Chapter 7 Growing Misunderstanding

After discovering the truth hidden in the photo album, my heart was filled with countless questions. I tried to recall the events of that day in detail, but the images from the past were too blurry to piece the story together completely.

All I knew was that I was involved in that boy's accident, and Phupha was also present. That might be the reason he hated me so much, and not just because of our past.

The next morning, I woke up feeling uneasy. I went down to the dining room and found Phupha already seated, as usual. I tried to act as normal as possible, but my gaze couldn't help but steal glances at him frequently.

He was quietly reading the newspaper, his sharp features as cold and distant as ever, which kept me from daring to ask anything.

"Today, I have to go check on a construction site out of town," Phupha broke the silence. "I might be back late."

I nodded absently, my thoughts still revolving around the photo album from last night.

When Phupha left for work, I spent time in the library again, trying to find something that could answer the questions in my mind. I opened the same photo album, turning to the boy's picture repeatedly.

'Who exactly is he... and what exactly happened that day?' I tried to recall. The image of the boy crying for help still haunted me.

I remembered he seemed sickly, and it appeared Phupha was very attached to him... so much so that he would do anything to get revenge on whoever caused that boy pain.

The growing sense of guilt in my heart became almost unbearable. I didn't know what to do next. Should I ask Phupha directly and risk provoking his anger and vengeance, or should I keep this truth to myself forever?

As I was lost in thought, my phone rang. It was the hospital.

"Ms. Linin, Mr. Thana's condition has worsened again," the nurse's voice on the other end was filled with worry. "The doctor is examining him now."

My heart sank to my ankles. 'Father!'

I immediately rushed out of the mansion, not caring if there was a car or anyone to drive me. I hailed taxi after taxi until I got into one and headed to the hospital urgently.

Tears streamed down my face the whole way. I prayed for my father's safety, hoping I would reach the hospital in time.

When I arrived at my father's recovery room, I saw the doctor talking to the nurse with a solemn expression.

"Doctor, how is my father!?" I asked, my voice trembling, so anxious I could barely control myself.

"Mr. Thana's condition deteriorated slightly, but it's stable now," the doctor replied. "It's likely a side effect from the initial surgery. We need to monitor his condition closely."

I let out a huge sigh of relief, but anxiety still gnawed at me. My father's declining condition only made me try even harder to preserve his life.

I sat by my father's bedside until late evening. Physical and mental exhaustion washed over me, but I still had to be strong—for my father, for my son, and for the life I was currently facing.

When I returned to the mansion late at night, I saw the light still on in Phupha's study. I walked past the room quietly, not wanting to disturb him.

I went up to my bedroom, took off my clothes, and collapsed onto the bed. Exhaustion quickly pulled me into sleep, though even in my dreams, the image of the boy in the photo and Phupha's cold eyes still haunted me.

My misunderstanding of Phupha continued to grow. I didn't know what he was truly thinking, and I didn't know how this one-year contract would end.