PTE

dirty paper towels from her father's white-knuckled hands. Ethan winced as the improvised bandage r

wounds upset her newfound determination. Her actions were smooth and sure as she ge

contorted into a pained expression. "Son of

waving her fingers in a sting

hed into a ghostly smile. "Yes, ma'

r experienced hands belied her youth. She could feel her father's

through the silence. "Listen, kid..." He trailed off, his brow furrowing as he looked for th

ying her father's reaction. His eyes were lowered

d deliberately as she signed her response. "I understand you did not intend it, Dad. "We a

d rarely seen. He swallowed hard, Adam's apple bouncing in his throat. "Yeah

for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, it did not seem crushing or oppressive. In

thodical. "Your hand is going to require proper treatment. I should go to the p

e flexing his damaged hand. "Probabl

the task ahead. She was well aware of the difficulties she would face at the chemist, whe

f determination, strengthened by the delic

o the small chemist, her gaze immediately drawn

s he saw her there. "Can I help you?" h

clerk's focus had already shifted to t

o let it overtake her. She took a deep breath, went closer, and

round to face her with an

e sought to communicate her demands. However, the clerk's countenance becam

t you're trying to tell me," he sai

d-air. She could feel the weight of defeat bearing down o

on, and she looked up to see the clerk grabbi

tems at her with a reluctant expr

und the provided pen. She immediately wrote down the medication

t, but he made no more comment. With a quick nod, he turne

feel grateful to the hurrying clerk. For once, someone had made the effort

is difficulty, she and her father might be able to reconnect, to mend the rough thread

ical bag from the clerk, giving him an appreciative gri

lp but feel a surge of optimism within her. The path ahead was still long

the plastic bag of medications crinkling in her hand. Her attention fell on her father, who

e guarded. But when his gaze shifted to the bag, som

ont of him. Her fingers made a series of flowing motions. "I got everything the

exing his bandaged hand. "Good thinking,

unspoken words hanging in the air. Lila struggled,

groan. "I think that's enough for today," he remarked, his voice ti

in a fury of resistance. "But Dad, you still h

no sense to push it and make things worse." He nodded at his bandaged palm, his lips form

her mouth. Her fingers danced in the air, prompting a little chu

rom deep within his chest. Lila realized how mu

sion melting away with each shared glance and unspoken exchange. It wasn't a complete healing of th

them, she couldn't help but feel a light of optimism grow inside her. The road ahea