Chapter 11
He listened quietly to the piano music flowing gently, like a soft stream, calm and healing.
Elsie’s fingers danced over the keys, focused and tender.
The door to the music room was gently pushed open, and a tall, slender figure walked in.
It was the young man who stood serenely by the piano, maintaining respectful distance–neither too near nor too far.His gaze fell on Elsie, carrying a hint of coldness and aloof.
Elsie glanced up at him, then continued playing, as if she hadn’t noticed his presence.
When the music slowly came to an end, she lifted her hands slightly stopped playing, and turned to look at him.
The young man’s eyes were profound, as if hiding unspoken emotions.
He was silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke in a low voice, “You’re not happy.”
Elsie’s hands paused slightly, staring at him in surprise.
He said nothing more, turned, and left, his footsteps as light as a breeze.
His departing figure looked lonely and desolate, like a stretched–out shadow.
Bruce suddenly appeared, leaning against the doorframe, watching the young man leave, and sighed softly.
“Ms. Forbes, his name is Albert Davis. He lives here too, so there’s no need to be afraid.”
“He’s a bit temperamental, but he’s a good person at heart,” Bruce said gently, with a hint of helplessness.
“Is he one of your patients too? He seems older than the other kids. Elsie moved her fingers, gesturing in the air. “Yes, Albert is also my patient. He’s twenty years old now.”
“Albert is a genius mathematician,” Bruce said slowly. “At fifteen, his paper shocked the academic world, and he was hailed as the most promising young mathematician.”
“But at eighteen, his mentor betrayed him for personal gain.”
“They forged evidence and accused him of academic fraud.”
“Although the truth eventually came out, that scandal nearly destroyed him,” Bruce said with a sigh.
“He started to shut himself off, stopped trusting anyone, and lost faith in the meaning of his life. That’s when he developed depression.”
“But his actions today surprised me. This was the first time he spoke since coming here.”
A look of disbelief flashed in Elsie’s eyes, and she frowned slightly.
Bruce added, “You must have noticed the scars on his wrists. Those are from his suicide attempts.”
Elsie’s hands clenched unconsciously, her fingertips trembling slightly.
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Chapter 11
Each scar on Albert’s wrists die testament to the depth of his despair at that time,
She could fathom the loneliness and helplessness Albert had experinced because she had felt those emotions deeply herself.
Seeing him was like seeing another version of herself.
But he’s still a good kid,” Bruce continued, his tone softening. He just needs more time and patience.”
Elsie was silent for a moment, then nodded, her gaze complicated as she looked toward the music room door.
“There’s another child you must have noticed,” Bruce said, his eyes turning to the courtyard outside.
Elsie followed his gaze.
A six–year–old girl was crouched under a tree, holding a Barbie doll.
She was carefully arranging the doll’s hair, her movements slow and focused.
She seemed oblivious to the world around her.
Despite Elsie playing the piano for so long, this little girl had shown no reaction.
“Her name is Molly Lopez. She’s hearing impaired,” Bruce said softly, with a hint of sadness.
“She was abandoned by her parents at a young age. The orphanage that took her in later closed down, and she was brought here.”
“She’s very well–behaved, never causes trouble, but she also never approaches anyone.”
“The Barbie doll is her only friend.”
Bruce adjusted his glasses, his gaze gentle as it rested on Molly.
“Molly is a very special child. Not only can she not hear, but she also can’t speak. Yet, she’s more understanding than most kids.”
Elsie’s eyes lingered on Molly, her heart aching.
That small figure reminded her of her younger self.
She recalled how the solitude and despair, following her abandonment by family, inexorably led her into a silent abyss.
She also remembered those nights holding onto her mother’s piano sheet music, telling herself to be strong.
The past seemed to replay before her eyes.
Unknowingly, tears streamed down Elsie’s face.
I feel for them, Elsie signed quickly.
“Most of the kids here have experienced some form of psychological trauma,” Bruce said again, “but they’re all trying to heal themselves.”
He looked at Elsie with gentle eyes. “Actually, you are too.”
Elsie looked up at him, her gaze wavering slightly.
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Chapter 11
Her fingers gripped the piano Tid tightly, as if suppressing some emotion.
“These children are all striving to survive, displaying even more courage than many adults, Bruce said slowly. But what about you? Will you continue to be engulfed by the shadows of the past? Elsie lowered her head, her gaze falling on her own wrists.
The small scars overlapped with the ones on Albert’s wrists, bringing an indescribable pain.
Looking at Molly holding the Barbie doll, a complex emotion surged in her heart.
She lowered her head slightly, her fingers caressing the piano lid, he thoughts drifting away.
She knew Bruce was trying to warm these kids‘ hearts, to light a small flame of hope for them.
But what about herself?
She had immersed herself in a fleeting illusion of love for so long that she had lost the ability to discern reality.
She had given so much to Ronald, but all she got in return was his indifference and distance.
All this time, she thought she was holding onto something, but now she realized it was just an obsession with the past.
Bruce noticed her sadness and said softly, “Ms. Forbes, these kids need time and courage, and perhaps you need to give yourself a chance to start over.”
Elsie looked out the window, feeling a desire to break free for the first time.
Back in her room, Elsie sat on the bed and took out her phone.
Her mind still echoed with Bruce’s words, each syllable like a stone cast into the lake of her heart, stirring ripples that refused to subside.
A complex emotion surged within her. Just as she was deep in thought, her phone screen lit up.
The glaring light interrupted her thoughts, and an unread message appeared, like a cold wind disturbing the peace.
It was from Ronald.
[Elsie, do you really want a divorce?
[You know Grandma’s health isn’t good, and you still brought up divorce?]
[What are you thinking?]
[Grandma was so good to you, and now you don’t care at all. Are you really that cold–hearted?]
His words were as cold and accusatory as ever.
Elsie stared at the screen, her fingers lightly brushing over each word, her gaze gradually becoming calm.
