Chapter 172: Two Letters and the Way Home

“Abel, Frel has just recovered, so let me carry you again.” Kenn stepped closer and took Abel into his arms.

Kenn’s gaze pierced into mine with great tenderness. He then stroked the top of my head.

“I know you’re still sad, but what you need to remember is that we all care about you. Dara, Tomi, and me. We all miss you, especially Abel,” he said. “Abel needs you, Frel. He has no one else besides you.”

Kenn pulled the corners of his lips and looked at me intently. “You have to go back to being like before. Frel who is spirited, cheerful, and confident. For Abel’s sake, and for mine.”

There were no words I could say except to silently look at him and absorb every word he said.

Kenn was right. It was time for me to rise again for Abel, for everyone who loves me, and of course, for Kenn.

Abel cheered happily. “Hooray! From now on, Frel and Kenn will always take care of Abel. Reno up there must be happy to see that someone is taking care of Abel. Hooray!” Abel shouted while clapping his hands.

Kenn and I could only laugh at his behavior. “Look, Kenn, he’s so enthusiastic,” I whispered softly.

Kenn nodded slightly. “He knows he won’t be alone anymore.” Kenn held my fingers. “There are already many people waiting outside. Come on, it’s time to go home.”

Kenn led me outside. But suddenly....

“Frel!” As soon as the door opened, Dara rushed forward and hugged me tightly. “I’m happy you’re finally free.”

“Free? Do you think I just got out of prison?” I glared, pretending to be angry. “Oh my God, Dara, this hug could send me back to the hospital,” I complained with a small laugh.

Dara chuckled and apologized. “Sorry, I was just too excited to see you again!”

After that, she introduced me to a small child named Dito. He was Ari’s younger brother, two years older than Abel.

“Dito, come on, greet Frel politely,” Dara instructed the child.

Actually, Dara had often told stories about Dito. Maybe I had never told you who Dito really was, but what’s clear is that this child was one of the biggest difficulties that often stressed Dara out.

“Hello, Frel,” Dito greeted in a tone that sounded condescending.

He was very mischievous and had sharp words. Dara was often provoked by his behavior.

“Hello too, Dito,” I replied with a sweet smile.

Based on Dara’s stories, Dito was the biggest obstacle that had always thwarted her secret plans whenever she wanted to get close to Ari.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Want me to tell Ari if you flirt with me?” Dito blurted out, immediately making Dara’s face turn red as if she wanted to pounce on him.

By this point, you should understand why I had never once brought up their story. The point is, their relationship is quite complicated. It looks more like two people who are enemies than siblings. I hope you understand what I mean.

It turned out that many people came to welcome me. There were Dara, Ari, Dito, Alvin, Udin, Maya, Adam, and several other classmates.

“Get well completely soon, Frel! The class feels empty without you,” Udin shouted from a distance.

Tomi had indeed informed us from the beginning that he would be coming late. Mr. Aditya, Mrs. Viona, and Grandma were also there. However, I did not see Kevan.

During my time in the hospital, I had never once met or heard any news about Kevan.

How is he now? Is he doing well? Is he still suffering because of the reality that we are related by blood? Does he hate me now?

“Where is he?” I thought sadly.

I lowered my head, trying to hide my disappointment. Forgive me, Kevan.

Sometimes I hallucinated that someone was secretly watching me from behind the glass. But every time I turned around, that figure disappeared without a trace. I had hoped it was Kevan, but wasn’t that impossible?

“Was that him just now?” I murmured almost inaudibly.

“Your brother didn’t come, dear.” It was Mr. Aditya’s voice. “Don’t look for him for now.”

He then gently touched my shoulder. “There is a letter entrusted to me from Kevan and your mother. Dad asks you to forgive Kevan. Until now, he still hasn’t been able to meet you in person, Frel.”

I immediately looked up and stared at Mr. Aditya.

“And about your mother, the night after you asked her to leave, she came to see me. There are many things you still don’t know about her. She is not at fault, Frel.” A heavy tone was heard in Mr. Aditya’s sigh. “Dad doesn’t know what to say. If only time could be turned back, maybe Dad would do everything possible to help her.”

“Sorry, Sir,” Kenn cut in. He stepped forward to protect my position. “Frel has just been discharged from the hospital. Wouldn’t it be better to discuss this matter another time?”

“Yes, I know, Kenn.” A second later, Mr. Aditya rubbed his face roughly. “I’m just afraid everything will be too late.”

I became even more confused by the direction of Mr. Aditya’s words, but I chose to remain silent.

Not long after, Mr. Aditya looked at me again with an anxious gaze. “Actually, Reno is not Claretta’s biological child, Frel.”

Those words made Kenn spontaneously take Abel away, while I remained standing stiffly with a shaken expression.

“Only you and Abel are her biological children. More clearly, you can read this letter from your mother yourself, dear. Dad has no right to tell you everything.”

Although I was hesitant at first, I gathered the courage to take the two letters from Mr. Aditya’s hand. “Thank you, Sir.” My words caught in my throat, holding back tears that were about to burst. “I will read them later,” I said softly.

“I know this hurts you, dear.” I felt Mr. Aditya pull me into his embrace. “Forgive Dad. It’s just that right now your mother is very fragile. You need each other. Read them. Dad hopes you will understand your mother’s condition after knowing everything.”

“May I go home now?” I asked without responding to Mr. Aditya’s words. “I need time to process all of this.”

After receiving Mr. Aditya’s permission and hugging Mrs. Viona and Grandma, I sincerely thanked everyone who had welcomed me home.

“Thank you for coming, everyone. I’m sorry I can’t chat for long,” I said goodbye to my friends.

I saw Kenn walking from the end of the corridor while holding Abel’s hand. Abel was happily enjoying his ice cream. Kenn looked at me and smiled meaningfully, as if to reassure me that everything would be fine.

Without waiting long, I ran toward Kenn.

“Are you done talking? Come on, the car is ready,” Kenn invited gently. I felt a little relieved.

I grabbed his arm and hugged him tightly. “Thank you for everything, Kenn. Come on, let’s go home together.” I showed the sweetest smile I had.

I believed that as long as I still had Kenn and Abel, I would be fine.

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