Chapter 5
The moment she appeared, the entire group froze on the spot.
But Fidelia was quick to recover. With Xavier nowhere in sight, the polite mask she wore before vanished. She cast a pitying glance at Loretta, her tone laced with condescension.N
“So, you heard all of that? Maybe it’s for the best. It’s sadder to be left in the dark, isn’t it? Listen, sweetheart, you’re just a bit player in the story between Xavier and me. My advice? Walk away now, before you get in any deeper.”N
With that, she turned on her heels and strode off, her stilettos clicking sharply down the hall.
An uneasy silence descended, broken only by the awkward, stammering explanations from Xavier’s group of friends.
“Loretta, it’s not… it’s not what you think, it’s-“N
They all wanted to explain, but none of them could find the words–because everyone knew the truth was exactly what it looked like.
Seeing how uncomfortable they were, Loretta didn’t press for answers. She simply turned and walked away.
When she reached the street and was about to hail a cab, a bright pink sports car sped through a puddle beside her. Dirty water splashed up, soaking most of her clothes.
Loretta’s eyes narrowed as she looked over; through the tinted window, she caught a glimpse of Fidelia’s face, twisted in smug Satisfaction.
“Bit player, if you don’t know when to bow out, don’t blame me if things get even uglier for you.“N
With that parting shot, Fidelia sped off, leaving Loretta standing in the street.
Loretta pulled out a tissue from her purse and slowly wiped the water from her face. Tossing the damp tissue into a nearby trash can, she tilted her head back and stared up at the brilliant blue sky. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
A bit player?>
No. She had never been anyone’s supporting act.
It was Xavier who had just made his exit from her story.
Back at home, Loretta nibbled on a light dinner, washed up, and went straight to bed.
At three in the morning, the bedroom light snapped on. The door burst open and Xavier, drunk and barely able to stand, stumbled inside. He pulled Loretta, startled awake, into his arms.
“Why do you have to torment me like this? You know I can’t let you go. Why won’t you give me one more chance?”
“You know I love you, yet you go on blind dates right in front of me. Do you enjoy humiliating me? Does it make you happy to see me in so much pain?“}
“Fine. I’m hurting. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you–just don’t leave me. Just stay mine.”
Loretta looked at his anguished face, then gently pushed herself out of his grasp. As Xavier collapsed onto the bed, still mumbling Fidelia’s name, she let out a bitter, self–mocking laugh.
So, this is what it’s like to love someone this much.
So, our three years together really meant nothing to you after all.
Her eyes red, Loretta grabbed a pillow and left the room, quietly switching off the light behind her.
The room plunged into darkness. Xavier continued to mutter drunkenly, but there was no one left to listen.
The next day, Xavier didn’t wake until noon. His head throbbed with a splitting hangover as he forced himself upright.
Loretta was by the window, quietly sorting through her jewelry. Watching her slender silhouette, flashes of memory flickered through Xavier’s mind, and he froze.
‘Did I say anything stupid last night?“%
She shook her head, and Xavier felt a wave of relief wash over him.
He reached up to rub his temple, then winced as his fingers brushed a wound.
Loretta turned just in time to see the injury on his hand, inflamed from neglect and the effects of last night’s drinking.”
As a pilot, Xavier couldn’t afford to let injuries linger. Only now did it occur to him that he ought to take care of its
“Where’s the first aid kit?” he asked.E
Loretta didn’t reply She simply turned and fetched the kit from the living room.
“It has everything you might need,” she said quietly
Chapter 5
Xavier gave a skeptical smile. “Come on, how could it possibly have-”
But as he opened the box and took in the assortment–cold medicine, antacids, painkillers, every type of ointment and bandage–he fell silent.
“You put all this together?” he asked.}
She nodded. “Yes. You’re a pilot–you can’t afford to get sick or injured. I made sure to keep everything on hand, so you’d have it when you
needed it.“}
Her words echoed in Xavier’s mind, and suddenly a thousand small memories rushed back at once.}
He remembered all those late nights when he came home drunk and she would stay up to make him a sobering broth. Whenever he mentioned craving something, she’d immediately look up recipes and try to cook it for him. Through every minor illness or injury he’d had over the years, she was always there, quietly taking care of him.§
He recalled, too, how Genevieve Kingsley had always told him that Loretta was raised as a pampered only child, never expected to lift a finger at home–and that he, as her boyfriend, ought to take more responsibility. He was older than her by several years, but it had always
been Loretta who looked after him.
A swirl of regret and guilt washed over Xavier as he watched her. He wanted to say something–anything.
But then he saw her pick up her purse, clearly not intending to bandage his hand, but to leave.}
Are you heading out?” he asked, surprised.}
