Chapter 163

Willie studied the three of us—Logan, Jonathan, and myself. She asked, "Are both of you tormenting Ari even though you're older than her?" Jonathan frowned. "We're not." Willie questioned, "Why is she bawling her eyes out like that, then?" No one answered her because no one knew how to explain the situation. Jonathan said to Willie, "Just comfort her for a bit, and don't ask any other questions." Willie nodded. Jonathan and Logan then walked out of the ward. … I could see them lighting cigarettes and smoking in the hallway. Then, they turned their backs on me as they spoke with one another. Willie examined the look on my face. She asked, "Ari, are you feeling sad because of Elijah?" I lowered my head and remained silent. Willie sighed. "From the way he expressed himself yesterday, it does look like he's sincerely sorry. After all, as someone with a status like his, he was willing to ask you for your forgiveness in public. That's not an easy thing to do…" I rubbed my