, Herschel didn't respond at first, sending a chill down my spine. I quickly reached out and grabbed his arm.,

"Herschel, Herschel...

", After a heavy sigh, Herschel slowly opened his eyes. He seemed a bit out of it as he looked at me,

"Felicia, I almost didn't wake up just now.

", My anxiety spiked,

"Herschel, I'm calling the doctor.

", But Herschel held onto me, his voice weak,

"No need to make a fuss, it's happened before. Just sleep paralysis.

", I had always thought of sleep paralysis as a mere spooky story, but now, with his serious illness, his cancer, it seemed like it could be more than just a simple case of sleep paralysis—a warning sign of his condition worsening., Although I wasn't a doctor, I had enough common sense, not to mention my friend Fanny, who's a real MD.,

"Herschel, I'd really feel better if a doctor checked you out,

" I insisted, going ahead and calling for a doctor anyway., The doctor ran some routine checks and concluded that Herschel was fine. Apparently, he had just been in a deep stage of sleep where you can hear people calling you but can't wake up.,

"See, I told you it was nothing,

" Herschel chuckled, teasing me for worrying too much., But he didn't see the concern on my face, and I didn't have the heart to show how upset I was, only replying,

"Better safe than sorry. You keep saying you're fine, and now here you are in the hospital.

",

"Getting old is like being a machine that needs some fixing. It happens,

" Herschel seemed to take it all in stride., It was hard not to admire Herschel's positive attitude, especially when dealing with Jacqueline's endless dramas., But despite his easygoing nature, sickness still found him. They say stress can bring illness, and though his cancer wasn't caused by any immediate stress, the situation with Conrad certainly didn't help., And I felt partly responsible-if it hadn't been for me, Herschel wouldn't have gotten so worked up.,

"Herschel, you've got to learn to let, go at your age. Let go of worldly worries, stop fretting over your children,

" I paused,

"Conrad and I are over, and whoever he chooses, you and Jacqueline shouldn't bother.

" , Herschel remained quiet, obviously harboring a grudge. He could be pretty stubborn at times., I massaged his arm.

"Herschel, do you believe in fate?

", He didn't answer, so I sighed,

"I do. What happened between Conrad and me was meant to be.

", I looked off into the distance,

"Just, like my parents knew. They were orphans who built a life together, from having no one to being loved. They could have had a good life, but then the accident took them That was their fate.

" , Not meant to enjoy family bliss or live to see their children cared for and loved., Perhaps my words were too, pessimistic. Herschel shook his, head,

"Felicia, your parents never, believed in leaving things, fate.

", , He was right. My parents always said we control our destinies. As long as you don't resign yourself to fate, you can change it., Yet, fate took them from me., Thinking about the accident made my heart heavy, and I also thought about my doubts regarding Herschel.

"I'm sorry, Herschel.

" Herschel smiled, asking,

"Why bring this up all of a sudden?

",

"Herschel, I went to look into my parents' accident. I went to the traffic department to check the records,

" I confessed., Herschel was silent for a moment before sighing,

"You're as stubborn as ever.

",

"Yes, stubborn and headstrong, you know that,

" I joked along., Herschel shook his head in resignation,

"You little rascal...

", I pinched him playfully,

"Calling me a little rascal makes me feel like I haven't grown up yet.

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