Chapter 14 What She Has Endured

The dean shuddered. “Mr. Tremont… It’s just a one… a one off case. That tutor is a temporary worker, a temporary one. I’ll ask her to leave!” Mark Tremont said nothing. There was only the flickering flame in his eyes reflecting his current fury. Tiffany Lane scoffed. “Temporary worker? Sure.” The dean was speechless. “Miss Lane, don’t be a busybody. You students don’t know about any school affairs!” Wearing a frown, Tiffany was about to retort when the doctor came out. “Patient’s family?” “Me,” Tiffany Lane and Mark Tremont replied simultaneously. Tiffany was quite surprised by Mark Tremont’s voice. For this matter, she assumed the family role, since she was unable to contact Arianne Wynn’s so-called brother but what was Mark Tremont on to? It was well-reasoned that the doctor opted for Mark Tremont, who looked more reliable, to explain the situation. “The patient is alright. It’s gastritis. She is young but in bad health. Watch what she eats and make sure she consumes more nutritious food. She can leave after the drip is done.” Mark Tremont responded with a soft hum and went into the emergency ward. Arianne Wynn was still unconscious, laid on the bed with slightly unkempt long hair. The cool fluid was injected into her body through the thin pipe. The veins on the back of her hand were visible as her skin was a sickly shade of white. Mark Tremont had no idea when she started mistreating herself to such a state… Tiffany Lane stepped forward and spoke with a hushed voice, “Ari has no parents, only a non-biological older brother. That brother of hers doesn’t really care about her. She eats cold stale buns with plain cold water in the biting winter. How could she not have gastritis? What Tiffany did not notice was Mark Tremont who looked increasingly grim, as his sheeny eyes were coated with a wash of complicated emotions. She went on saying, “Her brother seems to have returned recently as she’s required to go home punctually every day. I can’t even take her out for a good meal. Isn’t that crazy?” “That is crazy,” Mark Tremont answered with a slightly mocking tone, “What else?” Chatterbox Tiffany Lane was activated. “I’ve known her since high school. It’s been about three years. All this time, I’ve never seen her buy new clothes like a normal person. It’s as if she comes from the slump! She has worked part-time since junior high, she’s done all sorts of odd jobs, distributing flyers everywhere in the hot summer, washing dishes in restaurants during the crisp winter… My heart aches for her when I think about it!” “Fine if her brother isn’t concerned about her, but he forbids others to show her compassion as well! Now that she can’t work part-time, her life’s surely more miserable! It enrages me whenever I mention it! She cycles to and from school in freezing winter. Her hands, which are supposed to be drawing, are frozen raw!” Mark Tremont breathed in gently. Something seemed to be flowing vaguely in his eyes. “Thank you for taking care of her.” Awkward, Tiffany was rather uneasy. “She’s my only friend. It’s my duty. I only wish for her brother to treat her better. Even if he can’t, he shouldn’t stop others from being nice to her. Otherwise, he’s just a jerk. If I were to meet him, I would give him a hard punch!” Seeing that the chatterbox went on and on, the dean dragged Tiffany out worrying that she might say something inappropriate. “Let’s go, Mr. Tremont’s still here. We don’t have to worry. Mr. Tremont will certainly contact Miss Wynn’s family and make an arrangement, being the capable man he is. Let’s not disturb Miss Wynn while she rests. I’ve paid the medical fee on behalf of the school.” Mark Tremont was quiet. When they left, he turned to look at Arianne Wynn. His gaze was somehow powerless as he held her cold hand. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why live your life to such a pathetic extent in front of others? What are you being… stubborn about?” Arianne did not know how long she had been unconscious, until she dazedly heard those whispered words. Opening her eyes, she was met with a fiery gaze.