Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 181

Willow couldn't hear anything anymore.

Her world had fallen completely silent.

But Julian didn't know that.

The snow in Padstow had finally stopped.

Heather gently cupped Willow's face, her voice choked with sobs. "I'll take you back to Brindley for treatment! They have the best doctors there. We'll definitely find a way to cure this."

Willow tried to comfort her. "Mom, I'm fine."

The words were simple, but because she couldn't hear, her voice came out slightly distorted.

Heather almost broke down right then and there, but she held it together. As a mother, she had to be strong for moments like this.

That very day, Timothy and Heather brought Willow back to Brindley.

Timothy had already made arrangements with top-notch specialists to consult on Willow's condition.

They couldn't afford to waste any time. As long as there was the slightest chance, they wouldn't give up.

At 2:00 pm, the Chapman family's black car entered the hospital.

Ahead of them, a small crowd had gathered, causing a commotion. There was even the faint sound of a woman crying.

Willow couldn't hear any of it. She only saw the driver stop the car and get out to disperse the crowd. When the people finally moved aside, she caught sight of two familiar figures…

It was Julian and Alicia.

Alicia's face was streaked with tears as she stood barefoot, with blood on her hospital gown.

She looked like she had just tried to kill herself.

Julian held her tightly in his arms, his face twisted in pain, as though he was suppressing some powerful emotions. Perhaps he was fighting back his emotions, after all, she was his childhood sweetheart.

Willow just stared at them quietly. Her world was still, impossibly quiet.

The autumn leaves from the maple trees were falling, but she couldn't hear the sound of the falling leaves anymore.

Willow couldn't help but think back to the year before. It was the same situation, but it was Catherine back then.

Now, it was his childhood sweetheart—Alicia.

Alicia leaned weakly against Julian's shoulder, crying her heart out. Julian hesitated for a moment, but still gently patted her shoulder. Willow couldn't tell what he just said.

She didn't want to watch anymore.

She reached out and pressed the button, the car window slowly rising.

Just then, Julian looked up and saw her. He froze for a moment before pushing Alicia away. He quickly ran toward Willow.

He knocked on the car window, desperate to explain..

Willow couldn't hear him. She merely stared at his anxious face, gently tracing his features with her fingertips through the window. Then, she put on a faint smile.

Julian continued slapping the car window. "Stop the car! Willow, let me explain!"

Willow simply smiled at him. Watching his lips move, she could guess what he was saying, but she couldn't hear a word.

The lock of hair fell to the ground…

Willow spoke, but her voice was distorted.

"When I was born, I only had Mom, so my upbringing was lonely. I never knew I had a father named Charlie Burke, who loved and raised two daughters, Catherine and Alicia.

"He didn't have a daughter named Willow. When Mom was sick, and I was homeless on the streets, where were you?

"When I almost starved to death, picking up bottles with Grandma, where were you? How dare you say that I share the same father with Alicia?

"How dare you acknowledge me as your daughter? I have never had any relationship with you! Now, I'm cutting off a lock of my hair as a ritual.

"I'm returning everything I owe you. From now on, we'll go our separate ways. Stop calling me your daughter, and stop saying you're my father.

"You make me sick. Your whole family disgusts me! As for you, Julian, I have nothing to say."

Her voice was strange, but it was still comprehensible.

Heather cried uncontrollably, wishing she could rip Charlie into shreds.

The color on Julian's face gradually faded..

What happened to Willow?

What happened to his Willow?

Why was she speaking differently than usual? What was going on?