Chapter 21 Chapter 21 : There Was No Hiding It From Him Mr. Hughes didn't say anything , just stared at me . I lowered my head . " When did this happen ? " It had come to this . I knew I couldn't hide it from him anymore . " I'm not exactly sure . I just started feeling off a little while ago , so I went to get it checked out , and then ... I got the diagnosis . " Mr. Hughes's hand , resting on the table , clenched into a fist . " What did the doctors say ? " " The doctors said there might be some experimental drugs overseas . The real reason I've been making such a fuss about going abroad was to get treatment . " " Nonsense ! " W N W AL 1 Mr. Hughes shot to his feet , his whole body trembling . " I had someone look into it . They said that with your condition , there's nothing anyone can do ! Aubrey , I might be old , but I'm not senile yet ! " I was afraid his voice would carry downstairs , so I quickly ran over to him , trying to calm him down . " Mr. Hughes , please don't get worked up . Think about your blood pressure . " " How can I not be worked up ? " Mr. Hughes grabbed my wrist , shaking all over . " Aubrey , why didn't you say something sooner ? If we had caught it early , I would have found you the best doctors in the world , arranged the best treatment plan ... we would have had time ! " " Mr. Hughes ... the truth is , it was already late - stage when I found out . " I forced a dry laugh . " Why'd you suddenly decide to look up my medical records , anyway ? Totally caught me off guard . " Mr. Hughes sank heavily back into his chair . He was silent for a long time before he finally spoke . " You've been acting too strange lately . You were always trying everything to help Hayden get his memory back , but then you suddenly gave up . Not only that , you started pushing him and that Miss Pearson together . I knew something had to be wrong . " " I can't get anything past you , can I ? " " You had me fooled at first . I thought you were just genuinely tired and didn't want to keep fighting for it . And Chapter 21 with another option showing up , I figured you just wanted a fresh start . But then I met that young man you brought home . It was obvious you two barely knew each other. That's when I knew you were lying to me .' " ... I just wanted you all not to worry . " " You may not be our biological daughter , but you grew up in this house ! When you suddenly started acting so out of character , how could we not worry ?! " I asked , " Does Madam Hughes know ? " " She doesn't know yet , " Mr. Hughes said , closing his eyes . " This family ... we really can't take another blow . " I couldn't agree more . When Hayden first went missing , the Hughes family nearly fell apart . They finally got him back , and now , I was about to leave . Mr. and Madam Hughes were kind , loving people . They couldn't bear the pain of losing a child all over again . My nose started to sting . " You know , you really shouldn't have dug into it so much . You could have just let me go , pretended I was off living my best life with Julian overseas . Everyone would have been happy . " " But would * you * be happy ? " Mr. Hughes shot back . " You wanted to create this illusion that you were moving abroad so we wouldn't worry . But what about you ? Are you happy ? " I stubbornly held my ground . " What else am I supposed to do ? I just want to spend what little time I have left being happy with all of you . I don't want to watch everyone be sad . " Mr. Hughes gave a bitter laugh and covered his face with his hands . In the end , I was the only one who returned to the dinner table . Hayden looked at me . " Where's Dad? " " Mr. Hughes took his medicine and felt a little dizzy , so he's lying down to rest . " Madam Hughes looked concerned . " Is he alright ? " I waved my hand dismissively . " He's fine , he's fine . Come on , everyone , keep eating ." Isabelle Pearson said , " Aubrey , we didn't start without you and Mr. Hughes . " " Well , get started then ! What are you waiting for ? The food will get cold , and we can't let Mrs. Webb's amazing cooking go to waste . " I started eating on my own . But I kept my head buried low . I didn't dare look up . 2/4 Chapter 21 I was terrified that if I did , Hayden would see my tear - swollen eyes . Isabelle , naturally , didn't notice a thing . She asked with a cheerful smile , " Madam Hughes , you should pick a name for the puppy . " Madam Hughes seemed a bit troubled . " Oh , I can't think of any good names on the spot . " " Just call her Candy . " Hayden's sudden suggestion made everyone pause . Isabelle immediately protested . " Hayden , how could you ? The puppy's cute , but you can't give her the same nickname as a person ." Madam Hughes chimed in , " Exactly . That wouldn't be right . " Hayden's eyes found mine . " What do you say ? " I shrugged , stuffing a forkful of vegetables into my mouth . " I'm cool with whatever . It doesn't matter to me . " " Then her name is Candy . C - A - N - D - Y , like the sweet ." I just nodded . " Whatever you want . " I quickly finished my food , then stood up . " You guys take your time . I'm going upstairs to check on Mr. Hughes . " As I walked up the stairs , I heard Isabelle ask Hayden , " Hayden , why'd you want to call the puppy Candy ? You scared me for a second . I was really afraid Aubrey would get mad . " " It's a nice name , " Hayden said , his voice full of conviction . " She won't get mad . " " It is a nice name , hehe . " 44111 A long time ago , Hayden and I had a puppy , too . She was a little stray I'd found behind the school . It was pouring rain , and she followed me all the way home , looking absolutely pathetic . I couldn't leave her , so I brought her back . I adored that puppy . I'd cook her special dog - friendly meals , and at night , she'd sleep right beside my pillow . Hayden was not a fan . He had to compete with the puppy for my attention over every little thing . If I made his dinner before I made the puppy's , he'd scoop her up , lean against the kitchen doorway with her in his arms , and gloat , " See ? She made my food first . Your mom loves me more . " The puppy , as if she understood , would just whimper nonstop in his arms . And then Hayden's heart would melt . He'd rub her head and say softly , " It's okay . Daddy knows how to make 3/4 Chapter 21 puppy food , too . I'll even add extra meat for you . " I used to laugh at him . " We're kids . What's with all this ' mom and dad ' stuff ? " Hayden would just raise an eyebrow . " Just practicing . We'll need it sooner or later . " " So , are you going to name your daughter , then ? " Hayden thought for a moment . " Let's call her Candy , just like your nickname . That way , when I get home from work , I can call out ' Aubrey , ' and both my big Aubrey and my little Candy will come running to greet me . Ah , just thinking about it makes me happy . " But he never got to live that happy life . Not long after we got Candy , he had his accident . A year after he went missing , Candy died from parvo .