68: The Long Wait

In the washrooms, Alicia stared at her pale complexion in the mirror, tracing her puffy eyes. They looked bleak… lifeless even. How could fate be so cruel? She wondered. Her Theo had done nothing to deserve the kind of misfortune which befell him. For a split second, she blamed herself for not stopping him when he decided to head out briefly. Knowing Theo, he would have done her will. Perhaps then Rowan could still be alive and she and Theo could be home having the time of their lives with their kids.

Hilda, who had entered but decided to watch from the entrance, couldn't take it anymore. Anyone could have deciphered that Alicia was loathing herself for some reason, from how tightly she was clutching at her own chin. “Alicia,” Hilda called, stepping closer. Alicia didn't turn. But she gazed at her mother-in-law through the mirror. Her lips began to wobble, and before the first tear could fall, Hilda was by her side. “Shhh…” Hilda stood behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. “Yo