her heart had skipped every beat until Liana turned into her bully….
All those feelings came rushing back stronger than ever... And this time, it wasn't something she could actually hide or push away.
This time, it had no limit, and she knew she wouldn't fight these feelings anymore.
When Liana could fight… when Liana wasn't ashamed to reach for her back then, why should she be afraid of what society thinks now?