Chapter 111 A Plot And A Purpose

Nancy wouldn't come to Ethan for no reason.

Even after all this time, he still held a torch for her. These flames he held closely, untouched and unsullied by time and distance. Under the dark cloak of night, his embers burned brighter in ardent longing, singeing his flesh until his body was charred from the inside.

On nights such as this, Ethan felt as if no one else understood what anguish truly meant.

The darkness would pass on—the silent spectator that looked on without any offering of reprieve. When sunlight flooded his eyes, it was once again the hour to gather his remains and assemble whatever fragments he could salvage.

The days went by as such. Ethan trudged forward in this limbo, no longer knowing the difference between living and death.

His every breath was a condemnation.

"My father's birthday is coming tomorrow. He wants to see you. Would you come?" Nancy asked tentatively, her round eyes peering up at Ethan in uncertainty.

If not for Clark, she wouldn't have come to disturb Ethan.

It was time. Ethan had held off the inevitable long enough. One decisive cut was better than the pain of slow incisions. She hoped that Ethan

t in, "Sister, I bought father a suit, but I'm not sure how it looks. Would you mind checking to see if it fits him?"

Nancy nodded in agreement. "Alright. Doris, you can go ahead. I'll follow you soon."

"Okay." Doris went upstairs steadying herself on the railings as her steps wobbled.

Clark had also begun to feel drowsy. Fannie asked Jill to take him into another room to rest.

"Mr. Ye, what about you?" Fannie asked Ethan.

"I'm heading back." Now that the birthday party was over, there was no longer any reason for Ethan to stay here.

But as he stood up, his head started to feel heavy. He placed a hand on his forehead to soothe the uncomfortable feeling.

"Would you like a driver? I can send someone for you," Fannie offered.

"No, thanks. I'll just call a taxi." Ethan felt as if he was stepping on cotton. The room started to swirl and his movements grew sluggish.

He couldn't drive like this.

"Be careful then," Fannie said as she bid him goodbye.

"Thank you." He grabbed his coat and walked out, but his next steps grew more and more unsteady from the last.

He struggled to perceive his surroundings as the images grew blurry.