Chapter 2 I Do Care

Tears were welling up in Dorothy's eyes. She could not put on a tough look anymore.

"Alan, I thought I would lose everything. Fortunately, I still have you. I was so worried that you'd hate me and avoid me..."

Dorothy burst out crying.

Alan quickly unfastened his seat belt, leaned over, and hugged Dorothy. "Silly girl, I couldn't have been what I am now without you. There are two vital principles in my life: one is to save the dying and heal the wounded, the other is to protect you."

As a doctor, he must save people.

As Dorothy's boyfriend, it was his responsibility to cherish her.

At the man's sweet words, Dorothy's cry became even louder.

Alan stroked her back and let her vent the grievances accumulated in the past three years.

After a while, Dorothy poked her head out of Alan's arms and said, "I'm okay now. Let's go home. Your parents are waiting."

Alan touched Dorothy's nose gently, replying, "Okay. My mother often tells me that she likes your smile. When you smile, your eyes are more beautiful than the moon in the sky."

Dorothy wiped her tears and laughed happily. Alan was her bright moon in her heart, and she was willing to be a dim star around him.

Alan's parents had been waiting downstairs for almost half an hour. When they saw their son's car, they both laughed.

"Dorothy, here you are. Go home with us."

Emily Stuart, Alan's mother, took Dorothy by the hand and walked home.

Dorothy had not expected that Alan's parents would welcome her. She managed to stifle her tears.

"Look at your bony figure. Have a nice meal later. I have prepared your favorite dishes in person," Emily said.

Dorothy replied with a smile, "Thank you, Mrs. Shane. I think I can finish all of them as they are cooked by you."

Walking behind them, Alan was glad to see that they were getting along so well.

In the past three years, his home had witnessed great changes. It seemed that all the old furniture had been replaced.

Emily invited Dorothy to sit down. When Dorothy was seated, Alan was about to sit beside her but was stopped by Emily. She raised her chin slightly, saying, "You go there. I want to sit with Dorothy."

Alan sighed helplessly and said to Dorothy in an aggrieved tone of voice, "Now you're back. My mom forgets that I'm her son immediately. It's like you are her only daughter."

Dorothy lowered her head and flushed. She rarely saw that Alan complained to her like a child.

"You're right. I always treat Dorothy as my daughter."

Emily had said similar words before, but Dorothy found that there were implications in her words this time.

Dorothy did not know how to answer, her smile fading away.

Without knowing what was on Dorothy's mind, Alan continued, "Indeed. After I get married to Dorothy, she will still be your daughter."

With that, Alan put pork ribs in sweet sauce in Dorothy's bowl. "Dorothy, have some pork ribs. It's your favorite."

Dorothy nodded in embarrassment and ate with her head lowered.

The meal fell into an awkward silence. Somehow, Dorothy felt that the delicacy in her bowl turned bland.

Emily glanced at her husband, who kept quiet. She angrily put down her chopsticks.

"Alan, you are just 26 years old. Your career is unstable. And the housing mortgage has not been paid off. I think it's not the right time for you to get married now. "

Alan had no idea that his mother would say so right in front of Dorothy.

He hurriedly raised his eyes to Dorothy, knowing that she must be hurt. But as his parents were present, he did not know how to comfort her.

"Mom, Dorothy is not a snob. She won't dump me because I don't have my own place. The life before was bitterer than now, but she always supported me. I believe she doesn't care."

Emily suddenly frowned, calling out, "But I care!"