The date for Lianne's surgery was settled.

As per her request, no one other than the family and the Diamond Group knew about it. The latter was primarily due to Zero, of course.

Lianne was the type that did not want to talk about it because in doing so, it made the situation 'real'. It wasn't to say that she avoided facing it, but rather, she did not want to have to constantly answer people's questions, or have them give her advice and concern.

She wanted everyone to act normally, and thus, she could handle the day-to-day things.

Kyle was still worried, however.

He was caught inbetween and not sure whether he would step over the line.

On the one hand, as her mother, he wanted to be there for her. If he could, he would take her pain for her. He wanted her to talk to him, but he also knew that these were things that he wanted.

Not her.

Having to step back was hard.

One thing for sure, however.

He was grateful that Lianne was the straight-forward kind of person.

Kyle did not have to second-guess his actions or his decisions.

He simply told her frankly that he wanted to be there for her, but didn't know how. That he was always there for her, that she could call him at anytime - and if she couldn't, she could always text him.

However, throughout the entire time until the surgery, Lianne never did open up.

Kyle didn't even dare ask her if she was all right, for fear that it might trigger her.

No matter what he was going through, however, Kyle never let his fear and worry show. Lianne was holding on strongly by herself.

Of course, Lianne is not superhuman.

She wasn't doing it all by herself but she couldn't bring herself to confide in her mother either.

She knew how much Kyle was worried about her, and thus, why add on to the burden?

In the end, she turned to her online friends.

Friends that she had never met but were close to. The screen provided a layer of protection and anonymity, even if there was that closeness and bond. If she felt overwhelmed, she wouldn't login.

If she needed support, she would connect.

Unlike 'real-life' whereby, you can't control when you need to meet and interact. It's not like she could hole herself in the room, right?

Hence, her daily life let her be anchored while her online friends helped her be sane.

Lianne confessed one day

Kohai responded

Lianne asked

Lianne sighed.

Kohai advised

Lianne said.

Kohai said softly

Lianne couldn't refute that.

Unlike her, Kohai's parents didn't quite understand him. He was a sickly child, and also suffered from depression. He felt like he burdened his parents and they, too, showed it.

Perhaps it wasn't their fault as they were only saying things that were true such as how expensive the surgeries were, or how tired they were … but it didn't mean that he didn't feel guilty because of it. They never blamed him outright, but he felt it.

Whilst it was true that Kyle could afford it and thus, the issue of expenses never cropped up - it was not that which Kohai was referring to. The fact that he would always ask how she felt about things, how he included her in the decisions … all of that were important.

It meant that *she* was important.

She wasn't just a sickly patient but a person.

Lianne said, feeling bad for Kohai.

Kohai was someone that she met online and they bonded through time. There were a group of them, and he was the youngest. Hence, everyone just called him kohai which meant 'a junior member in Country J's arts'.

Since they got together due to their interest and love in Country J's arts, it was rather apt.

Kohai said finally, before logging off.

Lianne stared at the now dead phone. Dead, not because it had run out of battery but 'dead' as it was now silent.

Being strong was hard.

✿ Author only posts on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l. ✿

Lianne had to be warded a couple of days before the actual surgery as she would have to go through all the necessary tests prior to surgery.

Of course, Lianne was placed in the VIP ward and Kyle was the one that would be spending the night with her at the ward.

No one said anything about that, though Joseph found it strange.

"Why is Kyle the one who is spending the night with Lianne?" Joseph whispered to Kay, as he watched Kyle arranging everything while his own father was standing awkwardly at one side.

Joseph now lived together with Kay, their marriage out in the open, so he didn't have to fear staying away from her now.

With Kyle's help, the 'explosion' wasn't as bad as what Joseph would have thought. The most surprising thing was his father, Stephan, that seemed to take it all in his stride.

Kay's parents were just surprised, but accepted him quite quickly. With his parents-in-law being supportive, Stephan didn't say much. After all, it was his son that 'took' their daughter without permission.

In truth, Stephan didn't make much of a fuss due to two reasons. One, because Kyle had already broached the subject to him about their son's antics. Stephan had been angry, of course, but like Kyle rightly pointed out - what's done is done.

Getting angry over spilt milk was useless.

Secondly, Stephan was embarrassed. He had to face his in-laws and apologize to them for his son's actions, yet they were the ones that were apologizing to him for their daughter 'stealing from the cradle'.

By some tacit agreement, both parties decided to let the children be without raising too much of a fuss.

Hence, the dinner went by in uncomfortable silence but Joseph was happy.

Stephan had to have a heart-to-heart talk with his son as well.

Stephan couldn't quite see Joseph as being matured enough to be a husband to Kay, so he had to make sure his son didn't fail her in this. The last thing he wanted was Kay seeing Joseph as a 'son' to take care of, rather than having a husband who is her partner.

These things, however, were things that Joseph would have to learn, and face, in the marriage. But that is a story for another day.

After all, marriage isn't like the fairy tales where one lived 'happily ever after' once the ring is put on the finger. The journey has just begun.

Kay answered, "Who else is close to your sister? Kyle is like a second parent to her, despite his age, right?"

"Also, Zero would have stayed but he's single, thus inappropriate," Kay said.

Joseph thought about it and felt Kay was right.

It wasn't so weird to have Kyle stay the night as well, since they were all now tied via marriage. Previously, he was just their sponsor. Now, he was much more than that; even though the 'true' tie via marriage was through Joseph.

Lianne appeared rather small on the hospital bed. She had Leon with her, though she really wanted to bring Koga as well.

Leon was her husky soft toy, that Kyle had made so long ago to replace the one that she had lost in the fire. It was only 12" wide while Koga was the bigger version that served as a bolster as well. These two were her favourites, and she sought comfort from them.

"I guess you're right," Joseph said, resisting the urge to hug Kay. With his father here, he was more reserved in his PDA, even though Kay was his wife.

Kyle said.

Kay pointed out.

Kyle snorted

Kay said.

Kyle snorted.

Kyle said, praying it to be so.