Chapter 2
Robert returned the next morning.
Enola had just finished breakfast when she saw him walk in. She was about to explain what had happened the night before, but he grabbed her hand without explanation and pulled her along before she could say a word.
The car sped down the road, eventually stopping in front of a hospital. Robert still didn’t let go of her until they were standing by Chloe’s hospital bed. Only then did he finally speak for the first time that day.
“Apologize to Chlo.”
Enola pressed her lips together, refusing to respond. Her resistance was evident.
“Why should I apologize for something I didn’t do?”
Robert’s eyes darkened with disappointment as he watched her turn her head away, unwilling to admit fault. Neither of them was willing to back down first. It was Chloe who eventually broke the stalemate.
“It’s okay. Ennie is still young. Maybe she’s just not used to seeing you with someone else and is throwing a childish tantrum.”
“She’s only a year younger than you. Besides, she’s an adult now. What’s so young about that?”
What was meant as a soothing remark twisted into something else in Robert’s ears. His expression darkened even further as he turned back to Enola, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Apologize. Right now.”
The explanation Enola had been holding onto was swallowed back down. Looking at the grim expression on his face, she realized he had already decided she was at fault.
She opened her mouth to speak but suddenly felt exhausted. She no longer had the energy for another pointless argument.
Perhaps falling in love with Robert had been an unforgivable mistake from the very start. Because no matter what happened, she was no longer someone to be trusted in Robert’s eyes. His first instinct would always be to believe she was at fault.
“Sorry.” After a long standoff, Enola finally relented.
Robert should have felt relieved, but as he watched her sudden drop in spirit, an unfamiliar discomfort settled in his chest.
She didn’t care how he felt. To her, once the apology was said, the matter was over. Enola casually found an excuse and turned to leave, as she didn’t want to linger around as an obstacle between them.
“I need to use the restroom.”
Then, Enola used cold water to splash her face, cooling the frustration burning inside her. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and pressed her lips together.
People always favored the ones they cared about more, and Robert was no exception. Just like how he doted on her before, Chloe was that person to him now. Even so, maybe this was for the best.
With that thought, she turned to leave the restroom. But as soon as she stepped outside, she noticed him standing a short distance away, as if he had been waiting for her.
Just as she was about to walk past him and leave, Robert suddenly spoke, “Chloe wants chicken pot pies from Larry’s Deli. I need to stay with her, so go buy them and bring them here.”
Enola remained silent for a moment but didn’t refuse.
As they brushed past each other, his voice rang out again, carrying an inexplicable weight, “I’m going to marry Chloe. You should get those ideas out of your head for good.”
Enola’s steps halted for a brief second, but she didn’t turn back. “Don’t worry. I’ve already moved on. In a month, I’ll be…”
“Let’s hope you mean it.” Before she could finish, Robert interrupted her and then walked away.
She walked quite a distance away before suddenly calling out, “Do you like Chloe that much? We’re the same age, so why is it okay for her but not for me?”
Robert turned back, and his gaze was sharp with warning. “Yes. It’s possible for anyone else—just not you. Don’t bring this up again.”
She nodded obediently. “Got it. I won’t.”
…
The hospital was on the east side of the city, while Larry’s Deli was on the west. Not only was it far, but there was always a long line because of its good reputation. Enola waited a long time before finally getting an order and rushing back to the hospital.
She handed the pies to Chloe while panting, only for her to take one bite and then toss them into the trash with a look of disgust.
“They’re cold. It’s not good at all. Forget it, Ennie. Why don’t you go get me a cake from Morris Patisserie instead?”
Enola said nothing and turned to meet Robert’s gaze. After a long pause, she nodded and said, “Okay.”
Morris Patisserie was closer to the hospital than Larry’s Deli, but it was just as much of a hassle. After finally getting the cake and bringing it back, Chloe took a single bite before setting it aside.
“Oh, shoot! I forgot to tell you that I don’t like this flavor.”
And so, Enola spent the entire afternoon running errands for her. Only when Chloe finally found nothing more to nitpick did it come to an end.
Fortunately, Robert didn’t ask Enola to go to the hospital again after that day. She avoided the place entirely, and by doing so, she also avoided Chloe’s endless trouble.
But on the day Chloe was discharged, a knock sounded at Enola’s door just as she returned home.
“The class rep is organizing a gathering. Why don’t you come along?”
Enola was about to refuse when Chloe suddenly pulled Robert over and spoke in a playful, coaxing tone, “Don’t say no so fast. Staying home all the time is so boring. Robert already agreed to go with me, and we haven’t seen everyone since graduation. You should come, too!”
When he was dragged into the situation without warning, Robert seemed slightly helpless but didn’t correct her. Instead, he simply indulged her with a soft look.
Then, all that warmth disappeared when he turned to Enola. His voice was cold and firm as he said, “Chloe is doing this for your own good. Don’t make things difficult for her.”
Enola forced a smile, swallowing the bitterness and self-mockery in her heart. She had no choice but to nod in agreement.
