Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 30
Ethan didn’t turn down Albert’s offer.
For one thing, the man had staked his dignity as a man on it, and for another, he truly needed this chance.
“Oh, right, my daughter’s name is Clara Grant. She lives at 37 Fortune Drive in Green Maple City, phone number XX-XXXX-XXX. If you make it out alive, I’d appreciate it if you could pass on a message to her.”
“You’ve grown up now, and you’ll do just fine with or without me. I can finally shake off the burden of raising you. Without you around, life will be a breeze on my own.”
“Before, lugging you along as dead weight made my life miserable. Now that I’m older, I can finally enjoy myself, so I’m heading out to travel solo.”
“I want to roam far and wide, see the world, take in its vastness, experience different cultures, and live for myself for once.”
“There’s a notebook in my desk drawer back in my room with my bank card number and password. I’ve been a loser my whole life, nothing worth giving you, so consider this my farewell gift.”
By this point, Albert’s voice choked up, his hands trembling.
“And finally ... don’t come looking for me. I want to enjoy my retirement in peace. My life doesn’t need a ... burden like you...”
Ethan stayed silent but committed every word to memory, determined to relay Albert’s exact message to Clara.
“Is this really okay?”
He asked suddenly.
“This is for the best...”
Albert tilted his head back. In his current state, he couldn’t shed a single tear, yet Ethan sensed he was weeping inside.
“That girl’s tough on the outside but soft-hearted. If she finds out something happened to me, she’ll search frantically. I don’t want her knowing any of this.”
Ethan didn’t contradict him, though he figured if Clara was as sharp as described, she’d eventually suspect the truth.
Still, he couldn’t refuse Albert; he had to accept this favor.
“If...”
Albert’s lips quivered slightly.
“If one day she ends up in this world too, and you’re here, I’d hope you could lend her a hand.”
Ethan shook his head. “Neither of us wants to imagine that happening. Let’s not go there.”
After a pause, he added, “But sure, I’ll help if I can.”
Albert forced a faint smile. “Thanks.”
Something else occurred to him, and his expression turned serious again.
“By the way, watch out for one person in particular.”
Ethan looked up, meeting his gaze steadily. “I know. It’s Serena, right?”
Albert glanced at him in surprise.
“How’d you figure that out?”
Ethan replied calmly.
“I’ve known her for a few years now. She doesn’t realize it, but I’ve seen her true colors for a while.”
“I’ve overheard her on the phone a couple times, calling us patients useless freeloaders who just eat up resources, and cursing out families for being idiots wasting money, keeping her so busy with dirty, exhausting work.”
“But even so, she’s a dutiful nurse, probably afraid of complaints, so I’ve never given her a hard time.”
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