Maggie, upon hearing Alla's plea for forgiveness, refrained from further comment. She turned her body to draw water, leaving him unattended. Keyon remained at the doorway, his gaze fixated on the frail silhouette resting on the sickbed, a mist gradually filling his eyes.
Stabilizing his trembling form, clenching his fists, he advanced with heavy steps towards the sickbed. The unseen Alla, sensing someone's approach, assumed it was Maggie returning and reached out to grasp her clothing.
"Maggie..." she whispered.
Before her hand found its mark, it was seized by a firm, slender hand. The hand that held her was trembling minutely, as if it held a thousand unspoken words that it could not voice, and could only hold her tightly.
Alla discerned the hand as belonging to a man. The cold, resolute, and handsome face of Casiano surfaced in her mind, but she dismissed the possibility. She attempted a call, "Ricky..."
