Chapter 207: Chapter 205: Misunderstandings Are Born in Silence
AM.
South City.
The plaza at the airport was desolate, almost devoid of any pedestrians, yet tonight’s full moon shone exceptionally bright, lighting up the square even without street lights.
"Rest well once we’re in the car. Do you want some water?"
"No need~" Elliana Lyle felt a bit dizzy, leaning entirely against Joy Lyle’s chest. Hannah Collins was right, noodles truly needed to be chewed slowly; the sensation of spitting them out felt like it took half her life away.
She has always been unable to handle anything at heights, even swinging on a swing would make her vomit, though swinging slowly posed no issue.
"Have a little, it’ll help." Joy Lyle, as always, was gentle, showing utmost care. Even though she was in low spirits now, she still made an effort to care for her only sister.
"Okay."
Elliana’s voice was weak, her stomach felt empty, and her mouth bitter, no amount of rinsing with mineral water helped.
However, just as she finished speaking, a scream pierced through the quiet night sky!
"Ah―――!"
They all looked towards the sound and found that Tiana Harris had fallen down the moving staircase to their far left!
Tiana’s still-rolling body reflected in Elliana’s widened pupils, and the sight instantly sobered her a bit; her heart sank, and she hurried to the bottom of the stairs.
"Tiana! Tiana, are you okay?" Elliana was about to help but feared she might hurt Tiana further by moving her.
So she withdrew her hand, looking at Tiana with a worried face, waiting for Tiana to say how she was.
However, the others were also sensible enough not to help immediately, knowing the danger of falling down such a high staircase could be no small matter.
"I’m okay." Seeing everyone surrounding her, Tiana struggled slightly to sit up halfway.
She felt a bit disappointed, as she had fallen, yet no one offered to help her up.
She then stood up on her own, seemingly fine, but taking a step caused her to gasp in pain.
Elliana immediately knew what was wrong, supporting Tiana’s hand while saying, "Did you sprain your ankle? Does it hurt badly? Let’s get you to the hospital for a check-up first."
"I’m fine, just twisted it a bit. It’s nothing." Tiana managed to walk with some effort, glancing at Phoebe Lyle’s expressionless face, she quickly added, "Really, I’m fine, Elliana, you don’t need to worry about me."
In fact, if observed closely, Phoebe’s eyes did show care despite her expressionless face, but Tiana didn’t notice.
"Are you really okay?" Elliana was still concerned, staring skeptically at Tiana.
Helpless, Tiana had no choice but to endure the pain, walk two steps, and smiled, "Really, I’m fine."
Seeing this, Elliana reluctantly nodded, "Alright then, we’ll part ways here. There are plenty of taxis at the airport."
Before Tiana could finish agreeing, her phone rang. Opening it, she saw the name Bella.
Why would Bella call her so late at night?
Upon answering, she heard Bella’s slightly panicked voice, "Someone is smashing the dorm’s anti-theft door and broke it open. The security is off duty, and it’s not mine being smashed but yours, a man and a woman, both roughly in their forties. Can’t your security measures be enhanced?"
"What? Then call the police now!"
At that moment, Tiana’s phone also rang. Seeing it was her mom calling, even though she didn’t want to answer, she habitually pressed accept.
"You ungrateful brat, where the hell are you? Out doing God knows what in the middle of the night? You filthy spawn..."
The usual barrage of curses came through the phone.
"Mom? Where are you?" Tiana was a bit surprised, instinctively glanced around.
Clearly, all around were street lights and flower beds. Behind was the airport terminal, and beneath her feet was an empty plaza. She didn’t see the figure she didn’t want to see.
"Get your ass back here right now, or else..." Her father’s voice across the line trailed off as Tiana directly hung up.
She didn’t want to listen at all.
After hanging up, Elliana said to her, "Tiana, Bella said there’s a man and a woman smashing your dorm door, and Bella has already called the police."
"..." Only then did she realize her parents were there smashing her door. Usually, the security would stop them, but today being a weekend must have given them the chance.
She didn’t tell Elliana that the door smashers were her parents, as she felt it was embarrassing in front of so many people.
So she said, "Elliana, you guys go ahead, I’ll wait for the morning subway."
At this moment, Phoebe spoke up, "Let’s go together. It’s not safe for you alone. Where are you headed? See if it’s on the way."
"Saferain County, White Pond Village."
Saferain County is located at the far west of South City, at its boundary, much further than Lindon Hill, where the Lyle’s old mansion is located.
Going to the bus station would mean spending a night, surely a very remote place.
However, it was conveniently on the way.
Two cars were parked in the airport’s parking lot, entrusted to specialists for maintenance, one belonging to Joy Lyle and the other to Hannah Collins.
As Tiana prepared to get into the car Elliana was in, Joy slipped in first to take care of Elliana.
Thinking it over, Tiana decided to sit in the front passenger seat beside Hannah, not wanting to sit in a car driven by Phoebe, as Phoebe’s presence somewhat oppressed her.
"Get in."
But just as she hesitated, Phoebe had already opened the passenger door for her.
Phoebe’s cold voice stiffened her all over; slowly, she turned around. Phoebe’s indifferent expression made her hair stand on end, clearly she couldn’t refuse.
She had to gather her courage and get in.
Throughout the journey, Phoebe didn’t say a word, and Tiana sat there rigidly, not even daring to take out her phone.
"If you’re tired, take a nap." Phoebe suddenly spoke.
"Huh? Oh~ okay... okay."
For a moment, Tiana was a bit on edge, quickly resting her head against the seatback, with her side towards the window.
Meanwhile,
Joy was still telling a story.
"Finally, the carrot rabbit returned home..."
After finishing the story, she realized Elliana, lying in her arms, had already fallen asleep. Stroking that slightly round face, it was clearly warm. Under the light, that little face must be flushed.
The person in her arms slept peacefully, providing a sliver of comfort in her heart, although followed closely by sorrow.
"Elliana~ I’m so sad..." She whispered softly into the ear of the person in her arms, head lowered.
The voice was faint, no one could hear, not even Hannah, who was driving.
Then, a single cold tear fell onto the warm face of the person in her arms, causing the sleeping Elliana to shiver slightly.
Joy quickly reached out, gently patting her sister’s back just like she used to when they were kids.
Yet, Elliana wasn’t truly asleep. She could clearly feel that drop of tear, hear that whisper.
But she couldn’t do anything, she just needed to quietly lie in Joy’s arms, understanding that Joy would never admit sadness or cry in front of her.
Since childhood, she never even had the chance to comfort Joy, not because Joy was never wronged or sad, but because Joy always softly smiled at her, letting anyone detect nothing unusual.
Even if she knew about things, Joy would never admit them, only smiling to comfort her not to overthink.