Chapter 158: Awakening in Emptiness

"Frel, you’re awake, dear?"

That voice belonged to Mr. Aditya. I could only remain silent and still.

"Frel, it’s Dad. Why are you just silent? Speak, Frel." His trembling hand touched the part of my body wrapped in white cloth, with clear panic in his voice. "Look at Dad, Frel. Please, give me just one sign that you can hear me," he begged in a broken voice.

"Kenn, Frel has been silent and hasn’t spoken since earlier. What is actually happening?"

"Be patient, dear, calm down. Maybe Frel just needs time to gather her consciousness again," Mrs. Viona said.

"How can I stay calm? I can’t possibly be patient seeing my child in such a worrying condition!" Mr. Aditya replied in a raised voice.

"Yes, Sir, please wait a moment." That was Kenn’s voice.

I recognized his intonation. I only caught sight of him when he stood right in front of my face.

"Frel? Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

Seeing that I showed no reaction at all, Kenn hurried to move to the other side of the bed. He pressed something beside my bed, probably the medical call button.

A few minutes later, several men wearing white coats, doctors and nurses, came over. The doctor immediately carried out a thorough examination of my condition.

"What is wrong with my child, Doctor? Why hasn’t she reacted since waking up?"

After checking my pupils and several other parts of my body, the doctor let out a long sigh.

"Physical wounds can be treated, but emotional wounds are another matter. Your daughter seems to have lost her spirit to live. Talk to her often, give her entertainment, and stimulate her psychological responses. If you allow me, I suggest that every problem be discussed properly, because I believe there is a deep cause behind her attempt to end her life. Give her full affection so that she can find her reason to hold on again. I hope your daughter will recover soon."

"Alright, Doctor. Thank you very much." Mr. Aditya’s voice sounded full of resignation.

"You’re welcome. Throughout the day, we will continue to monitor her progress. If there is still no improvement, tomorrow we will be forced to carry out a series of tests to determine her condition more specifically."

Even though I was able to absorb every word of their conversation, my tongue felt stiff, unable to utter a single word. My mind was still locked on that tragic event.

The image of Grandpa and Grandma’s sad faces was etched very clearly in my memory. How they had kept their distance from me even though I stood right in front of them. The scene of the light engulfing them continued to haunt me, making me feel as if I had lost my footing once again.

"Why didn’t anyone tell me even a single truth? Why did you hide that Frel is my granddaughter?" The voice sounded familiar it was Kevan’s grandmother’s voice. "Aditya, Viona, answer me!"

"Mother, when did you come back? Weren’t you still undergoing treatment in Singapore?" Mr. Aditya asked in a surprised tone.

"I just landed and came straight here after hearing the news about Frel’s condition. About Frel’s status, Kevan, and everything. How could my granddaughter end up trying to take her own life? Did you not take care of her at all, huh?" Grandma’s voice sounded extremely furious.

"Yesterday, too many secrets were revealed. I’m sure Frel was deeply shaken, especially with the passing of her grandparents on the same day. I failed to protect her, Mom. She hates me." Mr. Aditya let out a heavy sigh. "Frel didn’t even allow me to come near her."

"Oh God, from the very beginning I already believed there was something that bound me to her. I felt that Frel was not a stranger. So this is the answer," Grandma sobbed softly. "And now, why is she like this? Why does her gaze look empty, Aditya?"

"Since waking up, Frel has remained silent without speaking or moving. She hasn’t shown any reaction at all. It’s as if her body is here, but her soul has gone." Mr. Aditya’s voice grew weaker.

"The doctor suggested that we keep talking to her to stimulate her psychological response. I’m afraid yesterday’s incident has disturbed her mental stability," he continued.

Does Mr. Aditya really care about me? Is there truly still a tiny bit of concern for me?

"This is my fault. All of this is my fault. If only I had approved your relationship in the past without looking at economic status, this tragedy would never have happened," Grandma confessed full of regret.

"My poor granddaughter, forgive Grandma for only finding out now. Wake up, dear. Don’t punish yourself, you are not at fault. I am the one who is wrong for separating your mother from Aditya. I deeply regret it. Forgive me, Frel."

Hearing that lament, I no longer knew what to say. My heart felt numb, and my logic could no longer function properly.

I didn’t know who to blame. Was it Claretta, who had the heart to abandon me? Mr. Aditya, who was still in contact with Claretta even though he was already married? Or Grandma, who had deliberately separated them in the past?

Then, was Claretta’s accusation true that Mrs. Viona had taken Mr. Aditya away from her?

Fact after fact was revealed one after another. I didn’t even know how I should respond.

"Wake up, Frel. You have to recover soon. We haven’t even had the chance to spend time together as grandmother and granddaughter. If your grandfather were still here, he would surely be very proud to have a granddaughter as beautiful as you. Come on, dear, I beg you, wake up."

Grandma sobbed while repeatedly shaking my body. "Don’t leave Grandma in this guilt, Frel!"

"Enough, Mom. We have to speak to Frel gently. Poor her, Frel has already been shaken enough by the events that have happened lately. You could make her even more pressured." Slowly, Grandma’s hand loosened at my side. "Come on, Mom, let’s go to the cafeteria for a while. You need to calm down first."

"But what about Frel’s condition? I don’t want to leave her alone."

"Excuse me for interrupting for a moment. In my opinion, what Mr. Aditya said is right. Let Frel rest for a while so her condition can recover. Sooner or later, she will return to us. I’m sure of it," Kenn said in a confident tone.

"She’s strong, she just needs time to come to terms with reality. Let me walk you out. For now, it’s better if Frel is looked after by Mrs. Viona," he continued.

"I hope so too, Kenn. May Frel recover soon. Come on, Mom, let’s step outside for a moment."

After the sound of the door closing, the room instantly became silent. I blinked slowly. I could only stare at the ceiling and the wall in front of me, unable to move my head or hands.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Viona sitting on the sofa with a blank stare.

"What should I do now?" she murmured softly, still audible to me.

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