“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.
out
in the indifferent look on Winnie’s
What else can I expect from her? Do I expect her to comfort me because she’s the only one
hindsight, he found
Winnie and decided to endure the pain
he was about to leave, a sharp pain struck
not withstand
Winnie knitted her
immediately went over to
okay? Since we’re now at the hospital, should we
thanks.” Nate sounded weak. “I just
you up.” Mary carefully supported Nate and helped him sit on a
finally had the chance to take a good look
worry. “Mr. Nate, you don’t look good. Are you
the back of the chair and told Mary, “You don’t need
Nate’s weakened voice and how he refused Mary’s offer of assistance. Those words brought
of silence, she asked Nate, “Do you have any medicine on
Despite his weakened state, he did not want Mary
turned his head with some difficulty to look at Mary. “I
Mary instinctively agreed to his request as she felt
Mary realized something was amiss. She turned to Winnie for advice. “Mrs. Fairchild, should
I’ll stay here and
Mary said before walking
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