Chapter 5

I got in the car and arrived at the entrance to an old doctor's office in the city's traditional medicine hospital.

He opened the door.

He looked surprised for a moment when he saw me. "Charlotte, is that you?"

I nodded politely in greeting. "Hello, Mr. Carter. I got back last night."

His eyes were red as he patted my shoulder and stepped aside. "Come in and have a seat. Have you eaten yet? Jane made some sandwiches. Want some?"

I smiled and said yes.

George Carter was the doctor who used to look after Amelia's health.

I was always the one picking up her medicine, and after a while, he realized I wasn't really welcome at home. He'd often invite me to stay for lunch.

But later, Amelia found the medicine too bitter.

My parents switched to another doctor, but I still kept visiting him.

Six years ago, when I first found out Leon had stomach issues, I went to George for a remedy.

I asked him for something specifically to help with digestion.

I ended up making traditional medicine for Leon for three years; he got a lot better and eventually stopped taking it.

"After you left, no one ever came to pick up medicine from me again. Serves him right." George spoke with righteous indignation, caring more about me than the so-called family ever did.

My eyes stung a little.

George finally got around to asking, "Charlotte, you didn't drop by to visit me, did you?"

I scratched my cheek, feeling a little sheepish. "Actually, Mr. Carter, I was hoping you could help me with some more stomach medicine."

With a loud bang, he slammed the plate down on the table. His wife, Jane Carter, yelped and swatted him. "Geez, why are you banging things around? You're gonna scare Charlotte."

He grumbled, "Let her be scared. That brat's already married to Amelia, and she's still running around getting medicine for him."

I rubbed my nose, feeling a little guilty. I guessed old habits die hard. George never thought to ask if the medicine was for someone else.

Honestly, I couldn't blame him. Back then, Leon was my lifeline, my only way out of that suffocating cage. If he so much as caught a cold, I'd cry myself breathless.

"It's not for him," I said.

George was still sulking, but at those words, his scowl faded, and his eyes couldn't help stealing a glance at me, curiosity written all over his face.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "It's for Julian."

His eyes lit up, and he started clapping his hands in delight. "Charlotte, is something going on between you and Julian?"

I felt a little embarrassed. "Not yet. Our families are thinking about setting us up."

George slapped the table and shot to his feet, practically bursting with excitement. "No need to hesitate; go for it. I told you from the start that kid's a keeper."

I was completely confused. "From the start?"

Wasn't he the type who never cared about anyone back then?

George gave me that mysterious, knowing look. "Back then, after you got together with Leon, Julian would come to me all the time, covered in bruises, asking for medicine."

I was even more confused. "What does that have to do with me?"

He snorted, acting a bit grumpy. "Of course it does. He was trying to warn Leon to treat you better and stay away from Amelia. He kept dragging him out for basketball games; really, it was to settle some scores between them.

"He was worried you'd feel sorry for Leon, so he always aimed for his backside, but let himself get hit in the face and arms on purpose. Honestly, he was basically flirting with a clueless girl; you never noticed him."

I was totally stunned.

I knew they played basketball together.

I always figured it was guys being guys.

Who would've thought that Julian, who always looked so serious, was actually getting into those one-on-one games with Leon because of me?

No wonder Leon would disappear for days after those games, refusing to see me.

He even told me Julian was always losing to him, acting shady, and hanging out with troublemakers.

So whenever I saw Julian with bruises, I'd steer clear of him.

I was at a loss for words.

George looked at me, sighed, and didn't say anything more. He got up, went back to his room, and came back with the medicine. "Honestly, this medicine should've been for someone else a long time ago."

Since I had to meet Julian at noon, George urged me to get going.

With the medicine in hand, I walked out, still feeling a bit dazed the whole way.

When I got home, my mom was taking a nap, and my dad and Leon had already left for work.

Amelia was sitting on the couch, looking like she'd been waiting for me on purpose.

As soon as she spotted the medicine in my hand, her expression changed in a flash, and she lunged at me, trying to grab it.

I knew all her moves, so I stepped back and dodged her. "This medicine isn't for Leon."

I spoke before she could. Between us, I knew exactly what she was thinking without her needing to say a word.

Amelia shot me a glare. "Yeah, as if you'd have the guts."

She slumped back onto the couch, leaning against the armrest and shooting me a cold look, her voice full of warning. "Keep your distance from Leon, unless you want everyone to think you're some shameless bitch making moves on your own sister's husband."

Her face twisted as she spat out those words. I'd seen that face in the mirror a thousand times.

At this moment, I still thought she looked ugly.

She always showed her true colors when no one was watching, ever since we were kids.

I carried the medicine straight into the kitchen. "You don't have to be so worried about me. You two are already married, and honestly, I'm not into leftovers."

Behind me, the vase smashed to the floor.

I barely blinked. I grabbed the pot from the stove and started cooking up the medicine.

Julian would be here in three hours, so I needed to hurry.

It was only for one person, so I didn't have to prepare much.