Chapter 5

I went to the hospital for a pain injection. I couldn't even swallow pain pills anymore.

Then I went directly to Selena’s hospital. I simply walked into her room and sat down.

She immediately became incredibly agitated, ripping out her IV, blood gushing everywhere, and screamed at me, "Avery, what do you want? Can't you just leave me alone?"

I said nothing, just quietly peeled an orange. After finally finishing, I realized I couldn't eat it anyway.

I was already on a liquid diet.

There were so many things I wanted to taste, but I couldn't even do that.

I held out the orange to her. "Want some? It should be sweet." I wished I could taste it, even if it was sour.

Selena's agitation only intensified. She swatted the orange from my hand, sobbing uncontrollably.

My mom stormed in, carrying a takeout bag – a meal for Selena. The dishes looked eerily familiar, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.

She raised her hand and slapped me across the face. "What did Selena do to you? Why do you keep hounding her?"

My nose started bleeding, a steady stream. I just looked at the blood on the floor, saying nothing, then stood and walked out of the room.

My mom chased after me, wanting to say something.

Finally, she grabbed my arm. "Avery, what's wrong? Are you getting sick? Why have you lost so much weight lately?"

"What's it to you?"

"I'm your mother!" she snapped.

"Oh, really? I don't believe you," I said, a smile breaking through my tears. My tears came too.

But she cried even louder than me. "I'm your mom, what do you want me to do? Can't you try to understand me, too?"

"I named you Avery – 'knowing intent' – you used to be so understanding, so considerate when you were little. What happened to you now?"

I couldn't listen anymore. Perhaps it was from eating so little, but my head was spinning. I fled the hospital like a ghost.

But as long as Liam didn't sign the divorce papers, I would keep coming back here.

Let's just torment each other.