Chapter 3

Yosef had always been frail. I had learned medicine from my father, so ever since I came to Sherman Manor, I had been the one looking after Yosef's health.

Yosef was notoriously fussy, so every nourishing food I made for him was simmered carefully to hide the bitter herbal flavor as much as possible.

Back then, I had to get up before dawn every single day to prepare his nourishing food. Now that someone else had taken over the job, only then did I realize what kind of life I used to lead—five whole years without ever sleeping in.

Perhaps the nourishing food someone else had prepared was so terrible that Yosef came looking for me on his own. "Nina, are you getting back at me on purpose? Why has the nourishing food I've been given tasted so awful lately?"

I set down my book and replied calmly, "Mr. Yosef Sherman, you've got the wrong person. I handed this over to the butler two months ago. Who he put in charge after that, I have no clue."

Yosef frowned, his face full of annoyance. "Are you mad at me?"

I was not mad; I finally figured things out. "No, you were the one who said you never wanted my nourishing food again. I was going along with what you wanted."

Yosef paused, taken aback, finally recalling what he'd said during Thanksgiving Dinner.

A hint of panic flashed in his eyes. "I was talking nonsense that day; I didn't mean any of it. Don't take it to heart, okay? Fine, I'm sorry. Are you happy now?"

I let out a mocking laugh. How could I not care after being yelled at right to my face?

Yosef thought it was unintentional, but he had no clue how many times I'd cried over those cruel words.

He had no idea how much trouble his attitude caused me behind the scenes. If Yosef looked down on me, why would anyone else treat me any better?

*****

Days went by, but I never found the right moment to bring an end to the engagement with the Sherman family.

Then, one winter day, the butler sent word that Yosef had collapsed in the Velvet Dining Room. I snatched up my medical kit and hurried out, only to find all the Sherman carriages had been sent out.

If I delayed any longer, there was no telling how much worse Yosef's condition might become. Without a second thought, I rushed straight out into the freezing rain and snow.

The Sherman family had always been so kind to me, and Yosef was their only son. The thought of them being heartbroken was more than I could stand.

The wind howled, and sleet soaked through my hair and clothes as I struggled forward against the storm.

By the time I finally reached the Velvet Dining Room, my limbs were numb from the cold, and even my hair was stiff with ice.

The owner of the Velvet Dining Room invited me to her room to change and warm up with some ginger tea, but I waved her off. Right now, Yosef's condition was all that mattered. Catching a cold was the least of my worries.

I burst through the door, anxious and shivering, only to freeze the moment I saw Yosef. He was sitting there, perfectly well, his cheeks flushed. He didn't look sick at all.

Yosef blinked at my bedraggled appearance, then broke into a smile and nodded at the small hourglass in front of him. "Fifteen minutes. It looks like I win. No cheating, you all have to admit defeat."

His friend slapped two checks onto the table, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yosef, you really have your fiancée wrapped around your finger. She's practically at your beck and call. Don't keep all your tricks to yourself. Share them with us."

"Come on, spill it. Ms. Hart's right here. Let's see if you really train her like that."

I stood there, struck dumb, my entire body trembling.

Yosef had actually gambled with me. A wave of anger, humiliation, and grief crashed over me, and my knees went weak. The medical kit slipped from my shoulder and hit the floor with a heavy thud, cutting their conversation short at once.

Guessing he realized he'd crossed the line, Yosef put a cloak over my shoulders for once. "Come on, we were messing around. Don't take it so seriously."

I sniffled, fighting back tears. "So you messed with me because of some stupid bet?"

"No, that's not it. Diana accidentally twisted her ankle. Come with me and check on her."

Without waiting for my response, Yosef took hold of my arm and forcefully pulled me into the next room.