Chapter 4

Before she could speak, Jerald's expression darkened, and he reproached her, "I told you to wait for my friend to pick you up. Why didn't you? Do you realize how dangerous it is to faint on the road? If a passerby hadn't called for help, who knows what could have happened!"

Cathleen looked at him, feeling as if something was blocking her heart, causing a dull ache.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say that if he had just turned back to check on her at that time, he would have known her situation couldn't possibly allow her to wait for his friend.

She wanted to say that when she tried to hail a cab by the roadside, she was shaking all over, and her vision was so blurred she couldn't even see the car plates.

She wanted to say that in the last second before losing consciousness, she was still wondering if he would suddenly come back for her.

But the words on her lips dissolved into silence.

She quietly watched him, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.

Jerald, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, averted his eyes and softened his tone, "The doctor said your fever hit 103.6°F and triggered pneumonia. You need to stay in the hospital for a few days for observation."

Cathleen still didn't speak. She slowly closed her eyes, not wanting to look at him anymore.

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened, and Evelina walked in, carrying an elegant insulated lunch box.

Seeing Cathleen awake, she smiled, quickly walked to the bedside, and touched her forehead, playfully chiding Jerald, "Jerald, look at you, she is so sick, and you're still being so harsh with her."

As she spoke, she lightly punched Jerald's arm in a familiar, intimate manner, "Go get Cathleen something light for lunch. She's just woken up and won't have an appetite for greasy food."

Jerald glanced at Cathleen, seeing her still with her eyes closed, lost in thought. He nodded reluctantly, picked up his coat, and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Evelina's smile vanished without a trace.

She straightened up, looking down at Cathleen on the bed, her eyes filled with hostility and mockery.

"Cathleen," she lowered her voice, dripping with malice, "do you really think acting like this will make Jerald stay with you?"

Cathleen opened her eyes and met Evelina's gaze, feeling her heart tighten.

Evelina chuckled softly, walked to the window, and continued with her back to Cathleen, "You're just the daughter of his deceased friend. He's only looking after you because he feels it's his duty. Do you really think he would have special feelings for you? Last night, he was drunk and mistook you for me; that's why he acted like that. You won't really think he likes you, will you?"

"And that cello he gave you," Evelina turned around, looking at Cathleen's pale face, her smile growing more triumphant, "do you think he bought it especially for you? I was the one who had my eye on it. He thought it suited me better and bought it as a gift for me. You just got to it first by chance."

Every word pierced Cathleen's heart.

Her whole body trembled slightly.

Evelina seemed pleased with her reaction, walked to the bedside, and leaned down, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Cathleen, you should face the reality. There has never been anything possible between you and Jerald. You'd better behave, or don't blame me for driving you away."

With that, she straightened up, adjusted her clothes, and returned to her gentle, harmless demeanor.

Cathleen looked at her false smile, feeling a wave of nausea.

She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the hurtful words, but the pain in her heart only grew clearer.

It turned out that all the tenderness and care she thought she had received from Jerald were just her one-sided fantasies.

The door opened again, and Jerald returned with lunch.

Seeing the two sitting quietly in the room, he paused and asked, "What happened?"

Evelina immediately stepped forward, took the lunch from his hand, and smiled, "Nothing, I was just telling Cathleen to take good care of herself. Once she's better, I'll take her to a concert."

Jerald glanced at Cathleen, seeing her still with her eyes closed and her face pale, he nodded and didn't ask further.