Twelve years had passed, and Taronia was experiencing an exceptionally harsh and unforgiving winter.

The doctor had come to give the old woman an injection, but her skin no longer allowed him to find her veins.

He shook his head at Irene before leaving.

Tears rolled down Irene's face as she watched the doctor leave.

"Irene..." murmured the old woman weakly.

Irene swiftly wiped her tears away and calmed herself before turning around and heading back to bed.

"Don't be afraid, Grandma. The doctor forgot to bring the medicine. He is heading back to the clinic to take it." Irene did not want the old woman to worry.

The old woman had been bedridden and ill ever since she had tripped and fallen a year ago. Had Irene not tended to her carefully, she would have passed away a long time ago. After a year of fighting to survive, the old lady felt weak and weary. She had no energy left to continue the fight. She had been unable to eat for three months and had wasted away. She had become a