Yes, everyone grows old, but seeing someone age overnight? That hit different. It pulled at your
heart in a way that was hard to put into words.
Matthew still brewed the tea, but even as I sipped it, all could taste was the bitterness.
“Take this tea with you. Brew it at home–it’s good for your skin,” he said, carefully packing up the
rest of
the tea leaves for me.
He really did treat me like a daughter. And now, more than ever, I could feel the guilt behind his
kindness.
I couldn’t say no–it’d only make him feel worse.
“Alright, once I run out, I’ll be back for more,” I said, trying to keep my tone light, hoping to cut
through the heaviness in the air.
“Good. Whatever you need, just ask. Rea, you’re my daughter. You know that, right?” His voice was
filled with sincerity.
I nodded. “And in my heart, you’ve always been like a father to me.”
Back when I was in school, Matthew always came to my parent–teacher meetings
Sometimes Lindey wanted to go, but he insisted, saying his being there would make the principal
and teachers take me more seriously. He never let me feel like an orphan in front of my ssmates
after I lost my parents.
Matthew nodded firmly at my words, but I could feel Lindey’s worries creeping into my mind. I
nced at his graying hair, hesitating. “Matthew, Lindey’s really worried about you. If she sees you
like this…
“I’m still pretty handsome, aren’t I?” Matthew said with a yful grin, running his hand through his
hair.” What do you think?”
I couldn’t help butugh, though my eyes filled with tears. “Yes, very handsome. You’ll always be
the most handsome.”
Just as we were sharing that light moment, footsteps echoed on the stairs. Lindey’s voice called out
before she even appeared. “I swear, no one can handle this stubborn old man but Rea!”
She stepped into the doorway, her usual teasing smile in ce—until her eyesnded on Matthew.
The smile froze.
Her expression shifted to shock, disbelief flooding her face as she stared at him. Her gaze shook,
and within seconds, tears started streaming down her cheeks.
Matthew and I both stood up. I rushed over, worried she might copse. “Lindey…”
But she didn’t even look at me. Her eyes stayed glued to Matthew’s gray hair.
Matthew stepped closer, gently wiping her tears. “What’s wrong? Do I look ugly now?”
Lindey’s hand trembled as she reached up, barely touching his hair. “Your hair…
“Yeah, it’s gray now. And there’s more of it than you have, so no need to worry anymore, right?”
Matthew tried to joke, brushing away more of her tears.
But she couldn’t stop. Her whole body shook with emotion.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Lindey cry like that.
Matthew had always spoiled her, and it was rare to ever see her cry. But today, she was sobbing
uncontrobly, her hands clinging to his hair like the sight of it had shattered something inside her.
Watching this moment unfold, I quietly slipped out of the room.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Wayne caught my eye. “What happened? I heard my mom
crying.”
“Your dad… his hair turned gray overnight.”
Wayne’s eyes went wide with shock.
For a few moments, he just stood there, staring at the floor.
I didn’t know how tofort him. The truth was, I’de here with my own agenda, but after
everything I’d seen today, I didn’t have the heart to follow through with it.
“I think I’ll head home,” I finally said.
Wayne nced toward the stairs, then back at me. “I’ll drive you.”
We walked outside, and I got into my car. I turned the key, but the engine wouldn’t start.
Nothing. That’s when I remembered–beforeing here, I had asked the repair shop to disable the
car’s engine. It was all part of my n to end up in Matthew’s car. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
“Car trouble?” Wayne asked, noticing the situation.
I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. I just nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’ll call someone to fix it. In the meantime, let Edward drive you home,” Wayne suggested.
Edward was Matthew’s driver.