Many patients of the hospital also came to bask in the sun. Spark stared at them absent-mindedly.
When a couple went by, laughing and talking intimately, he instinctively turned to stare at them until the
couple disappeared from his sight.
For Manny, it was unbearable to see Spark this way. But he had no other options. Manny had done
everything he could think of to help Spark. He scolded him and persuaded him. But the musician
refused to listen. The only way to treat anxiety was to confront or covet the very thing or person
causing the patient's depressed state. But at this point, it wasn't likely for Spark's condition to be
treated because he could never have the person he desired.
From a nurse, Harrow learned that Spark had gone to the hospital garden. After finishing his business
with Emp, he went out to look for him. Harrow stood a long time at the corner of the path watching
Spark chase after intimate couples with his eyes. All of a sudden, Harrow felt a sharp, stabbing pain.
After taking a deep breath to ease the pain, he approached Spark and Manny. He handed the
insulation barrel containing the tonic diet to Manny, who glanced at Spark. Sadly, he shook his head in
resignation before reaching for the insulation barrel in Harrow's hand. Spark pretended not to see
Harrow. Two days ago, he felt disgusted after seeing Harrow. Now, he felt better even seeing him, or
maybe he no longer cared about the person at all.
If Spark chose to behave like the living dead through his future to escape his past, Manny would rather
have the violinist ponder about his past with hatred and resentment the rest of his life and live, not just
exist.
"Molly's been away for several days," Harrow spoke in a low voice. The mention of Molly's name only
rubbed salt on Spark's injury. Harrow chose to ignore Spark's sudden shaking and continued, "Has she
ever expressed concern for you after she left the last time?" There was no reaction. "Has she ever said
even a single word to you?"
Spark gave Harrow a wicked look. He was red-cheeked with fury. But the rage didn't last. He controlled
himself and turned to look at the pedestrians while vowing to turn a blind eye to Spark.
"You let her go, yet you still can't control yourself," he accused. Now flustered and exasperated, Harrow
declared, "You look forward to her visit every day, or you want to visit her yourself. You wait for her to
call or text her all the time. But what do you have to show for it now? No one except Mark visits you on
weekends. Molly never comes. She and Brian are busy keeping each other company. You do know
they were legally married in QY Island, don't you? The wedding ceremony happened yesterday!"
Squinting to keep tears from pooling, Spark suddenly laughed like a fool. Hoarsely, he admitted, "Yes, I
am upset! Are you happy now?"
The pain reflected in Harrow's eyes was excruciating. How could he be happy knowing his own brother
was so desperate? How dare Spark speak that way! If Spark had not been his brother, Harrow would
punch him in the face then throw him to feed to the wolves.
But he said nothing, only roared in his head! He had to bear Spark because he was his brother.
Suddenly, Spark yelled in pain, "You have never loved, and you know nothing about love!" Spark had
no idea how unfounded his words were. "Disappointment can sometimes be a form of happiness.
You're disappointed when you have expectations not satisfied. Then you expect it more even after you
get disappointed. Even as it hurts, you can enjoy the feeling. Many people will not understand what
you're feeling, that mixture of pain and happiness. I love Molly. I don't know whether I will love her
forever or not, but right this minute, I know that I love her very much. It doesn't matter if I hurt myself
doing so, I will keep on loving her."
His declaration worried Manny and Harrow, who didn't know what they should do about Spark. Should
they praise him for his passion for Molly that was beyond reason? Or should they give him a severe
beating for his silly love? Manny knew very little about Molly, while Harrow was fairly certain that Molly
would never break up with Brian. Many people thought the love between Molly and Brian was short-
lived. But Harrow knew, for a fact, that nothing or no one was appealing enough to separate the two!
The soft breeze brought the warmth of the sunshine, but all three men felt cold in their hearts.
Eric focused on the three men ahead of him. He had heart Spark's words. Immediately, the sneer on
his face vanished gradually. He loved Molly, too. And it seems as if everyone in love with Molly was
suffering from great pain, and this included his brother, Brian. Love could be excruciating, yet, a great
many persons were willing to fall in love with great expectations even knowing how things would
eventually end up. There were lucky guys who would be loved by the person they loved, making them
feel as if they had gone to heaven. But there will also be unfortunate ones who would refuse love and
will suffer a lot as if they had gone to hell!
"Why are you here, Mr. Eric Long?" Harrow asked. He had seen Eric and didn't hesitate ask the
question.
"I am only here to visit a friend. I would like to say hello to you when I see you." Eric sauntered towards
Spark, and sized him up from head to toe. He then said, "I heard you had a cold and fever. Why are
you still sick after such a long time? Our great musician cannot afford to be sick!" he sneered. Eric felt
bitter. "No matter what happens, those who stop, and are full of remorse, they still don't deserve our
sympathy." The people present frowned at his words. His tone still frosty, Eric said, "Spark, I won't
torture myself if I were you, and would have no intention of quitting. At least, I will show my best and be
well-prepared to take in Molly in case she breaks up with Brian any time." "So, what do you think?" he
asked, Everyone was stunned, and stared at Eric with several thoughts in their heads.
While Spark looked absent-minded, what he was really doing was seriously thinking about Eric's last
words.
Manny didn't understand what Eric meant. It appeared as though he was scolding Spark. At the same
time, it also seemed as though Eric was stimulating Spark, by pushing him in the pit.
Harrow was extremely concerned about Spark. He knew a lot about Mr. Eric Long and his brother, Mr.
Brian Long, including their love for Molly. In his opinion, Eric might take advantage of Spark by
persuading him to separate Brian and Molly, for his own interest.
Staring into Spark's eyes, Eric turned to walk away, leaving Spark, Manny, and Harrow behind, each
one lost in their thoughts. Eric stalked coolly and didn't look back at the three until Lenny drove off and
the hospital disappeared from sight.
Eric was so jealous when Little Molly asked him to take care of Spark. If there were none of the so-
called political constraints four years ago, Eric could've accompanied Little Molly. But would it have
made any difference? Would she have treated Eric better than others?
'Spark, I hope you will be better soon, not only to help assuage the guilt Molly feels for you, but also for
your own health. After all, you're being cared for by the person you love, right?
Me? I have nothing!'
As the car sped through the streets, Eric tilted his head to the left and watched things and people
outside the vehicle retreating rapidly, as grief flashed in his eyes.
He sniffled. 'Little Molly, I will work hard and try to become a man as powerful as my brother Brian.
When you get hurt and seek a safe harbor, I hope I will be the first man you think of.
I will be grateful, even if you only need a substitute for Brian!'
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