Chapter 2
“All right, stop crying now. I’ll put some medicine on it for you.
He gently patted my head to soothe me as he got up to grab the first aid kit, muttering along the way.
“Look at you–such a big girl, but still afraid of pain and always crying. What would you do without me?”
I stared blankly at the red burn mark on my wrist.
“Yes, I’d been spoiled for a full seven years. What would I do without him?”
“But, Ethan, I don‘ t want you anymore. I don’t want this fake love anymore.” I said to myself.
That night, I couldn’t sleep well and woke up covered in sweat.
Just as dawn was breaking, Ethan pulled me out of bed.
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I grumbled, trying to push him away, but he just chuckled and leaned in to kiss me.
Instantly, all my sleepiness vanished. I almost slapped him, but barely managed to hold myself back.
Luckily, it was just a quick kiss.
“Awake yet, my Sleeping Beauty?”
I turned away, wiping my mouth in disgust.
“It’s the weekend. Why can’t you let people sleep in?”
Ethan looked helpless. “Did you know you had a fever last night? Get up; I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Although I felt mostly fine, I couldn’t argue with him, so I reluctantly got up.
In the hospital corridor, we unexpectedly ran into Amanda.
It looked like she had hurt her foot and was struggling to hop down the hallway on her
own.
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Ethan, who had been gentle just moments before, instantly frowned.
Forgetting I was beside him, he rushed over to Amanda and held her, asking in concern, “What happened?”
Amanda smiled at him, looking past him toward me.
“It’s just a sprained ankle. What a coincidence; you two are here for a checkup too?”
Ethan’s expression froze. He glanced back at me, his eyes shifting.
“Yeah, my little sister‘ here had a bit of a fever, so I brought her in for a check- up.”
I had grown used to being called “sister” by now.
From the moment Ethan decided not to go public with our relationship, he introduced me as his friend’s little sister, someone he was helping to look after.
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Only his closest friends knew of our true relationship.
Amanda nodded. “She’s staying at your
place, so of course, you have to look after her carefully. You two go on; I need to head over there.
She gestured toward the other clinic on the opposite side.
Seeing her start hopping again, Ethan didn’t think twice before scooping her up in his arms.
“Let me take you over. Emma, wait here for me.”
For some reason, as soon as I saw Amanda, I suddenly felt weak, drained of all energy.
I leaned against the wall, saying nothing.
Ethan hadn’t actually asked for my permission. After those words, he was already carrying Amanda toward the other
clinic.
The fact, no matter how well he acted,
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when faced with Amanda, genuine feelings slip through, betraying the facade.
And Ethan didn’t even realize it.
I forced a bitter smile, turned and walked to my own clinic.
Apparently, it wasn‘ t just in my head; after checking my temperature, I learned my fever was as high as 41.3°C.
The burn had become infected, worsened by my recent emotional stress, leading to a viral infection that required IV treatment.
Out of habit, I reached for my phone to call Ethan, but stopped myself before dialing.
Habit was a terrifying thing.
I gave a self–mocking smile, put my phone away, William to get my medication and headed to the IV room alone.
