High fever

Maria stepped out from the villa.

The Previously sunny day suddenly turned gloomy.

She walked step by step towards the main road. Her heart was bleeding in pain. Whether it was Lily's threat today to make her promise to help Mia act, or Lily's final questioning about her and Charles, every word felt like a needle, piercing fiercely into her heart.

Truly, the maternal love easily acquired by others was a luxury she could only dream of.

It was something she never had.

But she was a child too. Like other children, she yearned for her mother's love and care…

Suddenly, a few flashes of lightning appeared in the sky, followed by the rumbling of thunder. Maria seemed oblivious, continuing to walk mechanically on the road.

The next second, a heavy rain poured down. Maria walked on the sidewalk. The rain wet her entirely as it flowed down her hair.

There weren't many people on the road, only the occasional cars racing by.

With open eyes, Maria trudged along. She let the rain wash over her, l