Chapter 2

Jennifer's POV

When I returned to the apartment, the place felt cold and empty.

I walked into the bathroom and stripped off my clothes, which were caked with mud and sand. As the hot water streamed over my wounds, I couldn't help but shudder from the pain.

After taking a shower, I sat on my bed and leaned against the headboard. Then, I pulled out my phone and checked Sierra's social media page.

She had posted another photo.

The picture showed two steaming bowls of oatmeal. In the background, I spotted William's side profile as he busied himself in the kitchen.

The caption read, "He might've sounded harsh, but he still got up early to make me oatmeal for breakfast. Feeling very loved right now."

After letting out a wry laugh, I closed the app and called the head of the emergency department, Dr. John Fenton.

"Dr. Fenton, this is Jennifer Sutton. Are there still any openings for next week's medical aid mission to the western mountain region?"

Dr. Fenton sounded surprised.

"Aren't you getting married to William next month? The conditions in the mountains are extremely harsh, and the assignment will last two whole years. Are you joking?" he asked incredulously.

"I'm being completely serious, Dr. Fenton. If there's still a spot available, please put my name down."

The call fell silent.

A brief moment later, he asked again, "Are you sure about this, Jennifer? This isn't something to be taken lightly. There's a shortage of medical personnel and supplies over there, and transportation is rather difficult as well."

"I've made up my mind," I replied. "Thank you, Dr. Fenton."

Less than ten minutes after I hung up, Sierra deleted the breakfast photo. A moment later, William called me again.

"Where were you last night, Jennifer?" William asked, sounding slightly tired.

He continued, "You didn't answer my calls or respond to my messages. Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"You were worried about me?" I asked. "Is that why you spent the entire night at Sierra's and made her breakfast in the morning?"

For a split second, William was at a loss for words. Then, he snapped, "Why do you have to be so narrow-minded? The winds were incredibly violent yesterday. The tempered glass on Sierra's balcony shattered, and she ended up injuring her foot."

He went on, "Sierra is the sister of my colleague who died in the line of duty! Besides, I'm a rescue worker. If any other member of the public needed my help, I would've gone to help them all the same."

All of a sudden, Sierra's voice rang out in the background.

"Ah! It's too hot, Will! I'm sorry—I didn't mean to make a mess. I was just trying to get you another bowl of oatmeal…" she cried.

William's voice sounded distant as if he'd pulled the phone away from his ear. In a resigned tone, he instructed, "Don't move. Leave it there and let me do it. Your foot is injured, remember?"

Afterward, he came back on the line and said, "I don't have time for pointless arguments right now. Stay home and reflect on your behavior. Stop being so paranoid all the time."

The call ended there.

I stared at the darkened phone screen and suddenly felt at peace.

…

In the afternoon, I took a cab to the hospital all by myself.

My colleagues in the emergency department were shocked when they saw my injuries.

"What happened to you, Dr. Sutton? Did you get into a fight?" one of them asked in horror.

"I slipped during the hurricane and accidentally fell on some broken glass," I replied casually.

I had the wound cleaned and stitched up before receiving a tetanus shot. Then I spent the entire afternoon sitting on a bench as I received two bags of IV fluids.

I returned home in the evening.

The moment I opened the door, I saw William changing into his indoor slippers in the entryway.

He took off his uniform, revealing his muscular, sun-kissed arms. When he saw the bag of medication I was holding, he awkwardly looked away before walking over to help me carry it.

"Did you go to the hospital? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked. "What meds did you get?"

I turned away from him, dodging his touch as he reached for my hand.

William's hand froze in midair. His expression darkened as he demanded, "What's with the attitude, Jennifer?"

All of a sudden, his phone began to ring, and he proceeded to answer it in front of me.

"What's wrong, Sierra? Have you taken your meds?" he asked softly. "Don't be scared. The doctor said you'll be fine as long as you take your meds on time. That's right. Don't forget to lock your doors at night."

I walked past him and headed straight to the dining table. Then, I poured myself a glass of warm water and took my antibiotics.

After hanging up, William seemed a little guilty about the way he had spoken to me. He made his way over to me and hugged me from behind.

"Don't be mad, Jen. What happened yesterday was a rare occurrence. As a rescue team captain, I can't possibly ignore anyone who needs help, right?" he murmured, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

I caught a sweet, cloying scent of a woman's perfume on him.

Remaining perfectly still, I said emotionlessly, "You smell. You should go and take a shower."

He awkwardly released me and grumbled, "I was out helping with disaster relief work. What do you expect me to smell like? Fine. I'll hop in the shower now."