Chapter 27
Aamon froze. The mention of his son was like a sudden, sharp blow. He hadn’t wanted to remember that painful day, a day he desperately wished he could erase from his memory. Thinking of his son always caused a deep, aching pain in his heart. He quickly masked the raw emotion in his eyes, replacing it with a gentle, if slightly strained, smile.
"Why?" Aamon asked, his voice soft.
"Can I go see him when I’m discharged? I’m on sick leave anyway, right?" Angela asked, her voice hopeful.
"Of course you can, my princess," Aamon said, his smile becoming more genuine as he focused on her request.
Angela leaned her head against her father’s shoulder, her mind drifting back to the chaotic events of earlier that day. The gallery... the Rogue... and a voice...
Her calm demeanor immediately vanished, her face twisting into a scowl. Even while she was fighting for her life, she could hear that girl’s voice clearly, the words cutting through the adrenaline and fear. She knew she would never forget what that girl had said to her.
She’s just being a baby. I’m sure her older brother will come to console her.
"Dad... Do you kno-" Angela cut herself off abruptly.
She stopped herself, forcing her racing thoughts to a halt. She needed to calm down. She didn’t want her father to get worked up over something like this, especially when it involved her brother. She knew mentioning him would bring back the pain her father had worked so hard to suppress.
"Hmmm? What’s that?" Her father’s voice, laced with curiosity, pulled her back to the present. He was staring at her questioningly.
"...I forgot about what to say. Hehe," Angela said, forcing a lighthearted chuckle, though it felt hollow.