Chapter 186 Keeping Distance From Each Other


    Ann lowered her eyes.


    She understood what Melinda was trying to say.


    Melinda had threatened Phillip that she wouldmit suicide if he wouldn''t let go of Ann. Still, for him,


    it was impossible to give up on Ann.


    He took his mother''s advice and left for another country. But he didn''t change his color, and he was


    capable of doing things that would make his mom even more furious.


    Melinda saw through his son, so she decided to step back.


    And she promised they could stay in touch with each other as friends.


    Ann gave out a light smile and withdrew her hands from Melinda.


    She spoke in a tender voice, "I don''t think you keep worrying about us. I know we should keep in touch


    as friends, but it is just out of expediency, nothing extra involved. I will keep a distance from him, for


    sure.


    It is good for Nikki as well. Or I should say just because of her, I won''t allow myself have anything to do


    with Phillip outside of our friendship. I hope you can have some faith in me this time."


    Melinda quietly observed the girl in front of her who looked somewhat simr to herself. She began to


    get a bit emotional.


    But she couldn''t show mercy on her this time.


    Things with Hilda had not been exined yet. She could not allow any ws or idents to ur


    before things unravel themselves.


    If there was someone to me, it was Ann. She fell in love with Phillip.


    Otherwise, Melinda was willing to try her best as a mother topensate for all the years she owed to


    her son.


    "Ann, I''m sorry. You can me me now for things turning out this way. But, I will make it up to you when


    all this mess is over."


    Things developed so fast, she had no other option but to dismiss their love.


    Ann looked at Melinda''s beautiful face. She couldn''t tell Melinda''s concern was real or not, so she fell


    into silence and moved her gaze away.


    ...


    Outside of the ward


    Aydan walked out of the elevator holding a stack of documents. He spotted Ann, who was standing


    outside Phillip''s room.


    He walked over to her, frowning.


    "Why aren''t you going in?"


    Ann was a little shocked when she heard the voice behind her.


    She turned around. Aydan was standing in front of her. She pursed her lips in a daze.


    "Aydan, I have heard from Phillip''s doctor that he has been in a good statetely. In that case, I don''t


    see any reason to stay with him anymore. I think I''ll leave for now ."


    Aydan frowned, "What do you mean by this? I was looking forward you to taking care of my brother.


    Are you saying you don''t want to?"


    Phillip had waited for her for an entire day.


    Ann refused to answer that question. She pursed her lips and found an excuse to cover her emotions.


    "I have some emergency to tackle, and I don''t have much time left, I need to hurry."


    "What''s so important? We''re already at the door and your urgent business can''t wait for even a


    moment?" Aydan wasn''t convinced by her answer.


    Ann looked through the door. She was aware that Phillip could hear everything she said, but she made


    the hard decision to say anyway.


    "Yes, it can''t be dyed, even for a second."


    She pressed the elevator button and made her way downstairs, without waiting for Aydan to speak.


    Phillip and she were just friends, but even if they were, they should keep their distance from each other.


    Out of the elevator, Ann was on her way to her father''s ward.


    Daisy had taken Nikki to attend some school activities. During this time, Ann didn''t want to go home.


    Instead, she would keep her father''spany at his bedside every night.


    Hoping that one day he woulde back to his consciousness.


    Her phone rang out of nowhere, and it was Fred.


    "Hi, Fred ?"


    There was Fred''s gentle voice on the other side of the line.


    "Hi, Ann. It is me. I am at the entrance of the hospital. It happened to be my birthday today. Would you


    like to have dinner with me?"


    ...


    Ann returned to the ward, made sure her father was okay and asked the nurse to keep an eye on him


    before she returned.


    Then she ran out of the hospital in a hurry. She saw Fred leaning on his car in a light gray casual suit


    and radiating with a gentle smile.


    Ann walked to him looking apologetic and breathless.


    "Fred, I''m sorry. I forgot that today is your birthday. I feel guilty that I didn''t take the time to prepare a


    gift for you."


    It seemed that Fred wasn''t bothered by this. He opened the car door for her like a gentleman.


    "It is okay. I don''t have any friends in River City. I am d you can make the time for dinner. It is all I


    needed."


    When Ann heard this, she felt even more guilty.


    She met Fred overseas. From then on, she had been blessed with his help.


    She was his one and only friend at home. She couldn''t return his favor, instead, she asked him for


    more favors, such as asking him to be her fake boyfriend.


    Now, she didn''t even prepare a birthday present for him.


    At the thought of this, she felt like she owned him too much.


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    She said, "Fred, how about I be the one who invites you to the dinner tonight?"


    Fred turned to look at her with a gentle smile.


    "It is my honor to be invited by you."


    Ann became the host, and it was up to her to decide where to eat, what to eat.


    If the ce was too expensive, she couldn''t afford it with her current finance. Besides, Fred might find it


    not special if she took him to eat western food.


    After thinking for a while, Ann decided to take Fred to the night fair in the bustling area of River City.


    The luxurious Aston Martin stopped at the intersection of the night market, looking a little out of ce.


    Ann squinted at Fred and waved her hands to show her hospitality.


    "Fred, you said you wanted to see where I grew up. This is where I grew up! I often came here when I


    was a kid. You can find everything to eat and drink here. Help yourself tonight. It is all on me!"


    Fred smiled at Ann. Behind her, there was a lively crowd on the streets.


    But, in his eyes, there was only Ann, who was smiling and radiating.


    "Fine! I will make the best of it!"


    It seemed he had a good time from his trip back to the country.


    ...


    Ward A01, at the Harmony Hospital.


    Phillip was about to eat his food on the folded table in front of him. The food was made by a famous


    chef. It looked delicious.


    The TV in front of the hospital bed was broadcasting the local news of River City.


    It seemed to be a food broadcasting channel, and the picture was fixed at this moment.


    In the picture, there was a young couple. Thedy was attractive, and the guy beside her was


    incredibly handsome.


    The woman was holding a palm-sized cake with a few candles stuck on it. She had a wrinkled nose,


    but it was because of her smile, she seemed happy and spoiled.


    The man''s hand was stained with cream, and it seemed like he was about to put it on the women''s


    face.


    Phillip stared at the television in front of him. His face darkened. It seemed like his body went frozen.


    The atmosphere around him became intense.


    Aydan was sitting on the sofa at the other side, still holding the remote control in his hands.


    It seemed he wanted to p himself for allowing Phillip to watch the food channel at the wrong time.


    Phillip clenched his hands into a fist. He got furious.


    ''This was the thing that couldn''t wait for even a second?'' he thought.