Janelle woke to find Madalyn gone. She sat bolt upright in bed. Scanning the room confirmed her mother was truly missing. In that instant, her heart felt hollow.
She got up to search, only to find Madalyn seated at the dining table with Erik, eating breakfast. Seeing Janelle, Madalyn waved.
"Janelle, come quick! Breakfast is delicious today. Xichi bought it."
It struck Janelle. Her mother hadn't liked strangers near her for years. Yet this was her first time meeting Erik, and she was calling him "Xichi"?
"Come eat. You haven't eaten properly these past two days," Erik added with a smile.
Janelle walked over. Erik stood up and pulled out a chair for her. She sat down opposite him.
Seeing her mother enjoying the food, Janelle ate a little too. Sara and Bryan arrived and found seats. The five of them ate breakfast together. Sara had also slept late; coming out of her room, she'd found Bryan waiting, and they'd come over together.
Madalyn urged Sara to eat. Sara's eyes instantly reddened. Godmother was so thin. Five years ago, she'd been a woman of stunning elegance. Now, she was painfully thin, worn down by her ordeal.
"Godmother, Janelle and I will take good care of you from now on," Sara said, her voice thick with tears.
"I can take care of myself. You two just need to look after yourselves properly," Madalyn replied gently.
"Janelle," Madalyn continued, turning to her daughter, "I don't want to stay at the border anymore. I want to go back to Graham City. I want to see it again."
"Okay," Janelle agreed. "I'll take you back after breakfast." She'd already decided. Whether it was the Rovellas or the Hills, it was time to settle things. She was done wasting time.
Erik found a moment alone with Janelle later. She sat on a white swing in the hotel's back garden; Erik leaned against it nearby.
"Go back if you want. Don't worry. The people in Graham City can't touch you."
"I know. Erik, thank you. Truly, this time." Janelle expressed her gratitude again. "I know you're busy. You don't have to come back with us."
"Busy? What am I busy with? Enough. Stop overthinking it. I'm coming with you."
"Fine." Where he went was his business. She couldn't control it, nor did she particularly care.
Janelle got off the swing to leave, but Erik caught her hand, pulling her into his arms.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. Just wanted to hold you." Erik felt a pang of frustration. Didn't the girl ever think about leaning on him? "I'm not bored yet." Knowing she disliked talk of feelings, he avoided it. They were just friends with benefits. He wasn't bored, so she wasn't getting rid of him.
"..."
Janelle was speechless.
"Erik, let me go. My mom might see."
"Not letting go. Let me hold you. We've faced life and death together now."
Erik arranged a direct flight, but even that took fifteen hours. Janelle worried her mother might struggle. Yet, she couldn't bear to leave Madalyn behind again. They all headed to the airport.
Janelle linked arms with Madalyn, who wore a beautiful cheongsam in a color Westin used to like. Seeing her mother like this, Janelle felt a fresh wave of worry. Going back meant inevitably encountering those people. She feared her mother couldn't withstand the stress. But hiding here forever, refusing to face reality, wasn't an option either.
Seeing her concern, Erik quietly took her hand. "Remember I mentioned knowing a top psychologist? If you're okay with it, I'll have him meet us in Graham City. He can see your mother then." He squeezed her hand lightly. "I swear on my life, my friend is exceptional. Trust me?"
Janelle withdrew her hand but nodded. "Then I'll trouble you for that."
With her consent, Erik immediately called his contact, instructing him to head straight to Graham City.
"Janelle," Sara piped up, "after we get to Graham City, you and Godmother should stay at my place, okay?" She knew Janelle had lived at the Rovella mansion before, but with Amber there now, it wasn't suitable for Madalyn.
"No need. You can stay at my place," Erik interjected. He'd already sent people to prepare his villa. "I've bought a new villa. My mother and I have a place; you don't need to worry." She couldn't bear the thought of her mother being dependent on others.
"Then can I come stay with you? How about that?" Sara offered, wanting to help care for them.
"Sure. There's a room for you. Come whenever you want."
"And me?" Erik asked casually. "Can I come stay whenever I want?"
Janelle didn't respond. Seeing Erik's slightly pitiful expression, Sara almost laughed out loud.
Madalyn dozed off during the flight. Erik went to make juice for Janelle. There were flight attendants, but he wanted to do it himself.
"Janelle, Erik really is good. You should consider him," Sara said softly while Erik was busy. Being alone was too lonely. With Erik beside her, life might be easier.
Janelle shook her head. Men had never featured in her life plans.
"Alright then," Sara conceded with a small sigh. "But honestly, with a body like his, sleeping with him wouldn't be a loss." Erik's physique was exceptional.
Erik and Bryan brought food over for them. On a fifteen-hour flight, eating was essential. Janelle's food was specially prepared by Erik – gentle on her stomach. She'd been stressed and anxious yesterday, and her stomach was acting up again. A light vegetable congee was best now. He'd cooked it himself, ensuring it was clean and safe.
"Have some congee." Erik handed her a spoon.
"I don't have much appetite," she admitted, genuinely not feeling like eating.
"Janelle," Erik's voice held a note of sternness, "do you want gastric hemorrhage before you're thirty? You need to take care of your mother. How will you do that if you're sick? Be good. Eat a little."
Janelle took the spoon. She hadn't eaten much yesterday, and her stomach was uncomfortable. She slowly finished a bowl.
Madalyn woke up, and Erik served her a bowl too. Madalyn took a few sips and nodded appreciatively. "Delicious."
"Auntie, Erik specially made this for you both," Bryan chimed in helpfully.
"Xichi can cook too?" Madalyn sounded surprised. The man looked so rugged, not the domestic type.
"Didn't know how before," Erik admitted. "But I plan to learn more." Mostly because Janelle had a poor appetite; he wanted to help her manage it himself.
"Your future wife will be very fortunate then," Madalyn remarked, finishing her bowl.
She fell quiet then, a hint of nervousness returning. It had been so long since she'd been back. She wondered how her parents were. Noticing her tension, Janelle took her hand.
"Mom, don't be afraid. I'm here for everything."
"Janelle," Madalyn whispered, her voice small, "would your father come to meet us? Do I... do I look very awful now?"