Chapter 2

I took a long breath before pushing the door open.

"Marcus, have you changed your bandages yet?" I asked.

Marcus was propped up against the headboard. The cool detachment in his eyes flickered, melting into something tender and apologetic the moment he saw me.

"Charlotte? What are you doing here? I told you to rest at home," he said.

He reached a hand toward me. His fingers trembled slightly in the air.

I crossed the room and wrapped my hand around his.

Cold. Almost startlingly so.

"I couldn't sleep. I kept worrying about you," I said. "How's the wound today?"

Marcus sighed, his other hand lifting to stroke my hair. The gesture was so gentle it could shatter a heart without trying.

"Same as always," he said. "Heals a little, tears open again. Guess I'm not blessed enough. Maybe God still thinks I haven't prayed hard enough."

He paused, guilt pooling in his voice. "I'm sorry. Looks like we won't be able to get married this year either. Give me another year, alright? I swear I'll get better. Next year I'll walk you down the aisle like a real man ought to."

If this had been the past, I would have cried on the spot and thrown myself into his arms, whispering that I didn't mind waiting.

But now, the thought only turned my stomach.

"It's alright, Marcus. Your health comes first. Since it's part of the family tradition, we shouldn't force it," I replied.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before it softened into gratitude.

"Charlotte… you're incredible. Meeting you is the greatest luck of my life," he said.

The door suddenly burst open.

Evelyn stumbled in barefoot, her small face streaked with tears.

She sobbed, her voice trembling, "Marcus… I got scared. There was thunder, and I was all alone in my room… I didn't know what to do."

She threw herself into his arms as naturally as breathing, looping her arms around his waist and clinging to him.

Marcus stiffened for a moment before he folded her into his embrace, patting her back in slow, soothing strokes.

"It's alright. I'm here. Didn't I tell you to take your medicine and go to sleep?" he said softly.

I sat beside them like an invisible extra, watching their little scene play out with perfect chemistry.

Then Marcus finally remembered I existed.

"Evelyn, stop. Charlotte's here," he said, his tone gentle but with a hint of warning.

Only then did she peek out from his arms, as if seeing me for the first time. Her voice wavered, trembling with innocence. "Charlotte, I'm sorry. I was just so scared. Please don't be mad at Marcus. He was only trying to help me."

Looking at her pale and delicate face, a memory surfaced. Three years ago.

When she was first diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, the Thornton family covered every cent of her treatment.

Back then, she called me Ms. Ashford and couldn't even look Marcus in the eye without blushing.

When did the change happen?

Was it when Marcus's first tattoo got infected? Or the first time he stayed out overnight because "she needed him"?

God, how stupid I'd been to only see it now.

"It's fine," I smiled, calm and distant. "If Miss Hawthorne can't be without you, then you should stay with her tonight.

"After all, you said we have a long future ahead of us, didn't you?"

Marcus froze. "Charlotte, you..."

I cut him off. "What? You don't want to? Then maybe Miss Hawthorne should let a nurse stay with her."

"No! No nurse!" Evelyn shrieked instantly. "They all bully me. I only want Marcus."

"Evelyn's situation is complicated," Marcus said, almost pleading. "Her therapist said her dependency is severe. I'll take her back to her room and stay until she falls asleep. Then I'll call you."

I swallowed the sour burn rising in my throat and nodded. "Alright. I'll wait for your call."

Just as I closed the door, I heard Evelyn's voice inside, bright with relief. "Marcus, you're the best. I knew you wouldn't leave me. Does your tattoo still hurt? Let me blow on it."

I leaned back against the cold wall, letting my eyes fall shut. Two silent tears slid down my cheeks.

That was the last time I would ever cry for him.