Chapter 4

Sophie timidly pushed open the hospital room door, her eyes red rimmed, her slender fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

She bit her lip, her voice barely a whisper. "Avery, I'm sorry."

Sebastian rushed over, slipping his arm behind her protectively, like he was worried she'd fall over any second.

"I... I didn't mean to..." She sniffled, tears falling right on cue. "I was just... so scared."

She lifted her tearful eyes to Sebastian, looking like a scared little doe. "Sebastian, you're the only family I have left."

Sebastian frowned with aching tenderness, gently patting her back. "Don't cry. No one's blaming you."

I leaned back against the headboard, quietly watching their act.

"Avery..." Sophie suddenly started toward me, but her legs buckled halfway, and Sebastian caught her around the waist before she could fall.

She collapsed into his embrace, her voice shaky. "I know you hate me... but... Sebastian's really all I've got."

Sebastian gave me a reproachful glance, his tone softening. "She's had a rough time lately. Can't you cut her some slack?"

Sophie let out a perfectly timed sob, pressing her face against his chest.

He instantly tightened his hold around her, whispering softly, "It's okay, Sophie. It's okay."

I watched him stroke her hair, so natural, like he'd done it a thousand times before.

"Just bear with it a bit longer, okay?" Sebastian said to her.

Suddenly, Sophie tore herself out of Sebastian's arms and collapsed at my bedside, stumbling as she went.

She clung to the edge of my blanket in a death grip, her knuckles bone-white.

"Avery... please..." Tears streamed down her face, splattering onto my blanket as her voice cracked with desperation. "Please, give Sebastian back to me. He's all I have left in this world."

She lifted her tear-soaked face. "Without him... I'll die..."

Sebastian rushed over and swept her into his arms.

"Don't say that." His voice came out trembling, his fingers unsteady as he brushed the tears from her face. "You're going to be okay, I promise."

Sophie leaned into his chest, her frail shoulders trembling with sobs. "But Avery... she hates me."

She lifted her tearful eyes to Sebastian. "Should I... die?"

"Enough," he cut her off sharply, but his voice went soft right after. "Don't do anything stupid."

He glanced at me, his eyes begging. "She's really not okay right now..."

"Avery." Sophie started sobbing again, gripping Sebastian's shirt. "I promise, once I'm better, I'll let you have Sebastian back."

He looked up at me, his eyes full of pleading. "Once she gets better..."

Sophie trembled in his arms, her fingers clutching his shirt.

Sebastian immediately lowered his head, his voice impossibly soft. "Don't be scared. I'm right here."

I turned my gaze away, staring out the window.

Sebastian let out a soft sigh, his voice gentle but with determination. "Once Sophie gets better, I'll make it up to you. I'll take you on an island vacation, like we promised on our wedding day."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Sophie suddenly went rigid in his arms.

Her fingers suddenly tightened around Sebastian's collar, her breathing quickening.

"Make it up..." she echoed, her gaze growing distant. "You're going to... make it up to her?"

Her voice turned sharp. "What about me? Don't you love me anymore?"

Sebastian immediately panicked and cupped her face. "No, Sophie. Listen to me..."

"Liar!" Sophie suddenly screamed, her voice hysterical as she clawed at her own hair. "You're all lying to me!"

She pointed at me, her face streaked with tears. "She's the one you love, isn't she? You're going to leave me, aren't you?"

Sebastian frantically tried to hold her as she thrashed, his voice full of desperation. "Sophie, calm down. I swear, you're the only one I love."

He frantically wiped the tears from her face. "I only said that to calm her down... Don't take it seriously."

Sophie's sobs suddenly stopped, and she looked up at him, still sniffling. "Is... is that true?"

"Of course it is." Sebastian let out a sigh of relief, gently kissing her forehead. "You'll always be my Sophie."

He turned to me, his eyes showing a hint of guilt but staying firm. "You get it, right?"

I watched them calmly, a mocking smile tugging at my lips.

Sebastian looked like my expression cut him deep. He pulled Sophie into his arms and hurried out of the room.

From the hallway, Sophie's tearful voice echoed faintly. "Sebastian, you have to keep your word."

And Sebastian's gentle voice followed. "When have I ever lied to you..."