Augustine felt a pang in his heart as he watched her cry. He understood how difficult life had been for her. From a young age, she had endured immense hardship.
His own eyes grew misty, and though he longed to comfort her, to promise that he would always protect her, the words wouldn't come.
His throat tightened. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
Anne leaned against him. "I always thought that as long as Papa was here, I could endure everything. I could ignore the pain and keep smiling for him. But now, seeing him like this… And with my mother's resentment toward me only growing, I don't know how to go on."
"Shh…" he whispered, gently wiping away her tears and tilting her chin up. "Don't go back there, no matter what they say. It's not safe."
Anne nodded slightly. Ever since her father had fallen into a coma, she had started distancing herself. Now, it was time to cut ties completely.
"I just want Papa to wake up soon," she murmured.
