ManyWriters

In the year I lost both my parents, my mother's closest friend, who I affectionately called Auntie, welcomed me into her home.
She nurtured me with great care and affection, offering support and a depth of love I had never experienced before.
As a young lad experiencing his first crush, I secretly promised myself that I would wed my aunt when I became an adult.
Yet, during my coming-of-age celebration, when I finally mustered the courage to express my feelings for her, she reacted with anger!
She considered my affection a breach of moral standards, violating ethical and social norms.
From that point forward, she became increasingly aloof and distant. She even consented to an arranged marriage with the Lombart Family, effectively crushing any hope I had harbored.
Devastated, I abandoned my aspirations. I embarked on a freight vessel destined for far-off lands, resolved to leave everything behind.
Nevertheless, Auntie wept uncontrollably and pleaded with me to face her once more.

Aunt's Forbidden Love

I regained consciousness in a hospital bed. Next to me was a stern-looking, middle-aged man chewing gum - it was Harry.


"Harry," I said weakly. "What happened?"


Harry lifted his hand as if to tap my forehead but then let out a heavy sigh and lowered it. "I'm the one who rescued you," he explained. "Have you gathered your belongings for the journey?"


I gave a slight nod. There wasn't much to take - just a few clothes before I could leave this place behind.


"I don't need to ask who's responsible," Harry said gravely. "It must be that guy from the Lombart Family. He did something to you, didn't he?"


"President Morris always favored you in the past. She'd fight fiercely over the smallest disagreement for your sake. She turned down numerous lucrative offers just for you."


"But now... how did it come to this?" He exhaled deeply.


Harry's words triggered vivid memories of the pool incident. Instead of answering, I asked, "Where... where's Auntie?"


After a brief pause, he gestured towards the door.


I slowly got out of bed and made my way to the doorway. Peering through the gap, I could see into the room across the hall.


Auntie was seated by the bedside, holding a bowl of porridge. She carefully cooled each spoonful before feeding it to him, the man from the Lombart Family.


As if on cue, that man noticed me. With a smirk, he put his arm around Auntie's waist and gave me a victorious, taunting wink.


There was a time when Auntie never left my side in a hospital. Even the tiniest injury would make her worry, tending to my wounds and comforting me.


But now? She knew about my inability to swim, my claustrophobia, and how close I came to dying, yet she chose to care for him first.


A sad smile crossed my face. Yet, beneath the surface, the hurt began to fade, replaced by an odd, tranquil feeling. The inner turmoil subsided, allowing me to look at them without flinching.


Finally, Auntie saw me. Her expression hardened as she rose to close the door in my face.


"Auntie," I said gently, "regardless of what happened, I just want to tell you that tomorrow, on your birthday, I'll be at home waiting for you. Please consider it my final request. Will you grant me this?"


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