SILENT CRY

"Nael! I told you not to hit her!" A middle-aged woman's voice rang out as she rushed forward, pushing her husband aside and pulling Jolly into the apartment.

still fuming from the confrontation, let out a sharp breath, clearly irritated by his wife and daughter standing before him.

"Ang who are you?" Leah, the mom, asked the unfamiliar young man.

"I'm Aiden, the medical assistant taking care of Miss Hadrien. I was just escorting her home," he explained.

"Ah, I see. Thank you so much, and sorry for the trouble. You can go now," Leah replied, gently taking Jolly's bag from him. Without waiting for a response, she shut the door, leaving Aiden frozen in place, struggling to make sense of what had just happened.

Inside, Leah led Jolly down the hallway, throwing a glance at her husband but said nothing.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly as they entered Jolly's bedroom. The girl only gave a slight shake of her head.

"I bought your favorite food. Let's eat together."

"I've already eaten," she murmured.

"Okay then just get some rest. You'll get better soon," her mom said softly. Jolly only gave a small nod again.

Once she'd tucked her daughter in and made sure she was comfortable, Leah stepped out of the room ~ only to be greeted by the bitter expression of her husband, who was slouched on the living room sofa.

"Just keep spoiling her," he sneered, but Leah ignored the jab.

"Who knows what she'll pull next? Maybe jump out the window."

"Can you stop?!" Leah snapped, barely containing the fury in her voice.

"She's just getting more stubborn by the day, always looking for attention. Hurting herself like that, does she think it's cool? What is she trying to prove?"

"Jolly's sleeping. I don't want to disturb her, so don't start anything," Leah said curtly, grabbing a glass of water before retreating back into her daughter's room

Nael, clearly fuming, slammed the TV remote on the table and stormed out of the apartment. The door slammed so hard, the sound echoed into Jolly's room.

Leah sighed deeply, her exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. Yet somewhere in that silence, she felt a small sense of relief ~ at least, the tension had left the room for now.

She looked at her sleeping daughter, and without realizing it, tears slid down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

People say life a spinning wheel ~ sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. But for me, it's always down.

Always filled with pain and silent suffering I can't begin to put into words.If I had known this is what life would be like, I would've wished to never be born at all.

********

When you smile, someone smiles with you ~ and some wish they could erase it off your face.

When joy finds you and happiness fills your days, there are those who share in it and those who wait for you to fall.

When success finally comes, some will cheer and some will quietly stab you in the back.

And sometimes, just existing is enough. Enough for someone to be thankful you're here, and enough for someone else to hate you for no reason at all.

"Hey, Jolly! It's been a long time since I saw you at the club. Glad you finally showed up," Luisa called out.

Kiara rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by their senior's overly chipper tone.

"Yeah, Luisa. I finally managed to come back."

"Are you sure you're okay now?" Luisa asked, a note of concern in her voice.

Jolly nodded lightly. "I'm alright."

Luisa smiled brightly. "Good to hear that. I was really worried when I heard you were hospitalized again."

"Thanks, Luisa. I'm feeling much better now," Jolly replied, her voice polite but distant.

"Oh, and... I heard you're getting engaged?"

"Huh?"

"To someone from the Leighton family, right?"

"So dad's business partner is named Leighton..." Jolly thought. She hadn't even bothered to ask who her fiancé was supposed to be. She wasn't in the mood to face her dad, let alone talk about marriage.

She cleared her throat. "Where'd you hear that?"

"From my dad, obviously…"

Jolly gave a small nod. That made sense. Luisa came from a family of businesspeople, just like hers.

"I can't wait to attend," Luisa beamed. "My sweet little sister getting married!"

Kiara, who had been silent the whole time, stared at Luisa in irritation. "Were you even invited?"

"Of course. My family works closely with both the Leightons and the Hadriens," Luisa replied, clearly pleased with herself.

"So you'll be coming with your boyfriend?" Kiara asked, voice laced with sarcasm.

"Ah..." Luisa's smile faltered. "Trent and I broke up."

Both Jolly and Kiara blinked in surprise.

"Wait... what happened?" Jolly asked.

"I don't know... maybe just got bored?" Luisa said nonchalantly.

Kiara swore that one day she'd rip that girl apart. "How can you say something like that so easily?"

"Why not? People get bored, don't they?"

"But that kind of boredom isn't the same as getting tired of a favorite thing."

Luisa shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "To me, it is. Anyway, I'm going to the toilet."

Kiara clenched her fists, barely holding in her temper. "What an idiot."

"Let it go, Kiara," Jolly said gently.

"How can you stay so calm after she stole Trent from you?!"

Jolly gave a gentle smile and shook her head. "I don't care about them anymore."

"You're way too nice, Jolly! You still treat that sneaky girl with respect after everything she did to you."

"We were never dating. Trent and I were just friends."

Kiara let out a frustrated sigh. "This is what I can't stand about you, Jolly ~ you're too kind for your own good."

"You can't fool me. I know you liked him, right?"

"…"

"And that girl went after him anyway, even though she knew you had feelings for him."

"It's fine. If Trent chose to be with Luisa, then it means he was never serious about me in the first place."

"They're both suck! They deserve each other," Kiara snapped.

"Let them be. You're only making things harder for yourself by holding on to all that anger."

Kiara huffed. How could someone be as maddeningly kind as her best friend?She'd only been watching from the sidelines, but even now the memory still burned.And honestly she still hate both of them, equally.

*******

"Hey Aiden, you're back?" Rainier looked up as his assistant stepped into the hospital lobby.

Aiden gave a small nod, his silence raising Rainier's eyebrows. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Aiden replied quickly.

"Really? I've noticed you haven't been as focused at work lately," Mai chimed in.

"Are you sick?" Rainier asked again.

"No, I'm good, really." Aiden answered.

"If something's bothering you, you can talk to us. Don't keep it to yourself," Brenner, the head doctor who had just joined, added.

"I appreciate it, Doctor. I'm alright," Aiden decided not to mention the unsettling events from the past few days that had been occupying his thoughts.

"Doctor Brenner!" A cheerful voice called out, interrupted their conversation.

"Oh, Jeanne! Why didn't you wait in my office?" Brenner turned to the girl in the wheelchair being calmly pushed by a nurse.

"I just got here and saw you, so I thought I'd come here instead of waiting alone in the office. It's boring," the girl replied.

"Well then, let's head in," he chuckled. "I'll leave you three for now," he added with a nod to the others.

As they left, Aiden's curiosity got the better of him. "Who is she? She seems close to Dr. Brenner."

"Her name's Jeanne. She's a special patient directly under Dr. Brenner's care. Hmm, I think this is her fifth year now," Rainier explained.

"Fifth year?" Aiden was surprised. "What's wrong with her?"

"An accident," Rainier answered. "Her leg was diagnosed with permanent damage, but Dr. Brenner has been doing everything he can to help her walk again."

"Even in such difficult circumstances, she was abandoned by those around her. But that didn't make her give up. The girl's incredibly strong and determined to recover. I'm glad she met Dr. Brenner," he continued.

"Abandoned by those around her? What do you mean?" Aiden asked, curious.

"Jeanne's completely on her own," Rainier explained. "She doesn't have any family, and dropped out of school after the accident. She was still a student back then, working part-time to get by. Dr. Brenner was the first one to help her and he's been looking after her ever since."

"Where does she live now?" Aiden asked.

"In a small flat near Dr. Brenner's house. He actually offered her a room at his place, but she refused. Said she didn't want to be a burden."

"Huh. That's admirable," Aiden muttered.

"But Dr. Brenner didn't mind at all. In fact, he even offered again. In the end, she agreed to stay in one of the apartments owned by Dr. Brenner's wife's family."

Aiden was quiet for a moment before replying, "Dr. Brenner really is remarkable. It's not easy to take on that kind of responsibility for someone else's life."

Rainier nodded. "Yeah, he's one of a kind. Sometimes I wonder how someone can be that kind, like he's not even human. And when I asked why he went that far for Jeanne, he said it's because he wants her to keep smiling."

Aiden blinked at that,, as if the words struck a familiar chord. Wanting someone to smile… sounded simple, but it wasn't. That exact feeling had been nagging at him lately, every time he thought of Jolly.

"Alright, enough chit-chat, you two," Mai interrupted, breaking up the small circle. "Get back to work, we've got real patients, remember?"

********

The professor had just stepped out, leaving the lab that was still cloaked in heavy curtains. The rest of the students in white coats were still tidying up after their afternoon practical session, returning equipment to its proper place.

Jolly walked carefully, balancing a rack full of test tubes. Kiara followed close behind, carrying her own set.

"Are you heading home after this?" Kiara asked while folding her lab coat neatly.

"Maybe I'll stop by a café for a bit first. Why?"

"Sorry, I've got to run. My mom's out today, grandma's sick, so no one's home."

"Then go ahead, I'll be fine."

"How am I supposed to feel calm about that? Remember what happened last time? You scared me half to death."

Jolly gave a faint smile. "Sorry… but I really mean it this time, this time. I'll text you as soon as I get home."

"Huh, this feels like déjà vu."

"Trust me. Just this once more."

"…Alright. But don't forget. If you do, I swear I'll break into your apartment again."

"Yeah, yeah. See you."

"Take care, okay?"

"You too."

Jolly parted ways with the only friend she had, waving Kiara goodbye before heading off on foot. The sunset painted the sky in warm shades of orange and gold, and she let herself slow down to take it in. But her steps didn't match what she'd told Kiara ~ her route veered into a narrow alley, away from the main street.

"I'll take a pack of Benzodiazepine and Ramelteon, please," Jolly said at the counter.

"Do you have a prescription, miss?" the cashier asked politely.

Jolly nodded and handed over a slightly wrinkled slip of paper. The cashier glanced at it quickly, then nodded. "Please wait a moment."

While waiting, Jolly casually browsed the small pharmacy. Her gaze wandered over the rows of medications displayed in a glass case.

"Here you go, miss," the cashier returned, handing over a paper bag.

"Also… I'd like one of those," she said, pointing to a different medication on the shelf.

"Of course."

She paid and slipped the bag into her tote, hurrying out just as the automatic doors closed behind her.

"Miss Hadrien?"

The voice made her stop. Jolly turned and spotted someone familiar ~ someone she didn't expect to see. "Dr. Aiden…"

"What brings you here?" he asked, looking a little surprised.

"Oh, uhm… I was just heading home from campus," she lied quickly, hoping he hadn't seen which store she'd come out of.

"I see… and you're out alone?"

"Yes. What about you?"

"Same. It's been a while, how have you been?"

"I'm alright, doctor."

"I'm glad to hear that, Miss Hadrien." Aiden replied warmly.

"No need for formalities, really. Just call me Jolly. I think we're not that far apart in age." She said, offering a friendly smile.

"You're right, dropping the titles might be more comfortable," he said softly. "I'm 24, and you're… 21, right?"

"Yeah. How did you know?" Jolly tilted her head. 

"Ah..." Aiden chuckled nervously. "From your patient records at the hospital."

Jolly nodded, understanding.

"Well, in that case, feel free to just call me Aiden," he said.

"Alright, Aiden," she replied, teasing a little. "Sounds good."

"Uhm... weren't you supposed to be working?" she asked, noticing he wasn't in his usual medical attire.

"I am, actually. I just came by to check the pharmacy stock," he answered.

"Sounds like a hassle, running back and forth like that."

"It's not too bad," he said with a shrug. "Being stuck inside the hospital all morning was boring, so I'm treating this as a little break."

Jolly nodded again, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"Oh, by the way, there's something I wanted to ask you," Aiden said, his tone turning a bit more serious.

"What is it?"

"About that day..." Aiden hesitated, but then pushed on. "Your parents... they didn't hurt you, did they?"

"..."

"Sorry if I'm overstepping. I'm just... worried about you. If you don't want to answer, that's totally fine."

"They are my parents, after all."

"..."

"My dad was the one who slapped me that day. My mom tried to stop him. I'm sorry if he startled you."

"You didn't do anything wrong, so no need to apologize But if you don't mind me asking... what happened? Why did your dad..."

"It's always been this way." Jolly interrupted, lower her head, staring at the tips of their shoes. 

"My dad has always hated me. So has my brother, he's the one who caused that scene at the hospital. My mom... well, she used to care, I think, but lately, she's changed. She doesn't hurt me, but it feels like I don't matter to her anymore."

"..."

Jolly whispered, mostly to herself, "Sometimes I wish I didn't have to go through any of this…"

"Hm?"

She shook her head quickly. "Ah sorry, I should head home right now. I just remembered I've got an assignment due tomorrow." Jolly quickly changed the subject. "Forget what I just said, okay? I'll go now. See you.

"Wait..." Aiden stopped her, gently reaching for her arm. "Can I have your number?"

She frowned slightly. "Why?"

"Well... we're friends now, right? And if anything ever happens, you can reach out. You don't have to go through things alone."

"..."

"I just want to be your friend. To know you better. Is that okay?"

She stared for a moment, uncertain, but eventually nodded. "Alright."

Aiden held out his phone, and she keyed in her number. A quiet exchange ~ simple, but somehow significant. Jolly didn't know why it was so easy to give in to this man she'd only met a handful of times.

********

Jolly considered it a small victory when she opened the apartment door and saw no sign of Mark. Quiet. Peaceful. She figured he must've crashed at a friend's place again. For once, she could relax.

After a warm shower, she curled up on the bed with a warm drink, her hair still damp and her skin fresh against the sheets. She tapped out a quick text to Kiara, letting her know she'd made it home safely, then turned her attention to the movie playing on laptop.

Halfway through the film, her phone buzzed.

From: Unknown Number +33XX-XXXX-XXXX

Hi Jolly, it's me, Aiden. Don't forget to save my number.

She blinked at the message. For a second, she debated whether to reply. Her thumb hovered over the screen before saved the number in silence. She never really saved anyone's number. Kiara had been the only one for so long. Then out of nowhere, this guy. Polite, too curious, a little too kind and she had just… let him in.

"What am I doing?" Almost laughing at herself.

The movie faded into background noise. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the faint scars on her arm, the ones that had long stopped hurting but never quite disappeared. Like echoes. Like reminders.

Some things stayed, even after they healed.

Everyone knew I was born weak. I got sick easily, and my health constantly declined. When I was a kid, I spent more time in hospitals than at home, mostly for fevers or allergic reactions. No matter how many treatments or how much effort we put in, nothing changed. At some point, I just accepted it. Maybe this was simply my fate.

My dad resented me for that. He couldn't understand why I wasn't like other kids, why I couldn't be fixed. My mom… she tried, stayed by my side, always taking care of me, even if it meant ignoring everything else. But after a while, I think she gave up too at least emotionally.

So all the pressure landed on Mark.

He became the one who had to carry all of dad's ambition. And I guess… that's where his hatred for me began.

He used to call me a burden. Said I brought bad luck just by existing. 

Living with him made things worse. He'd hit me if I didn't do what he asked~ clean his room, cook for him, stay out of the way. But if I did too much, he'd still get angry, say I was messing with his things. There was no winning. Just trying to survive the day without setting him off.

Eventually, the stress made me sick again. Another hospital trip. More medical bills, and then dad found out about my grades dropping. That day… he lost it. His voice, his hands ~ everything blurred. He slapped me, screaming that I was worthless, that all I ever did was waste their time and money. Once, when I tried to defend myself, he grabbed me by the collar and slammed my head against the wall.

I stopped talking after that.

I kept everything to myself. Every bruise and insult. Every night I cried quietly in bed hoping no one would hear. It built up inside me ~ anger, fear, guilt, pain. Until it became too heavy to carry.

One night, I punched the wall until my knuckles bled.

Oddly enough... it helped. The pain grounded me. Watching the blood drip down my hand felt like something real, something I could control. I just didn't know what else to do and don't want to hurt anyone else.

Kiara once told me I was too soft. Maybe? But I just don't want to make things worse. If I fight back or speak up, I know what comes next and I'm not ready for that.

So I stay quiet, cope the only way I know how.

As she sat alone in the silence, Jolly reached into her pencil case, pulling out the small folding blade she kept hidden. She lifted her sleeve, found a spot on her arm no one would see, and pressed the blade gently across her skin. Just enough to sting. Just enough to breathe.

Warm blood rose to the surface, but she didn't flinch. Her eyes fluttered closed as she exhaled slowly.

And for a moment, the weight in her chest felt lighter.

********

A plain black protective-cased phone vibrated, signaling an incoming call. "Who could it be now, always interrupting?" thought the young man as he continued typing on his tablet.

"What's up?" he said curtly, immediately accepting the call.

"Why are you so short with me? Can't you at least greet me first?" a voice on the other end of the line asked.

"I don't have time for pleasantries. Now, what do you want? I've still got work to do."

"Well... I just wanted to meet you, do you have some time?"

"If you want to say something, just say it."

"We haven't seen each other since you went to Florida..."

"I don't have time for a casual meet-up."

"How arrogant. Is it because you're getting married now?"

"Say whatever you want."

"You've always been this stubborn. Fine, I'll tell you about your fiancée..."

"..."

"Did you know she has some serious issues?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"She self-harms for attention. She's trapped so many men already. I can't even count how many exes she has. Are you sure you want to marry her?"

"My parents have already arranged everything with her family, and I don't think she's what you're making her out to be."

"I'm not lying. I know Jolly Hadrien, the troublemaker."

"What are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean? I care about your family. That's why, before you get married, you should have your parents cancel the engagement."

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm ending this call."

"Wait a..."

Click. The young man hung up the phone abruptly, tossing it aside before returning to the task that had been interrupted.

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*** To Be Continue ***