Sherilyn instinctively reached out to steady the woman. However, the impact was too strong, causing both of them to fall to the ground. Sherilyn even served as a cushion, taking the brunt of the impact.
“I’m so sorry…” the woman stammered as she tried to scramble to her feet. Sherilyn waved off the apology, but before she could say anything, Galen had returned. He lifted the woman as easily as if she were a feather, his focus immediately on Sherilyn. “Sis, are you okay?”
“I’m fine…” Sherilyn replied, shaking her head as she got up. Her palm was scraped, stinging sharply, with tiny beads of blood appearing. Galen’s anger flared instantly as he glared at the woman. “Watch where you’re going! You ran right into her!” His sister had a condition; she couldn’t afford to be injured.
“Ah!” The woman, frightened, raised her arms to protect her head, trembling as she muttered, “I’m so sorry…”
“What good does sorry do? If my sister was-“
“Let it go!” Sherilyn interjected, seeing the woman shaking in fear. “It’s just a small scrape…”
The crowd around them was swelling, people pushing closer.
“Let me go…” the woman suddenly struggled, “Let me go!”
“You hurt someone and think you can just leave?” Galen refused to let go.
Sherilyn frowned, realizing those people were likely after the woman. “Galen, let her go!”
“Sis?”
“Quickly!” The pursuers could discover them at any moment.
“Oh…” Reluctantly, Galen released her. The woman paused, looked up at Sherilyn with a grateful smile, “Thank you…”
Then she turned and darted into the crowd.
“Where did she go?”
“She definitely ran this way!”
“Spread out and search!”
Watching the woman disappear into the distance Sherilyn silently hoped she wouldn’t be caught. They were strangers, she didn’t know her story. Yet, the woman’s desperate escape reminded her of that year in Crestwood…
“Sis.” Galen grabbed Sherilyn’s wrist, his concern evident. “You’re bleeding a lot! Let’s see a doctor!”
“It’s not that serious.” Sherilyn
Live
chuckled, pulling her hand back. It’s just a scrape. A tissue will do until it heals on its own. By the time we see a doctor, it’ll be fine.”
“You’re joking at a time like this?” Galen frowned in frustration, almost stomping his foot. “What’s with you? Your blood is precious!”
Sherilyn realized then that Galen didn’t know about Jenna. Biting her lip, she looked up at him. “Actually, I’m not the one who’s sick. The one with the condition isn’t me.” “Huh?” Galen froze, confused. “Sis, what do you mean?”
If she wasn’t sick, then what was all the fuss about?
“Let me show you a picture.” Sherilyn pulled out her phone and opened the gallery never had much hope for a successful match, so I didn’t tell you
have a daughter. She’s the
one who’s sick.”
She handed the phone to Galen, showing him her daughter’s picture. “Here, this is my daughter… Jenna.”
“Let me see…” Galen, still a bit dazed, took the phone and looked at the photo, torn between happiness and sorrow. “She’s so beautiful, so adorable.”
His niece was adorable, which should make him happy, but the fact that this adorable niece had a condition complicated his feelings. “Her name is…?” “Jenna.”
“Jenna, Jenna!” Galen repeated softly. “She looks a bit like me.”
Indeed, there was a resemblance between Jenna and her uncle. A hint of moisture appeared in Galen’s eyes as he spoke with difficulty, “Sis, I’m sorry.”