During those years abroad, I owed much to his care, which helped me stand firm.
But I couldn't give him what he wanted.
"Saw him?" he asked.
I bit my lip, surprised that he brought up Shaun himself.
Wilbert knew something about what happened between me and Shaun.
Wilbert and my brother were classmates. During those years abroad, I often subconsciously mentioned Shaun.
I had even indirectly tried to find out the truth about the bullying.
Unfortunately, Wilbert knew little about it, and he had a distant relationship with Shaun. I had to give up.
Facing his question, I could only nod and change the subject.
"Just had a drink, feeling a bit tired. I think I'll head back. Tomorrow, I have to visit my parents in my hometown."
I came here today because the bar owner was Wilbert's friend. He arrived late, and that was how I ended up meeting Shaun and the others.
Wilbert didn't insist, and he drove me back home.
He offered to accompany me to visit my parents.
But I wasn't ready. I blurted out, "No need."
Realizing my reaction was too intense, I awkwardly looked out the window, unable to meet his gaze.
The atmosphere became awkward. After a minute, Wilbert reached out and patted my hand. "It's okay. I can wait."
His words eased my tension considerably, and I thanked him softly.
Our old house was located downtown, and we arrived quickly.
After my brother's death, my parents moved back to their hometown. I was living in the old house alone.
The residents were mostly elderly people. They slept early, and there were hardly any people on the streets now.
Wilbert originally planned to escort me into the compound, but his friend was urging him, so he had to leave.
After bidding him farewell, I walked slowly towards the apartment building alone.
This road carried so many memories of my childhood. My brother used to love snatching candies from me. Dad would lift me onto his shoulders and spin around in circles, and then there was Shaun.
Each beautiful memory seemed like it was just yesterday.
Tears unexpectedly rolled down my cheeks. I quickly looked up to hold them back, only to see Shaun standing there in the dim streetlight.
His sudden appearance jolted me back to the winter vacation of my senior year.
Shaun had traveled across the city, riding buses for a long time, just to come see me.
It was snowing heavily that day, and here we were standing under this same streetlight.