Julian’s Stand-In Wife

Sue had always gone out of her way to hug Cecilia. Cecilia used to think that as long as she had her mother’s embrace, she would have boundless strength.

But since she got sick and started losing control of herself- especially when her illness was at its worst-her mother had rarely hugged her.

Now, being embraced by her mother again, that warmth seemed to return.

Perhaps she was overthinking things. Cecilia lowered her gaze. She was just about to apologize to Sue for hiding the fact that she searched for Noel in secret when she heard Sue say, “That’s in the past. Don’t bring it up again. You’re a good and perfect child. How could you have gotten that illness?”

Sue pouted, and continued, “Plus, your engagement with Julian isn’t something just anyone can have.”

The tone and emphasis were familiar, but Cecilia found them strangely foreign. Her mother…wanted to pretend that nothing had happened and erase her illness, rather than fully accepting her.

Cecilia’s throat tightened as if there were something stuck in there. She couldn’t utter a single word.

now, he still hadn’t shown any intention of acknowledging that he

her or talk to

thought, Diana got up, left the private room, and left the restaurant

apart, with

outside, he gently pushed aside the curtain and looked out. The dishes on the table remained untouched, and there was no

She had already left.

He immediately stepped out from

“Diana! Diana?!”

but there was no response. He asked the waiter if they had seen anyone leave this private

she left about

time for Diana to reach the subway station from

phone, about to call her. He needed to explain things to her, and hoped she wouldn’t be