Chapter 367
Kelly, feeling guilty for making her mother uncomfortable, tried to stop her. “Mom, wait p>
But Mrs. Johnson, already halfway out the door, quickly added, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Just… you two go on. I’m just going out to pick up a few things. Don’t let me interrupt anything!” She flashed an awkward smile and then hurried out of the room, leaving Kelly and Clifford standing there in stunned silence.
“Should I go follow her?” Clifford asked with a hesitant and embarrassed expression. Kelly chuckled, then gently caressed his cheek and said, “My mom will feel more embarrassed if you follow her, so let her be for now. Besides, she trusts you with me p>
Then Kelly pouted as she teased, “It’s not like we’re doing something illegal. It’s just a kiss p>
She wrapped her arms around Clifford and leaned closer to shower his lips with more kisses. Her man deserved so much from her, and she wanted him to feel how much she appreciated him. “I love you, Cliff she murmured before hugging him tightly.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Johnson, still feeling the sting of what she had seen, walked down the hallway, her mind filled with a swirl of emotions.
She had witnessed the affection between her daughter and Clifford, but it wasn’t that that had caught her off guard. It was the reminder that her daughter, once so full of life and energy, was now undergoing such a difficult and heartbreaking journey. The sight of Kelly, once full of vibrant ash gray hair, now reduced to a shaved head, struck her harder than she had expected.
She sat down in the hallway near the staircase, her hands in her lap, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Her daughter had always been so proud of her hair, so beautiful and strong, and seeing it gone was like watching another part of her youth slip away.
As she wiped away a tear, Mrs. Johnson could only think of how her daughter had changed. The cancer had taken so much from her, but it could never take away her beauty, her heart, or her spirit. Still, she mourned for the parts of Kelly that were slipping away, despite how strong she was trying to be.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Dr. Ivan approaching. He had been passing by when he saw her sitting alone in the hallway, her shoulders trembling slightly as she tried to hold back her sobs.
“Mrs. Johnson?” he asked gently, stepping closer to her. “Are you alright p>
She looked up at him, startled for a moment, before quickly trying to compose herself. “Oh, Dr. Ivan… I’m fine, just… just a little overwhelmed,” she murmured, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
Dr. Ivan sat beside her, not pushing but quietly offering his support. “It’s okay to feel this way,” he said softly. “It’s a lot for any mother to handle p>
Mrs. Johnson let out a shaky breath. “I’m just so sad seeing Kelly like this… her hair was everything to her, and now… it’s gone. It’s hard to watch her go through this, and I feel like I’m losing my daughter in pieces p>
Dr. Ivan nodded, understanding more than she knew. “I know it’s tough. But Kelly is strong. She’s still the same person inside, even without her hair. It’s just one part of her journey p>
“I know,” Mrs. Johnson replied, her voice thick with emotion. “But it doesn’t make it any easier p>
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his tone reassuring. “You’re not alone in this. We’re all here for her and for you, too p>
As they sat together in the quiet hallway, the weight of the moment settled between them.
Mrs. Johnson’s heart ached as she thought of her daughter’s journey, but she also felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the overwhelming challenges Kelly was facing, there was a light in her life now, one that had come unexpectedly but had arrived at just the right time. Clifford.
Her thoughts drifted back to the first time she’d met him, the way he had looked at Kelly with such tenderness as if he had been waiting for her all his life. It wasn’t just the love he had for her daughter; it was his strength, his unwavering support, and his willingness to walk beside Kelly through every hardship.
Mrs. Johnson could see it in the way he had been there for Kelly from the beginning… encouraging her, lifting her up when she felt weak, and standing by her side no matter what.
“I’m so glad Clifford came into her life,” Mrs. Johnson murmured, more to herself than to Dr. Ivan. “He’s like a light for her in all this darkness. I never imagined she’d find someone like him p>
Dr. Ivan, who had been quietly listening, nodded. “He’s a good man. I say this because I know him well p>
Mrs. Johnson smiled faintly, though it was tinged with sadness. “I just wish she didn’t have to go through this. But at least she has him now, someone who truly understands what she’s going through, and someone who will never leave her p>
“Clifford will be there for her, no matter what,” Dr. Ivan said, his voice gentle. “He’s in this for the long haul. And sometimes, that’s all we need… someone who doesn’t give up on us, even when we’re at our lowest p>
Tears welled up in Mrs. Johnson’s eyes again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. “You’re right,” she whispered, wiping at her eyes. “She’s not alone, and neither am I. I’m grateful for Clifford. I don’t think I can ever fully express how much he means to both of us p>
Dr. Ivan gave her a kind smile, understanding the weight of her words. “You don’t have to. Clifford knows. And Kelly knows, too. You’re all stronger than you think p>
In that quiet moment, surrounded by the hum of the institute’s hallway, Mrs. Johnson found a small sense of peace. Though the road ahead would be difficult, she knew that with Clifford by Kelly’s side, and with the support of people like Dr. Ivan, they would all make it through… together.