"Alexander… don't you want me anymore?" Her voice trembled. "I'm really scared. I had a nightmare—I was trapped in that dark room again. It was pitch black. I screamed until my throat hurt, but no one came. They hit me… they shouted at me, and…"
Lilian's frantic voice came through the phone.
"Lilian, if you're scared, you should see a therapist."
"I just want you to be with me…"
"Lilian, are you asking me to choose between you and Nana?"
"…I didn't mean that."
"Even if you didn't, I need to be clear—between you and Nana, I will choose her. Do you understand?"
"…I understand. I won't be scared anymore. I'll see a doctor, like you said."
"Good."
After ending the call, I quickly got dressed. "I'm going to check on Nana. You should get some more sleep," I said, deliberately breaking Alicia's pretense.
"Mm… okay," she murmured, her eyes still closed.
I left the room and headed to Nana's ward, only to find Nadia already there.
"I thought you'd gone back," I said.
