WITH HIS brows furrowed, August waited for Maxine to speak. However, after a few seconds, Maxine did was to heave a sigh repeatedly. Her lips opened and closed like she was contemplating what to say.

“It's okay,” August assured her when he saw her pained expression. “If it's that hard to say, then you can keep it to yourself for now—”

“Master Charles is sick,” said Maxine as she suddenly found the courage to speak.

“What?”

August was stunned. He blinked his eyes twice, his lips parted in shock, and he even forgot to breathe because of the shock he felt.

“I'm sorry.” He leaned his face towards Maxine. “Pardon?”

The tip of his brows pressed more as he waited for Maxine to speak again. He wanted to believe that he just heard her wrong.

But by looking at how tears cascaded from Maxine's face, he knew that he heard everything right. He was just in denial of it.

“Master Charles… is sick,” Maxine spoke again slowly and with a lower voice this time.

August closed his eyes, feeling the sudden