Chap 14

14.

"I apologize, Uncle. Mario was rude to you," Clara whispered, holding back her sobs. Occasionally, she takes a breath, covering her mouth and nose with the back of her hand to muffle her cries.

Joe sits at the edge of Clara's bed, attentively observing her. There's a sense of unease in his heart, especially after hearing Mario's story earlier. Joe truly had no idea he hurt Clara's feelings. He thought Clara wouldn't be hurt after he rejected her.

"Is what Mario said true?" Joe asks. Slowly, he reaches for Clara's hand, examining the wet and reddened brown eyes. The girl does look thinner than before.

Clara doesn't dare to answer. She bites her lower lip, trying to contain the pain in her heart. Joe rejecting her has deeply hurt her.

"Did I hurt you, or are you sad because I rejected your love?" Joe asks again, equally fragile in the current situation.

Clara remains silent, not daring to respond. Her lips were tightly sealed. Fortunately, her tears have stopped flowing.

"I apologiz