Hearing Lily's voice, Charles set aside his documents. He then picked her up and placed her on his open palm before gently stroking her on the back.0

"Don't worry so much. Where there's a will, there's a way. Trust me."0

As Charles' hand glided over Lily's body, it finally sank in that the once soft and furry little mouse was no longer the same. He could clearly feel the bones underneath her saggy skin.0

"Mr. Charles, I don't even dare to look in the mirror now. Am I very ugly now?" Lily asked, her voice tinged with melancholy. 0

"Of course not. You're still our adorable little Lily." Charles lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on her sunken cheek. "Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"0

"I'm not hungry. I'm just… a little sleepy now. I'll take a short nap." As soon as Lily's words fell, her eyelids slowly...1