Chapter 6
So it turned out that Evelyn was more important to him than his own life.
Having gotten her answer, Annabelle withdrew her hand, swallowed the complex emotions that had gathered in her throat, and forced a strained smile.
“Alright. Since you want to get transferred, then go ahead. But I’ll still give Daphne a call. I don’t want her to be upset if anything happens to you.”
Then, she turned and left the room.
Before the door closed, she heard Nathan’s anxious voice. “I’m not getting transferred anymore, Anna. Don’t tell Daphne. I don’t want her to know.” What was he afraid of Daphne finding out? That he was injured? Or that they were secretly in a relationship? Annabelle didn’t know, and neither did she care anymore.
In the end, Annabelle didn’t give Daphne the call. She was still traveling abroad, and Annabelle didn’t want her to worry over such trivial matters.
She hired two caregivers to look after Nathan’s daily needs. Occasionally, when the caregivers brought her meals, they would tell her, “Ms. Winslow, Mr. Winslow asked about you again today. He asked us if you were angry.”
Annabelle simply hummed in response.
After she was done with lunch, she went to Nathan’s room, but he was nowhere in sight.
A nurse who happened to be tidying up the room casually mentioned, “The patient transferred to St. Althea Medical Center this afternoon.”
As Annabelle looked at the empty room, a self–mocking smile appeared on her face. She unlocked her phone and looked at the messages Nathan had sent her over the past few days. “Anna, I’m bored. Come over and talk to me.”
“We haven’t seen each other in three days. Don’t you miss me?”
“Don’t be mad. I’ll get you a gift after I get discharged, okay?”
Had she not known about Evelyn’s presence, Annabelle would’ve been under the impression that his clinginess was out of love. But after seeing how he treated someone he truly loved, she’d no longer delude herself.
After returning home alone, Annabelle contacted a real estate agent and put the apartment up for sale. Over the next few days, six or seven buyers came to view it. She set a low price for it so she could get it sold as soon as possible.
On the day the deal was finalized, Nathan returned just as she signed the contract. A look of surprise took over his features when he saw the real estate agent’s badge.
“You’re selling the place, Anna?”
Annabelle had no intention of hiding things from him, so she nodded.
He raised an eyebrow and looked around casually, “Yeah, I think the apartment is a bit too small too. Let’s move into the bungalow in Evermere. I bought it several years ago, and it’s been empty all this time.”
Annabelle didn’t give him an answer. After seeing the agent out, she changed the subject. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Much better, Bells. I knew that you still cared about me.”
Nathan smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lowered his head to kiss her. As his warm breath brushed against her, Annabelle instinctively turned away. She kept a straight face and lied to him under his surprised gaze, “I’m on my period.”
Nathan let out a soft sigh. “Belis, I’m not thinking about doing those things all the time. We haven’t seen each other for so long. Can’t I just miss you and want to kiss you?” Annabelle thought that was unlikely. But she didn’t have the energy to play along with his affectionate act anymore, so she made up an excuse to go wash up and rest. Nathan didn’t step out of the house for the next two days.
Annabelle took a box and cleared out all of Nathan’s things. Be it their couple mugs, the razor she’d bought him, the gifts he’d bought her, the pictures they’d taken together at photo booths, or all the daily necessities, she left nothing behind and threw them all away.
just then, Nathan stepped out of the study and saw the emptied room. A sudden unease crept into his heart.
“Why are you throwing all these things away?”
“Aren’t you moving into the bungalow in Evermere? I’m clearing out the clutter.”
Annabelle came up with an excuse, ridding, Nathan of his suspicions.
Noticing how down she looked, he took her to an auction that evening
When they got there, he bought up to eight pieces of jewelry on display without any hesitation. Everyone in the exhibition hall looked at Annabelle with envy, but she wasn’t the least bit
interested
Just as they got ready to get up, Nathan’s phone rang
Annabelle turned and let: for the restroom after glancing over and seeing that the call was from Evelyn.
