I took a bath, planning to meet William Spencer tomorrow, fresh and clean.
As I lay in bed, every time I closed my eyes, memories of past torment flooded my mind.
But this time, I didn't have nightmares.
Because my nightmares had already been ended.
The next morning, I set off for the villa.
It had already entered winter, and light snow began to fall, covering everything in white.
I stepped on the thin layer of snow, leaving footprints one by one.
When I reached the gate, I paused.
William Spencer was still sitting there. The difference was that an umbrella had been set up above him, shielding him from the falling snowflakes.
I didn't know how long he had been waiting.
I didn't know if he had been waiting there every day.
But suddenly, my steps felt heavier.
The sound of my boots crunching in the snow wasn't small, but this time, he didn't reach out for me like he used to.
He didn't even seem to notice me when I was right in front of him.
"William Spencer?"
He didn't respond.
"William Spencer!" I raised my voice.
He stubbornly kept his gaze fixed on the street corner, even though he couldn't see anything.
At that moment, the housekeeper came out from inside and explained, "Little girl, he can't hear you. You need to tap him."
The housekeeper gently patted William Spencer's shoulder, and his blank face revealed a smile. "Take care."
The housekeeper added, "He sits here every day. I don't know who he's waiting for."
"No one looks after him?"
"No. Actually, at first, he could hear. But his hearing gradually faded. He told me that when the food is ready, I should tap his shoulder, and he'll know. He'd go eat by himself, but every time I come, the food hasn't been touched much."
Yes, he had lost weight, and his clothes barely fit him anymore.
The housekeeper left.
I crouched down in front of William Spencer, wanting to touch him but unsure if I should.
"William Spencer, what should I do so that you..."
So that you could get better.
Suddenly, William Spencer sighed, reached for his cane, and slowly stood up.
As he used the cane, it brushed against me.
William Spencer froze, then sat back down, reaching around. He touched my clothes, and the snowflakes on my fabric melted under his fingers.
He followed my clothes upward.
I took his hand in mine, tears blurring my vision.
But he smiled gently, his voice warm as ever, "Lana, you're here. Your hands are so cold."
He gently rubbed my hands, then cupped them in his, blowing warm air onto them, his smile still there.
"Let's go. Let's eat."
He pulled me along as we walked inside, chatting endlessly along the way.
"I know you must have cried, but I can't hear your voice. I'm sorry I couldn't wipe your tears right away.
Actually, other than being blind and deaf, I'm doing well. You came to find me, so everything must be settled, just as I expected.
It's getting cold, so wear more. Your hands are too cold. Don't forget you're still sick and can't overdo it."
He scolded me like an old mother, reminding me to eat well and sleep properly.
All day, I quietly listened to him talk, as though he was trying to say everything he had left unsaid for the rest of our lives.
In the evening, he told me to rest and reminded me to sleep well.
At the end, he suddenly asked, "When I wasn't by your side, did you have nightmares and wake up scared?"
He touched my face, and I nodded.
He looked at me with sorrow, "Sorry, it's my..."
I raised my hand to silence him.
He didn't need to apologize.
I pulled William Spencer to the master bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and said, "You should sleep too."
I didn't move, just scooted a little closer to him.
"Mm?"
I quickly went to the bathroom to change and then climbed into his bed.
I felt the bed dip next to me, and William Spencer spoke in confusion, "Lana, what are you doing?"
He hesitated, "You want... to sleep with me?"
I moved closer, resting my chin on his shoulder, then nudged him and pulled him onto the bed.
William Spencer smiled bitterly. "Even though I can't see or hear now, I'm still a normal man, Lana... you..."
I pressed my finger to his lips again.
Pulling him down, I patted his chest, signaling him to sleep.
William Spencer closed his eyes and stopped speaking.
But his ears turned so red, it was almost like they were bleeding.
I snuggled closer into his arms, closing my eyes peacefully.
