Unbreak My Heart

Remorsefully, Claire said, "It's my fault...I shouldn't have put it here. I thought it would be easier for you to grab it if it was kept closer to you. I didn't think you could also knock it down accidentally..."

"Claire, it's okay. I'm not hurt. I am just clumsy sometimes. It's not your fault, don't worry."

"You didn't get burnt, did you?" asked Claire, feeling guilty.

"No, no. It didn't splash on me. Just don't worry about it...

Could you please clean up the place? I'm going to my room for a while," said Ashley with a reassuring smile.

"Okay, Miss Mu. I'll take care of this..." Claire replied, her eyes still low.

Leaving Claire there, she forced herself to climb the stairs, even though her feet were hurt.

She sat on the edge of the bed once she reached her room and checked her feet. The right one was alright, but the left one was miserable.

There was a red blotch on the instep. It had already started to swell.

She hissed quietly and walked to the bathroom to run cold water over it. Once the pain and stinging alleviated a bit, she fished for an ointment in her medical kit.

The ointment cooled down the spot instantly, making her feel much better. She then rested on the bed, playing a game on her phone.

Every now and then, the large empty bedroom overwhelmed her. She felt bored and lonely.

She never felt like that when Andrew was around. They didn't even have to be talking for her to feel comfortable. His sheer presence was enough.

Everything felt different now. Her mood these days had changed.

She wasn't used to sitting idly, without having anything to do.

Now that her foot wasn't bothering her so much, she forgot about it completely. She realized that she hadn't been to the cake shop for a long time. 'I don't have anything to do anyway, so why not go to see Ellie there?'

She acted as soon as she got that thought. She changed into better clothes and left the house. On her way out, she told Claire she might not come back home in the evening.

Claire stared at her back, mumbling to herself, "What's the matter? Did she fight with Mr. Lu again? Are they not getting along?"

She didn't know a fight was often

't see a reason for you to come here..."

Ashley got stiff and uneasy, but soon adjusted herself. Ellie didn't even notice the change. "He has to work overtime."

"Ah, I see! He's unavailable so you came to see me...well, is that fair?"

Ashley pushed her down the couch. "What nonsense are you talking about? I came to see you on purpose! I missed you, idiot!"

They fought with each other playfully for a while, pulling at each other's hair and clothes, laughing like little girls.

When they finally stopped, Ashley happened to take a close look at Ellie's face.

She looked different than usual.

It was difficult to pinpoint, but her features and manners were more graceful than before.

She looked much prettier and more charming.

Ashley continued to stare at her, almost in a state of trance.

Ellie waved her hand in front of her face and asked, "What's wrong with you? Did you lose your soul?"

Ashley snapped back to reality. "No...Ellie, why do you look different?" she asked, while running her skeptical eyes all over her.

Ellie's heart missed a beat but she managed to maintain her composure. "What is different?"

Ashley sighed. "I can't really say. It's just a feeling. You look much prettier than before!"

Ellie felt relieved. "Oh, I thought you meant I had something on my face. Well, it's probably because you haven't seen me for such a long time that you've forgotten what I look like!" she said, rolling her eyes.