To Be the Perfect Childhood Friend - Chapter 66

Having finally found an emergency kit, Anita acted as if she had discovered some ancient artifact. Avoiding the shards of a plate scattered on the floor, she reached Rutger’s bed.

Rutger, who had been silently watching Anita rummage through the box, asked what he had been curious about.

“Why don’t you ask?”

“Well, I’m not that curious.”

It was a lie. Even her eyes betrayed her curiosity, and she found it amusing how Anita pretended not to be interested. Anita was someone whose thoughts were often transparent through her expressions, but she seemed unaware of it.

Having received a solid upbringing regarding respecting others’ privacy since childhood, Anita knew better than to inquire about someone else’s family matters. Moreover, with a father who was a lawyer, she was well aware of how diverse and unique family situations could be.

“It’s not my dad.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, he’s not my biological father.”

Although Rutger tossed the statement casually, but Anita wasn’t listening, too busy wiping the blood from his hand and wincing as if she’d hurt him.

“Aren’t you mad at me?”

“Huh? Angry? What are you talking about?”

Having wiped away the blood and discarded the cotton, Anita finally looked up at Rutger.

“I took it out on you yesterday for nothing. Aren’t you angry? If it were me, I’d just leave you alone, whether you got hurt or not.”

His sky-blue eyes were fixed on Anita. Somehow, she felt that Rutger wanted to explore her mind or was in the midst of searching for something.

“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have written about you.”

“What? But I…”

“I sometimes lose my temper with my parents for no reason. Still, the next day, they act as if nothing happened. It’s not like I committed a crime or anything; it’s just something that can happen.”

“But I’m not his son.”

“…….”

Anita applied medicine to Rutger’s hand, preventing the flow of blood, and then tightly wound a bandage. He was unaware of how his hand was faring as he waited for Anita’s response.

“Isn’t that right?”

Anita often volunteered at orphanages, following in her father’s footsteps. While there were good children, most of them were fierce and sensitive. Once, when Anita was hit by a hard plastic doll and started crying, her father said:

“Anita, you shouldn’t exaggerate. It’s not allowed here, even if you do, do it at home.”

“Why? That kid threw something at me first. I want to go home.”

“You have everything. Those kids have no family and are in an unstable environment. So, you should treat them kindly.”

“…….”

“Anita, Rutger is hurting inside. His body may be fine, but emotionally, it’s not a lie. So, please try to understand a little.”

Anita and Rutger’s eyes met. Rutger no longer waited for Anita’s response. The moment their gazes met, he blurted out:

“Do you, pity me?”

“…….”

“Who asked you to pity me?”

“Rutger, calm down. You’re a patient, lie down and rest a bit.”

“Get out! I said get out!”

Anita simultaneously understood and didn’t understand Rutger’s situation. Was it wrong to empathize with someone who was going through a tougher time than her? She had been taught by her father to be kind and receive kindness in return. Was that a mistake?

Nevertheless, Anita obediently left the room. Patients with physical pain can become more sensitive. Rutger was a patient, so he needed rest.

Anita closed the door and went downstairs with the first aid kit.

“Anita, what’s that in your hand?”

“Oh, Mrs. Sarah.”

As she was about to leave the front door, Sarah happened to open it and come in.

Anita pondered for a moment. If she told Mrs. Sarah, Rutger would surely get angry. However, a patient needed a caretaker. Anita couldn’t check his temperature, apply medicine, and change the bandages every hour.

“Rutger got hurt.”

“What?”

Anita took out medicine and bandages in front of Sarah and left Rutger’s house.

Despite having performed good deeds as her parents taught her, Anita felt uneasy. Standing in the middle of the garden, she silently contemplated.

A family without conflict, where someone comforts Anita when she’s hurt, treating and healing her wounds—imagining such a scenario.

I don’t know.

As long as my limbs are intact, a warm bed to lie in, and meals, isn’t that enough? That’s what her father said.

Nathan Rodel was one of those who believed in his superiority. As evidence, he didn’t believe in God. He scorned those who prayed before meals or went to church, considering them ignorant and lazy. Instead of praying, he believed it was better to read an extra book to refine oneself.

In reality, he was born in a poor and unfortunate family. However, with effort alone, he graduated at the top of the best university, became a lawyer, and even disdained those who prayed or went to church.

“Father, is having compassion for the less fortunate a bad thing?”

When Anita suddenly asked this question during dinner, Nathan was irritated by who on earth had put such unnecessary thoughts into his daughter’s head.

“Anita, what did I tell you? I was born in a desperately poor family. I had five younger siblings lined up beneath me. It was a difficult environment. The ceiling leaked when it rained, and in winter, we had to survive on a bowl of watery porridge for the day.”

Anita regretted the question she had brought up. Her father began the story she had heard countless times before. Anita’s mother, Miranda, rolled her eyes and sipped her wine.

“I was sent to school and supported to study by someone who sponsored me. Compassion? Can you achieve success with such soft emotions? Instead of wasting time on that kind of useless thinking, you should seize opportunities. Who cares what others think of me? That…”

“Well, getting one more piece of bread and an extra candle during that time for studying is better, right? I know too.”