"...But I really think you could let your mother try the medicine I have..."
After saying that, A Luo held her breath and focused, listening carefully for the girl's response on the other end of the phone.
Would Dina cry?
The freedom she and her mother longed for had been right within reach, yet Vito's sudden death had destroyed every possibility.
But although Dina sounded grief-stricken, she hadn't lost her reason to sorrow.
"A Luo, I understand the situation. When I decided to go along with your plan, I prepared myself for this. As long as you're safe, that's what matters. Let's meet up now, then try giving my mother that medicinal powder you have, like you suggested?"
A Luo murmured her agreement.
They had to try. Maybe it would work!
Soon, before the sky grew fully light, A Luo found the place where Dina was staying.
The moment Dina saw A Luo, she hurried over, took her hand nervously, and said with great care:
"You haven't forgotten what you said to comfort me just now, have you? A Luo, no matter what you see, you have to stay calm. Your mother isn't doing well. You're the only person she can depend on now."
A Luo's heart lurched.
Dina had said something similar before. A Luo had simply assumed that Vito had gone mad and tortured her mother, his own younger sister.
But now Dina had gone out of her way to warn her again. Could things be even worse than she'd imagined?
Still, despite her apprehension, A Luo didn't forget to hand Dina the medicinal powder she'd made.
Only then did she walk toward Malena's room, each step filled with unease.
After knocking twice, A Luo spoke in the gentlest voice she could manage:
"Mom, it's A Luo. Can