“Anemia from miscarriage. Plus too much stress. That’s why you fainted. During the check-up, the doctor did not stop scolding us, saying that we suck at taking care of people. On a side note, look at that scumbag, Lyle. You saved him in front of so many people, yet he didn’t even repay the favor. Instead, he carried Crystal away.
I’m not sure a scumbag is a fitting title for him anymore. How about a b*stard? Yeah, that sounds way better. Why did you even save him? If he had died, you would have been given the authority over his finances. With that amount of money, you could have found a second lover in no time.” Sabrina clicked her tongue as she shook her head.
I let out a dry laugh. She had a fair point. I was an idiot, so stupid that I had forgotten about myself. Every time the scene in the restaurant crossed my mind, my heart sank and my lungs felt heavier. The man I loved would never be beside me when I needed him most. Instead, I would be abandoned again and again. What other hope did I have?
“Why were you in the restaurant yesterday? And with… Christopher?” I could not help but inquire.
“Oh, that. That was a coincidence. Christopher has wealth, power, and impeccable looks. As a rich bachelorette, he and I got set up on a blind date. We do make a good match, don’t you think?” Sabrina flashed me a wide grin as she leaned forward to inch closer to me.
“Yes… A good… good…” For some reason, I found it difficult to say the word “match.” Have I truly lost everything? Even the last bit of warmth?
The door of the bedroom suddenly swung open. In walked Christopher wearing an apron with a cartoon bear printed on it. He walked over with a tray and placed it in front of me. On top of the tray sat a bowl of porridge. He made sure everything was alright with the drip before turning to me. “Eat. I just cooked this. You must be hungry.”
His long fingers looked as defined as the sculptures in the museum. Still hazy, I accepted the porridge and took a few bites. My mind was still in a blur as I could not make heads or tails of the situation. Why is Christopher here? Is he here for Sabrina?
“Pfft!” Sabrina must have found my dazed look funny. She laughed heartily before patting my shoulders. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Seeing your disappointment, I almost feel like I’m as despicable as Crystal. Almost.”
She then turned and nudged Christopher toward me, puckering her lips. “Here, this is the man who took care of you the entire night without a wink of sleep and the one good enough to cook for you. A piece of advice, you should really show your gratitude. I suggest repaying him with your affection.”
Speechless, I stared at my hand as Sabrina placed it in Christopher’s. She quickly strode out of the bedroom after that. Before she closed the door, she sneaked me a cheeky wink. “By the way, I only showed up yesterday because I received a call for help from him, abandoning my own boyfriend for you. I’m a good enough friend, don’t you think?”
As she closed the door shut, my brain got even foggier. What on earth happened? Why is it that I can understand all that she was saying, but at the same time I can’t make sense of it?
“Christopher…” I whined.
“Eat first.” The man could not help but chuckle at my confusion. He took the bowl from me and started feeding me. “Open your mouth, darling. Ahhh…”
A blush crept up my face. Darling? Such a title was far too cheesy and intimate. I quickly snatched the spoon from him. “I can do it myself.”
He shrugged, not insistent on feeding me. He then took a seat on a chair by the bed, keeping his eyes on the drip bottle as he did so. When the liquid inside the drip bottle almost ran out, he placed his hand over mine. “It might be a little painful. You’re gonna have to bear with me.”
“Just pluck it out. I’m not that spoiled.” After all, it was just a needle. That was nothing compared to all the hurt and pain I had experienced in the Tanner residence. I was confident that I would not be bothered.
“Hah!” Christopher gave a low laugh. “I wonder who was the one who bit my arm in pain last night.”
My face started to grow hot as I retorted meekly, “How was that possible? I’m not afraid of needles!” Sabrina’s words played in my mind. I don’t want your teeth on my arm when you cry out in pain. A blur memory resurfaced at that moment. A doctor had been approaching me with a needle. At the sight of the sharp point, I had started yelling and crying out for my mother.