“Winnie? What are you doing here?” Nate picked up his pace and walked toward Winnie when he saw her from a distance.
Winnie recognized his voice immediately, but Mary did not know who he was because he was wearing a hat and a mask.
Mary put her guard up and stepped forward to protect Winnie, asking, “Excuse me, sir, but who are you? How can Mrs. Fairchild help you?”
When Nate realized Mary did not recognize him, he removed his mask and revealed himself. “It’s me, Nate.”
“Oh, Mr. Nate.” Mary dropped her guard and retreated, greeting him by saying, “No wonder Dr. Houghton said he saw someone who looked like you just now.”
At first, Nate looked collected, but as soon as Mary spoke, he pulled up his mask and quickly scanned his surroundings. It was as if he was afraid of being discovered.
Seeing how Nate suddenly became nervous, Mary grew concerned and asked, “I’m sorry, Mr. Nate, did I say something that made you uncomfortable?”
“Nope.” Nate glanced at Mary before asking Winnie, “You didn’t tell Josiah, did you?”
“Of course not.” Winnie frowned slightly. “I don’t really want to discuss your gossip with anyone. Besides, I promised you, didn’t I?”
Upon noticing the disdainful look on Winnie’s face, he quickly apologized to her, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to question you. It was just a reflexive reaction. There’s something I want to tell you. Can you ask Mary to wait outside? Just a little further from here will do.”
Winnie’s frown deepened. “What is there to talk about between us?”
Rendered speechless, Nate paused for several seconds before regaining his composure. “I-I just… I’m sorry for disturbing you. I’ll leave now.”
Winnie hummed in response but otherwise remained silent.
let out a
on Winnie’s
on, they had since grown apart. What else
hindsight, he
and decided to endure the pain
he was about to leave, a
pain was so intense that he could not withstand
Winnie knitted her
immediately went over
Are you okay? Since we’re now at the hospital, should we take you to the doctor?”
weak. “I just need
Nate and helped him sit on
finally had the chance to take a good look
not help but express her worry. “Mr. Nate, you don’t look good. Are you sure you don’t need
and told Mary, “You don’t need to worry about me. Just
at the sound of Nate’s weakened voice and how he refused Mary’s offer of assistance. Those words
a moment of silence, she asked Nate, “Do you have any medicine
replied weakly. Despite his weakened state, he did not want Mary to
at Mary. “I need
instinctively agreed to his request as she felt Nate was
realized something was amiss. She turned to Winnie for
ahead. I’ll stay
Mary said before walking toward the other end of the corridor
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