Chapter 3

For my sake, at least they didn't start fighting the moment they saw each other anymore, but their faces stayed frosty, and neither of them was about to get friendly.

The only time things ever warmed up between them was after Sean nearly died on a mission and barely made it back alive.

Flora took me to the hospital.

She stormed right up to Sean, who was still lying in bed, and slapped him hard. Her eyes were rimmed with tears as she yelled, "Can't you be more careful? If something happened to you, what would my sister do?

"I might hate you for stealing her from me, but we grew up together. I don't actually want anything bad to happen to you.

"Nydia loves you so much. She's waiting for you to come back and marry her. Can't you think about her for once?"

Sean's eyes were red, and for the first time, he didn't say a word back. He just lowered his head and mumbled, "I know."

I was really happy back then.

The two people I cared about most finally broke the ice and started getting along.

On my wedding night, Flora hugged me and cried for ages, her hand gently brushing my wedding dress, her eyes full of love. "I'm so glad. My little sister finally found her happiness."

When she found out I was pregnant, Flora ran around taking care of everything for me, making sure I had everything I needed.

She softly touched my belly and said, "You and Sean, make sure you take care of each other."

Wrapped up in my own happiness, I couldn't help but notice how alone Flora always seemed. I kept hoping she'd find someone special too. "Flora, you've been single all these years. Haven't you ever liked anyone?

"Actually, we just got this MIT PhD parachuted in as our new manager. He's good-looking and single. Want me to set you two up?"

Before I could finish, Sean set his cup down with a loud thud. "Honey, stop meddling in Nydia's business. She can do whatever she wants. Why do you always have to interfere?"

His voice was so icy and abrupt, it startled me.

Flora snorted. "What, you jealous just because my little sister's caring about for me?"

Sean shot back, "My wife just got pregnant and she's already worrying about you. Can't I be a little upset?"

Back then, I just watched them and smiled.

Looking back, there were clues all along, but I was blinded by so-called love and family, unable to see the truth.

I never noticed the restraint in their eyes.

Now, I finally saw it.

I finally got it.

Watching Sean squatting by my hospital bed, I just closed my eyes. "I'm tired."

The smell of alcohol hit me hard in the middle of the night.

Flora rushed in, her voice low, barely holding back her anger. "I was only gone for a bit, and you're already wasted?

"Is this how you look after my sister? Come outside, now!"

Sean obediently followed her out.

I opened my eyes and followed them out.

Maybe Sean had drunk too much.

Normally so alert, he didn't notice I was behind him. When they reached the stairwell, Sean pinned Flora against the wall and cut off her words with a kiss.

Flora struggled, pounding on his back, but in the end, she wrapped her arms around his lean waist and kissed him back.

When Flora responded to his kiss, Sean tightened his embrace, as if he couldn't bear to let her go.

They finally pulled apart, both gasping for air, and Sean softly kissed away the tears on her face.

Flora begged, "Please, don't take this mission, okay?

"You heard what the doctor said today. Nydia's really not doing well. She can't be without you."

Sean interrupted her. "What about you?"

He stared into Flora's eyes, searching her face, and pressed again, "What about you?"

Flora's tears streamed down her cheeks as she beat on his chest. "Sean, you know. You know exactly how I feel."

Sean sighed, wrapping Flora in his arms. "I know, but I need to hear you say it.

"I want you to say it out loud, Flora... Ten years ago, you came to me crying, telling me Nydia liked me. You said as her big sister, you couldn't fight your own sister for me, so you pushed me toward her.

"The night before Nydia and I got married, you put on her wedding dress and gave yourself to me, but you never said a single word.

"Flora, why can't you just say you love me?"

Flora covered her mouth, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. "I love you, Sean. I really do. But what good would it do to say it? Would anything change? We've already hurt Nydia so much. She's your wife, and I feel so guilty for what we've done to her.

"If you hadn't spent the day with me hiking and helping me clear my mind, you could've been with Nydia. She's pregnant, and it's easy for her to get anxious... She needs you by her side more than anyone."

My hand slowly tightened.

My stomach churned.