Chapter 5 Listening To The Whispers Of The Heart

• Hazel snapped out of her reverie and looked at Theo. "Nothing," she replied nervously.
• Theo paused, then sighed softly. "You think I didn’t overhear your conversation?"
• Hazel remained silent, then exhaled harshly. "I’m sorry. I–"
• "You still have the card from yesterday, right? Just use the money on it."
• Hazel fell silent again. She kept looking at Theo without speaking.
• "Hazel? Are you listening to me?"
• Hazel snapped out of her thoughts. She fidgeted with her fingers under the table, biting her lip to hold back her nervousness. "How do I talk to Theo? I... really don’t feel right about this," Hazel thought.
• "Hazel? What are you hiding? Is that money not enough for you?"
• "No, but Theo..."
• "Yes?"
• "Can I..." Hazel’s words trailed off, making Theo even more curious.
• "What?"
• "Can I borrow some more of your money? I’ll pay you back later."
• Theo’s brows furrowed. How could she not use such a large amount of money?
• "How much do you need?" Theo asked without pressing further.
• Hazel’s eyes sparkled, unable to believe that Theo was willing to lend her money. "Seriously, Theo?"
• Theo cleared his throat and nodded. "I’m serious. Do you want me to take you to the hospital as well?"
• "No need. You should rest. I’ll get ready first."
• Hazel quickly walked away from Theo to change clothes.
• Theo just shook his head, glancing at the beautiful painting created by Hazel’s hand.
• "I’m sure you’re hiding something from me, Hazel."
• After a few minutes, Hazel emerged wearing a knee-length skirt and a T-shirt layered with a cardigan. "Theo, I’m off now, okay?"
• Theo turned towards the source of the voice, looking at Hazel in admiration.
• "Wait a minute, I need to go to my room for a bit. Just five minutes."
• Theo rolled his wheelchair into his room.
• "Where are you going?"
• "Just wait there!" Theo called out.
• Hazel raised an eyebrow and followed Theo from behind. "Let me help."
• Without being asked, Hazel helped Theo by pushing his wheelchair towards the room.
• Hazel kept watching Theo as he picked out clothes from the closet.
• "Where exactly are you planning to go?" Hazel asked.
• Theo glanced at Hazel. "Of course, I’m going with you," he said before closing the closet door.
• "Going with me? I already said you should stay home. You’re still sick."
• Theo glanced sideways at Hazel. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with someone paralyzed like me?" he asked, his tone flat.
• The ridiculous question from Theo left Hazel speechless. How could Theo even think that?
• "Theo, are you joking? I’m not embarrassed. But–"
• "Alright then, wait outside. I’m going to change," Theo said, cutting off Hazel’s words.
• Hazel stood there, then exhaled sharply. "Fine, Theo. I won’t stop you. I’ll wait outside," she said before leaving the room.
• While waiting outside, Hazel texted her grandmother.
• "Thankfully, Grandma’s okay. It’s true that Ellena didn’t give the money to Grandma," Hazel murmured.
• A few minutes later, Theo emerged from the room, dressed neatly. Hazel immediately approached him.
• "Ready?"
• "Ready," Theo replied curtly.
• "Let me help push." Hazel gently pushed Theo’s wheelchair outside.
• Outside, Thomas was already warming up the car and opened the rear door for both Theo and Hazel.
• "Thank you, Thomas," Theo said, then turned to Hazel. "Hazel, you go in first. Thomas can help me."
• "No need, let me do it. Thomas, can you take Theo’s wheelchair to the back? I’ll help Theo into the car," Hazel said.
• Theo couldn’t believe what Hazel was saying, but he finally accepted her help.
• Hazel assisted Theo into the car. Before getting in herself, she folded the wheelchair and placed it in the trunk.
• During the ride, they didn’t talk much. Hazel was busy updating her grandmother.
• "Did you tell her that we’re going to visit?"
• Hazel turned to the side and nodded slightly. "Yes, she’s waiting. I’ll go in to pick her up."
• Theo cleared his throat and nodded in understanding. "Should I go with you?"
• "No need. I’ll do it. You wait in the car, okay?"
• "Alright then. I’ll wait for you here."
• Hazel smiled softly, gazing out the window at the vehicles passing by.
• "Oh, and I’ll also get some medicine for your leg to ease the pain."
• Hazel turned to Theo again. "Is that necessary? Theo, my leg’s not that bad. Maybe just one more session, and it’ll be healed."
• "Still, I don’t want you to be in pain. You think I haven’t been through that?"
• Hazel fell silent, then sighed softly. "Alright, Theo. I’ll buy it myself later. Don’t worry about it."
• "Always like that," Theo murmured, his expression still flat. Hazel just cleared her throat softly.
• Hazel continued looking out the window, not realizing that Theo was watching her the whole time.
• Soon, they arrived at her grandmother’s house. The house was simple, with a small restaurant next to it owned by her aunt.
• "This is your grandmother’s house?"
• Hazel nodded slightly and smiled at Theo.
• "I’ll go in. Wait here, alright?"
• Theo cleared his throat softly.
• Hazel opened the door and got out, then walked into the house.
• "Grandma? Are you inside?"
• Hazel stepped towards the room her grandmother used to stay in. She opened the door and saw her grandmother already prepared.
• Her grandmother’s smile grew wide as she saw Hazel arrive.
• "You’re here? I hope I’m not being a burden to you?" her grandmother asked.
• "No, Grandma. Let’s go outside. Theo is waiting."
• "Theo? Your husband’s with you?"
• Hazel nodded and smiled, gently stroking her grandmother’s arm. "Yes, I planned to come here alone, but Theo didn’t want me going out by myself."
• Vivian nodded in understanding. "I see. You should have just sent some money instead of going through all this trouble."
• "Don’t worry about it, Grandma. Let’s go together." Hazel held her grandmother’s hand and headed outside.
• "Oh, by the way, there’s something I wanted to tell you."
• "Just tell me now, Grandma," Hazel said as they walked.
• Before getting into the car, Hazel made sure to close the house door tightly.
• "The house is quiet, huh? They went out?"
• Vivian looked at Hazel with a sympathetic expression. "Yes, they went out using your husband’s card."
• Hazel was shocked by her grandmother’s words. She looked at Vivian with a questioning expression. How did her grandmother know everything?
• "I bet you’re wondering how I know all this, right?"