Ray was with Hazel not too far away from the entrance of the welfare home when her useless father arrived. At the sight of her frailed haggard mother in a wheelchair, she nearly fell to the ground as Ray wrapped her tightly in his arms.

  “It’s fine… I’m here…” Ray comforted as Hazel leaned on him.

  They saw Ivy arrive with a few security guys headed by Chiang and the person in charge of admission at the welfare home was someone he recognised and was reliable, Ching Long. Ray was at ease as he knew Ching Long could fight and had assisted him in doing many tasks when he was undercover. He knew his sister was in good hands right away.

  “Who are you? Where is my daughter?! Is this a scam?!” The old man bellowed in anger as his frailed wife made some noise as though to stop him from talking so harshly but to no avail. He nearly hit her when one of the Ching Long’s guys stopped him.

  “You came to the right place. So, head in. What are you waiting for?” Ivy pointed briefly to the entrance before cocking her head as the old man began to be provoked. “Why must I? Who knew if this was a trap?” He retaliated.

  “Well, the choice is yours, old man… You came and only by entering will you be able to fulfill what you came for isn’t it?” Ivy fought back sarcastically which made the man lose his patience. He wanted to pick a fight with Ivy but was reprimanded by the guards.

  “Let me give you a piece of advice. To survive and get what you want, be more like a monk.” Ivy then bowed as though paying respect in the temple. He was furious at her mocking him as he stormed inside and was led by Ching Long and his men.

  Ivy signaled to Ching Long discreetly to teach him a lesson with a sinister smile.

  “Enjoy your time! You walked in willingly, remember that!” She sarcastically sends him off.

  When he realised he was to go in alone and his wife was being transported into the car by Chiang’s men, it was too late for him to escape his fate in the rehabilitation camp Ivy and a few tough ex-drug dealers under Ray's dealings came up with.

  It involved them working under the harsh weather for the farmers and orchards while being punished with military workouts if they rebelled or created a ruckus. It was to ensure they could still stay fit while searching for themselves in their lost world by giving back to society via their harvests.

  Hazel watched from afar and had a bittersweet feeling. A part of her wanted to run to greet her mother but she knew she had to be a little more patient as she clung to Ray for comfort.

  “Let’s go… We will head to the hospital next and you can see her. She is finally free. So are you…” Ray comforted her as she nodded and held in her tears along the way to the hospital.

  It took Hazel a while to build her courage to see her mother. Given the idle time, Ivy made preparations for her mother to look more presentable before she learned from the doctors that Hazel’s mother’s days were numbered.

  It reminded Ivy of the very same thing the doctor told her about Permisla. She forced herself to hold back her tears knowing Ray was coming soon with Hazel.

  At the sight of an anxious daughter longing to see her mother after a long while, Ivy knew she should not convey the news just yet. Instead, Ivy drew Hazel in for a hug but kept her gaze fixated on her brother.

  Ray knew it was bad news but Ivy tried to smile through her glistening eyes while trying to find the right words to comfort Hazel who was in her arms.

  “Your mother needs you…” Ivy finally said with a forced smile as Hazel drew away from her hug and looked at Ivy with hope.

  “Go, she needs you…” Ivy encouraged as Hazel’s excitement built up and rushed to the room.

  As Ray passed by Ivy, she finally blinked to let her tears drop and shook her head indicating it was not a good situation. Ray nodded understandingly as he continued to trail Hazel into the room. When Ivy heard Hazel’s cries, apologising to her mother profusely, Ivy strongly walked away while wiping her uncontrollable tears, wondering how it would be when Hazel knew she had not had much chance left with her mother.

  She conveyed the news to Ray in a text message and let him take charge to tell Hazel about it instead as she offered to look after the boys with Daisy the entire time. She sat sighing and lamenting on life that night before penning down things she could not say to anyone except Jeremy.

  13 weeks later in 2nd year:

  Have you been well? Have you been eating and sleeping well?

  I… Never have I thought I would deal with life and death so often before this and now that I had to, I can never get used to it. There are always some things I can never understand. The fairness, the timing, and the destiny… I know everything happens for a reason but sometimes, just why?

  Today, Hazel finally met with her birth mother and her birth father had been sent in to join the welfare home under a strict regime under Ching Long. I guess you would know what that meant. Her arrogant father deserves it I tell you but who am I to sentence anyone to doom days, right?

  That place was intended to teach them lessons of life to repent even after their jail sentence for instance. However, I wonder if I am doing the right thing for Hazel. So what if he repented eventually, I doubt his wife and daughter would accept him back into their lives or even forgive him cause I know I won’t. Maybe I might I don’t even know but it would take me a very long time.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that her mother’s days were numbered, Jere. Cause before I even told her, she had already broken down at the sight of her frail mother who was receiving treatment for her cancer in the hospital. It reminded me of myself when I received the same news by Marcel’s side and I had you to comfort me thereafter.

  Hazel had never been a strong woman in my mind but there was so much that she had gone through which broke her. I am so glad she met Ray honestly. I guess they had been progressing well considering how she had leaned on him as support during this tough period.

  I know I should have told her so that she could cherish the first time after so long meeting her mother even more but I just cannot bring myself to do it. I had to painstakingly let Ray do it and in exchange give the couple some time off from the boys. Just what exactly am I doing? Shouldn’t I shoulder this responsibility? I have been such a disappointment lately…

  Having said so, I am glad to have Jonathan around and I might need to take him to Manes for classes. But again I love the long rides with him. The things he questions to ease his curiosity about the world and the stories he tells about his experiences in school… It helps me to find my sanity in continuing to help those in need.

  He is doing well Jere and little Joseph is learning to walk. I’m sure Mum will be busy from tomorrow looking after him temporarily.

  Sigh, I wish you could see all this for yourself and experience their growth too. Come out quick, sweetie… We all miss you dearly.

  Ray had been accompanying Hazel to see her mother daily but had not had the chance to tell her about her mother’s condition. However, that does not mean she did not know. She had lived a hard life and had seen all sorts of death in the women’s den back then to know that her mother’s condition was not improving. Even more to be convinced when the doctor had not discharged her.

  One evening, she sat by the park to catch a breather when her mother was asleep and Ray went to wash up some bottles. When he returned, on the way, he spotted her silently crying to herself at the park. He was worried that she might have known from the doctor as he rushed to her side. She quickly wiped her tears away and put on a sad smile as he pulled her in for a hug.

  “Everything’s going to be alright… I will always be here for you…” Ray comforted as Hazel held onto him.

  “How did Ivy endure all these back then during chaos? Ray… I felt so weak… I’m so useless when it comes to comforting my mother. All I could do was to beg for forgiveness but in her state, she couldn’t even recognise me. I have been…” She finally broke down in front of Ray as he gently patted her back.

  “I have been a bad daughter… I have been so selfish… I should have found her as soon as I could sustain myself. I should have known better to be the better adult… I…” Ray lifted her chin to face him as he wiped her tears away.

  “You did very well by being able to forgive her Haz. You are doing your best to give her what you can’t back then. She will definitely be very happy to know as every mother will… You’re only human. Cherish the last moments with her and that would be the honor of a lifetime.” He comforted her as she nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Hazel asked as Ray instantly felt guilty. “I… How did you find out?” Ray asked.

  “How would I not know after what I had been through? And her condition isn’t improving. The doctors aren’t discharging her either…” Hazel cried as Ray continued to hug her.

  “I’m sorry. Ivy told me when we first admitted Auntie to the hospital but I couldn’t tell you cause you were already so emotional about the reunion. I thought I should give you some time to feel happy… Her days may be numbered but you still have the chance to redeem yourself, Haz.” Ray comforted as Hazel kissed his cheek.

  “I want to build her a tombstone by then…” She concluded as he smiled and nodded. “I will get that sorted out too. Trust me. Things will get better.” He held her in his arms as she leaned on him gratefully counting her blessings.

  Since the family was prepared for this impending death, many arrangements were pre-made for the funeral and wake. One good thing was Hazel’s father did not come to attend as he did not even care and was busy trying to find ways to get more drugs in the welfare home under training but to no avail.

  Ivy knew no matter how strict a place could be, there was no escape from new loopholes. There are still ways for those who want to find the supply to get the supply. Despite so, she knew she had done her best in trying to help those people from their doom days. Her only concern was in a year or so, there would be more inmates being released and though some might want to repent and she would gladly offer them the opportunity, there would be some who would want to seek revenge and cause harm to her family and herself.

  That was the reason she was striving to build a sustainable ecosystem for the community itself from lodgings, and meals to jobs and healthcare not just for themselves but also for their family members. There were also corrective measures which she was still improving with the team to strengthen the effectiveness.

  Security? She never had to worry cause Ray led the strongest and smartest team consisting of some retired policemen working alongside loyal underlings who had worked with him before this.

  Even then, she was not convinced herself of thorough safety. Though she had been equipped and improved in her martial arts skills, she could never tell how dark a human’s heart can grow especially through a grudge over time.

  Just when she was completing her discussion with the hospital on improvements or feedback from the recent cases related to the welfare home, she spotted a familiar anxious figure at the operating theatre. Chin Long accompanied her to walk over slowly at first but she hastened her steps when she saw her squatting in agony.

  “Sandra…” Ivy called out in a shocked state as Sandra turned to look at her and ran to hug Ivy.

  “What’s wrong? Who’s in there? Auntie Soh is well as far as I know…” Ivy questioned but Sandra was sobbing uncontrollably.

  “Sandra… Who is in there?” Ivy pestered her although Ivy could tell it was Andrew, just hoping it was not.

  “And… rew… He… He collapsed all of a sudden at work and I received an emergency call… It’s my fault for not paying attention! He had been complaining of abdomen pain the last few days but I was too busy with my clinical training to accompany him to see a doctor… I … I … Ivy he won’t die would he?!” Sandra wailed as Ivy hugged her even tighter.

  “He will be alright… Don’t think too much… I will be with you, alright…” Ivy comforted as Sandra held onto her tightly.

  At the back of Ivy’s mind, she began to question again on life and death.

  The overwhelming hardships and chaos in daily life have made humans often forget just how time flies by in the blink of an eye. Yet humans were not appreciating things when they should. Lamenting and expecting for better things in life always. The worst was how cruel life is to the weak ones though there was always karma coming back to avenge for them.