“You may leave now.” Toby massaged his forehead.
Toby was still looking pale, much to Tom’s worry, so Tom stood there and refused to leave. “Are you
really alright, sir? Should I take you to the hospital? Dr. Lancaster said you can get discharged, but you
have to rest. You went against his advice and came back to work immediately. That’s going to take a
toll on your heart, so—”
“It’s fine. I know what I’m doing,” Toby sipped some water and interrupted him. “I’ll go to the hospital if I
can’t hold on anymore.”
“Very well then. I’ll be going now. Call me if anything happens.” Tom sighed and took two steps back
before turning around to leave.
After Tom left, Toby put his glass down and took a bottle of pills from his drawer. He uncapped it and
popped two pills into his mouth before swallowing them dry.
Once he did so, Toby screwed the cap shut and fiddled with the bottle, looking at it mockingly. The pills
were specifically made to keep his heart condition under control. He had taken it for more than twenty
years previously, and just when he thought he was free of them, he was once again forced to take them
after six years.
But Toby regretted nothing. He’d still jump down the cliff for Sonia if he had to make the same decision
again. Toby heaved a sigh and tossed the bottle back into the drawer. He then closed it and went back
to work on the documents.
A hospital staff member called Toby that afternoon to get him to come over for a checkup.
Toby postponed the less important plans in the afternoon and left with Tom.
They came to the company’s car park, but before they got to the car, Toby suddenly stopped and
stared ahead in disbelief.
Tom had no idea what was going on. When Toby stopped, he stopped as well. “What is it, sir?” he
asked.
“Sonia’s here.” Toby looked at the woman who was standing beside his car.
Tom quickly stuck his head out from behind Toby to look at the car, and he saw Sonia there. “It is her.
But why is she here?” Tom was curious.
Toby squinted, but he walked ahead without saying anything.
When Sonia heard the sound of footsteps, she looked up from her phone to see who it was. After
seeing Toby and Tom coming over, she straightened her back and turned to face Toby. “Hello, Mr.
Fuller.”
“What do you want?” Toby looked at her, his expression inscrutable.
Sonia frowned. He’s still as cold as he was two days ago. “I’m here for an answer.” She looked at him.
Toby pursed his lips. “What answer?” He looked at her curiously.
Sonia said, “Why did you stop me from taking care of you? I need to know the reason, Mr. Fuller.”
She didn’t care why he gave up on her, nor did she want to know why. However, she just couldn’t
understand why he refused to let her take care of him. It made her feel like she did something to annoy
him, so he didn’t want her near him anymore.
And his refusal made it impossible for her to repay his kindness. Tom might have said she didn’t have
to do it, but she didn’t take the advice. That’d go against her creed and turn her into nothing but
someone who only knew how to take but not give. She’d never allow herself to become that kind of
woman.
She was the kind of person who’d repay anyone who helped her, or it would never sit right with her, not
to mention she’d lose sleep over it.
Toby’s eyes glinted when he heard the question. He never thought Sonia would want to know the
answer to that matter, and she even came to see him personally for this. If she had gone to the
receptionist instead of waiting at his car, she would have missed the chance to see him. “No reason,”
Toby answered calmly and tried to go past her.
Sonia opened her arms and stopped him. “No reason? Do you think I’d believe that, Mr. Fuller?” No
reason is the biggest reason. He wanted me to take care of him, but then he said no the next day. That
was too abrupt a change. Nobody would believe he was refusing me for no reason.
“What do you want then?” Toby frowned impatiently.
Sonia felt uneasy seeing him looking so impatient, and she pursed her lips. “I just want to know the
reason, then I’ll keep taking care of you until you get better. You know I’m trying to repay your kindness,
so—”
“Tom should have told you I don’t need that kind of help,” Toby interrupted her calmly.
Tom adjusted his glasses and went up. “I did tell her that.”
“Yes, but I refuse to accept that. You saved me, so I have to repay your kindness. You might not need
it, but that’s my creed.” She looked into his eyes seriously. If she actually didn’t repay anyone’s
kindness just because they told her so, nobody would help nor befriend her anymore.
Toby never thought Sonia would be so stubborn, so he sighed quietly. “Fine, since you insist, you may
do that, but do it in another way. I don’t need your care. It makes me uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable?” Sonia was surprised. “Which part?” Is it about more intimate care? But his legs are
fine, so he doesn’t need my help going to the bathroom or taking a shower. There shouldn’t be any
problem with that.
Sonia was still trying to figure the answer out, but Toby put his hands into his pockets and clenched his
fists. “Every single part,” he said coolly. “You’re a lousy caretaker—so unprofessional and careless. I’d
rather hire a caretaker than have you around. Is that reason good enough?”
Sonia’s jaw dropped, and she was at a loss for words. Her face was beet red, obviously because she
was embarrassed.
She knew she didn’t take good care of him since she wasn’t a professional, nor did she have any
experience in taking care of a patient. Naturally, she’d make a lot of mistakes while she took care of
him. She just never thought he’d be so straightforward about it.
Sonia took a deep breath and held her annoyance in as she calmed herself down, then she looked at
Toby. “I understand, Mr. Fuller. I won’t take care of you anymore. I’m sorry if you suffered under my
care.” She bowed at him.
Toby held back the urge to pull her up and just looked at her silently.
Sonia stood up. “You are right. It is normal for you to refuse my care, since I was careless all the time.
I’ll try to repay your kindness in some other way.”
“Suit yourself.” Toby looked at the floor. “But I don’t want to see you, so if you want to repay my
kindness, do it at a place where I can’t see you.”
Sonia was stunned, and her heart ached for some reason. She bit her lip and agreed, but she sounded
sad and angry. “Very well then.”
Since you don’t want to see me, that’s what you’ll get. I don’t want to see you either. She turned around
as she didn’t even want to look at him anymore.
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