heard Rachel’s slightly reserved voice replied thank you for having me Daniel as they entered the living room I stood up to greet her welcome Rachel Rachel looked a bit thinner and tired thank you Megan I’m sorry for the trouble she said her words sounded sincere but the caution in my heart didn’t completely disappear Ashley came running down the stairs exclaiming Aunt Rachel they were happy to see each other after a long time and immediately started chatting comfortably during dinner that evening Rachel told us about her job
loss the company’s financial situation worsened and there was a large scale layoff it was so sudden her voice trailed off Daniel gently said it’s okay Rachel you can look for a new job while you’re here there’s no need to rush I agreed but internally I had mixed feelings a worry crossed my mind that Rachel’s stay might be prolonged as a few days passed I began to notice that Rachel’s presence was gradually influencing our family’s daily life what particularly concerned me was how quickly she was becoming close to
Ashley one evening while I Was preparing dinner in the kitchen I could hear Ashley and Rachel’s cheerful laughter from the living room listening closely I heard Rachel saying yes and then in high school this happened I found myself unconsciously straining to hear Rachel’s High School Stories shouldn’t be very good memories I clearly remember her causing problems back then Mom what are you doing Ashley’s sudden voice startled me back to reality oh I was just lost in thought I answered feeling a bit embarrassed about
my behavior during dinner Rachel began asking Daniel about his work Daniel how’s the new product development at carer I’m really curious Daniel looked a bit uncomfortable but answered well we have some new things coming out but I can’t say much it’s company confidential you know Rachel persisted I see but what’s the general direction environmentally friendly products perhaps feeling a bit awkward I tried to change the subject by the way Rachel how’s your job search going she frowned slightly and replied well I’m trying but it’s not easy to find
something that night I spoke to Daniel in our bedroom Rachel seems to have gotten quite close to Ashley lately Daniel looked up from his book and said yes I think it’s good good stimulation for Ashley I hesitated but continued but I’m a bit worried considering Rachel’s past Daniel frowned slightly and said Meg let’s let bygones be bygones I think Rachel has changed I fell silent I didn’t want to disrupt the family Harmony but internally I was still worried looking out the window I saw Moonlight quietly Illuminating the
garden how long would this peaceful daily life continue with these thoughts I closed my eyes it was Friday evening and I had just returned from school while preparing dinner in the kitchen I was reflecting on today’s class it was impressive to see the students discussing Romeo and Juliet I’m home Ashley’s voice called out and I turned around with a smile to say welcome back however that smile quickly faded Ashley didn’t look well Ashley are you okay I asked and she weakly replied I’m feeling a bit sick I immediately rushed to Ashley side
and put my hand on her forehead there was no fever but she clearly looked unwell how do you feel I asked and Ashley began to say my stomach hurts and I feel nauseous when suddenly her face changed color the next moment she rushed to the bathroom and began vomiting violently I watched anxiously rubbing her back Rachel I called out she should be upstairs but there was no response after a while Ashley’s condition worsened her stomach pain intensified and she began to break out in a cold sweat I try to stay calm despite my
Panic Daniel come home quickly I prayed in my heart as I called my husband Ashley’s in trouble come home right away before I could hear Daniel’s response I heard Ashley’s Cry of pain this is not normal without hesitation I dialed 911 911 what’s your emergency my daughter my daughter suddenly started having stomach pain and vomiting and it’s getting worse I understand we’ll dispatch an ambulance right away can you give me your address I gave the address in a trembling voice the operator calmly instructed me on what to do but my mind was
