Chapter 3 The Moan
1253 Words
Amber's POV:
The next day, I returned to Sidney's villa.
Sereina's response came in the middle of the night, just when I had almost given up hope. The moment I saw her message, I jumped up in excitement.
I was deeply grateful for Sereina's understanding and kindness. At the same time, I secretly vowed to myself that I would stay and help Sidney.
Mabel didn't seem surprised by my arrival. Sereina must have informed her beforehand. She looked worried as she spoke to me, "Mr. Sidney is in a very foul mood. He's already ordered that no one be allowed into his room."
A heavy feeling settled in my chest. This would make the task even harder. But no matter what, I was going to get him outside for some fresh air today—I had come prepared.
Mabel handed me a tray with fruit and milk. "Mr. Sidney hasn't eaten in a long time. Try giving him this."
"Thank you." I gratefully accepted the tray and walked toward Sidney's room.
I knocked gently on the door. "Mr. Sidney, it's me, Amber. Could you open the door? I brought you breakfast."
I expected Sidney to throw a tantrum and start throwing things, but this time, there was no response at all.
I knocked again, a bit harder, but still nothing.
Sidney seemed to be refusing to talk to me. The silence made me uneasy—everything was too quiet, except for a faint noise. But when I strained to listen, it disappeared.
I pressed my ear against the door, holding my breath, listening closely. Finally, I confirmed that I hadn't imagined it—it was a weak moan from Sidney.
Remembering what Mabel had said, I immediately realized something was wrong. I put the tray down and rammed the door with all my strength.
The door didn't budge.
After several failed attempts, I was frantic, my mind filled with images of Sidney in trouble. It was just like when my parents had their accident—I was terrified, and I had to do something!
I couldn't... I couldn't make the same mistake again.
If I hadn't been so stubborn that day, ignoring them out of a childish tantrum, they might not have ended up in that tragedy... Not a day had gone by since then that I hadn't regretted it.
And now, I wouldn't let myself be powerless again.
I thought for a moment before spinning around and rushing to find Mabel.
"Does Mr. Sidney's room have a spare key? Give it to me, quick!" I asked urgently.
Mabel froze, clearly not understanding what was going on, and politely refused, "Yes, but without his permission, I can't give it to you."
"Mr. Sidney is in trouble!" My voice trembled uncontrollably.
Mabel looked skeptical, muttering under her breath, "Are you sure? It could just be another one of his pranks."
I knew what she was worried about. She was just following Sidney's orders, trying to keep her job, but I couldn't just stand by.
There was no time to explain. I grabbed her sleeve, practically yelling, "Where's the key? Give it to me now!"
Mabel was clearly frightened, her hand trembling as she pointed to a drawer behind her.
I released her and found the key in the drawer.
But when I saw Mabel cowering, backing away, guilt washed over me. I quickly said, "I'm sorry, Mabel! I'll take full responsibility for this!"
With that, I turned and rushed back, inserting the spare key into the lock.
My heart pounded, afraid of what I might find.
As soon as I opened the door, my eyes instinctively went to Sidney's bed. The sheets were in disarray, but there was no sign of him.
Something was definitely wrong.
"Sidney?" I called out anxiously, quickly moving forward. I finally found him on the other side of the bed.
Sidney was lying on the floor, his skin flushed unnaturally, his brows tightly furrowed in pain, and his hair a complete mess.
The wheelchair stood silently nearby, just a step away.
I guessed he must have fallen while trying to move between the wheelchair and the bed.
A pang of sadness hit me, and my heart ached. What was so easy for most people was incredibly difficult for him.
I didn't hesitate. I rushed over, carefully lifting Sidney and placing him back on the bed. Only then did I notice that his white shirt was soaked in sweat. I decided right then to change him into something dry to make him more comfortable.
But as soon as I reached for his collar, he grabbed my wrist.
"You again, Amber! How did you get in here?"
At some point, Sidney had opened his eyes. His face was pallid, and he looked terribly weak.
A breeze blew in, and Sidney seemed to notice the open door. His expression changed instantly. "You've got some nerve!"
I pretended not to understand his anger, acting as if he were complimenting me instead.
"Mr. Sidney, let me help you change into something dry." Wearing those soaked clothes was definitely uncomfortable.
"Get away from me! Don't touch me!" Sidney tried to push my hand away, but in his sickly state, his strength was no match for mine.
I quickened my pace, unbuttoning his shirt.
"Amber, how dare you!" Sidney shouted in fury.
I ignored his protests, taking off his shirt and then moving to help him remove his pants.
He reacted like a wounded animal, struggling to pull away from me, scooting toward the far side of the bed to put as much distance between us as possible.
"Don't look at my legs! It's an order!" His voice was firm, but there was a faint tremble beneath it.
I couldn't help but glance at his legs. Sidney's legs were long, and at first glance, they didn't seem different from anyone else's—except for the blood seeping from his joints and the prominent scars.
He quickly covered his legs with the blanket, his expression suggesting he was about to explode in anger again.
"Does it hurt?" I realized I had likely crossed a line and asked softly.
"I'm used to it." Sidney froze for a moment, then looked at me with a complicated expression. After a long pause, he turned his head away, no longer meeting my gaze. His tone had softened, perhaps because he was tired. "Get out. Call the doctor."
I stood up immediately. "Alright, hold on."
Then, I rushed out of the room to find the doctor.
Sidney had his own personal physician. When the doctor arrived, he shut us all out of the room.
The house grew quiet.
I explained everything that had happened to Mabel, and she looked at me in shock, holding my hand tightly. "Mr. Sidney doesn't let anyone see his wounds except the doctor. In the beginning, when the doctor came to change his bandages, he never made a sound, no matter how much it hurt. He doesn't want anyone to pity him."
I couldn't imagine that kind of pain, and my heart ached for Sidney.
Was that why Sidney was so resistant to any caretaker who needed to be physically close to him?
I wasn't sure how long had passed, but eventually, the doctor opened the door, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he instructed Mabel, "I've treated Mr. Sidney's wounds and given him a sedative. He'll need careful monitoring for the next twenty-four hours."
Mabel looked a bit troubled.
I stood up. "I'll do it."
- Writer
