The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 126: The Consolation Luncheon

Julien's cries and screams echoed in the room illuminated only by moonlight. Jenna stood quietly at the doorway, not daring to take a step forward.

She was afraid that if she went inside, she would realize this wasn't a nightmare, but reality.

After a long while, Jenna closed her eyes and, gritting her teeth, entered the room, which served as both Julien's bedroom, living room, kitchen, and dining room.

She crouched beside her brother, not stopping his cries nor touching him, as if he were in a state of shock. Instead, she softly said, "We don't have much debt left. Even if you lose your current job, you can always find another one. There's no need to rush...

"You have a solid foundation, and surely another master would be willing to take you in...

"Mom wants to see us living better lives, not blaming ourselves..."

Jenna repeated these words over and over until the mentally drained Julien gradually weakened and slumped against the wall by the window, eventually falling asleep.

At last, he was quiet.

Seeing her brother's expression slowly relax, no longer as terrified and anguished, Jenna silently let out a breath. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.

After crying for a while, she stood up, walked to Julien's bed, picked up the blanket, and gently covered her brother, who was sleeping against the wall.

Once she had done all this, she dragged her feet back to the other room, the one that belonged to her and her mother, Elodie.

Jenna lay down, staring blankly at the dim ceiling faintly illuminated by the moonlight.

Her mind occasionally echoed with the words her mother had once spoken, but she could no longer convince herself.

Perhaps, except for a lucky few, darkness is the main theme of life, and light is just a rare embellishment.

Suddenly, Jenna grabbed her mother's pillow and pressed it over her face, her body wracked with sobs.

Why? Why is it always darkness, with no hint of light?

When will the sun rise again?

She didn't know when, but eventually, Jenna drifted into a fitful sleep.

She was startled awake by a noise from outside.

She sat up, rubbed her swollen eyes, and hurried out of the room.

What greeted her eyes was Julien, calmly toasting slices of bread.

He no longer seemed to be in the midst of last night's breakdown or mental collapse, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Jenna's lips moved for a few seconds before she finally managed to speak in her usual tone, "You're up so early?"

Julien responded woodenly, "I didn't have dinner last night, so hunger woke me up.

"Just wait a bit longer; the toast will be ready soon."

Seeing her brother's state, Jenna didn't feel relieved; instead, she grew even more worried.

If Julien were still in the hysterical, breakdown state of last night, she would have felt sad, oppressed, and hopeless, but she wouldn't have been scared.

She would have taken him to see Franca by force, asking her to quickly find a real psychologist for him.

But now, she wasn't sure if Julien had truly recovered or if it was only his outward appearance that seemed normal.