Dane wouldn''t have had the extra burden of caring for Wyatt; instead, he would have had another person helping him. His life would have been better, no matter how you look at it.
"And they''ve been guarding the 8th-generation virus for so many years. They are heroes," Tarquin continued.
Whether from a national perspective or because of the friendship between Kendrick and their family, he felt obligated to look after Dane and Wyatt for the rest of their lives.
Lowell understood his reasoning, but what he didn''t get was... "Why am I in charge? Why not you?"
"It''s inconvenient for me," Tarquin said.
"What do you mean, ‘inconvenient''?” Lowell pressed.
Tarquin lifted his gaze to Lowell, Evan''s words echoing in his mind. Evan had said Dane looked like a girl... He had paid special attention earlier, and indeed, the resemnce was there. He was a married man now; it wouldn''t be appropriate for him to take care of a young woman.
Tarquin''s lips moved, but he offered no exnation. It was Dane''s private business, and it wasn''t his ce to expose it.
"Just do it if I tell you to. Why all the questions? If you don''t want to, I''ll find someone else."
Lowell immediately backtracked. "I never said I didn''t want to! I actually like Dane, and now that I think about it, I feel pretty guilty about what I put him through. Don''t worry, I''ve got it covered. I guarantee I''ll make sure they live happily ever after!"
Tarquin remained silent. Seeing the doctor returning, he dropped the subject. About an hourter, Dane came back alone, carrying arge bup sack. "Did you get Wyatt back to the mountains?" the doctor asked. "Yes."
"Sigh, I don''t know what to say about him, always making trouble for you. What''s that you''re carrying?"
"I prepared a freshmb from the flock for them," Dane said. "It''s the highest sign of respect we have here. I wanted to apologize for Wyatt."
The doctor sighed again. "I talked to them. They don''t me you. They just think they were unlucky."
Dane grunted in acknowledgment and carried the sack into the infusion room.
Wyatt had already told him the whole story. Now, when he looked at Tarquin, his gaze was different.
Although his father and Wyatt had lived in constant fear because of Kendrick''s request, Kendrick had
saved his father''s life. He was
life. He
theth.
family''s benefactor And the son of a benefactor was a benefactor, too.
Dane was a man of deep feeling. There was much he wanted to say, but he knew this wasn''t the time or ce. He had to maintain the charade.
Steeling himself, Dane ced the sack at Tarquin''s feet. "This is one of our own
Tarquin and Lowell knew the item had to be in that sack. Their hearts pounded, but their faces remained impassive.
Tarquin didn''t speak, so Lowell responded politely, "You really don''t have to What happened has nothing to do with you. I know he''s not well, and it was my fault for not being more careful. Please, take the Tamb back. We can''t ept it."
look
Dane didn''t look at Lowell. Even though he knew the truth, it didn''t stop him from holding a grudge Deceiving him like that had been betrayal of his trust. Understanding the bigger picture was one thing, but feeling betrayed was only human.
However, Dane had no ill will towards Tarquin. He looked directly at him and said, "Take it. It''s the only way to make things right. If you don''t, I won''t have any peace of mind."
The doctor chimed in, “Just take it. That''s how Dane is. He hates owing people.
You''ll be giving him some peace of mind by epting."
Lowell feigned reluctance. "Alright then. Thanks."
Dane said nothing, turning to pay the medical bill.
Another hour passed. After the IV drip was finished, Tarquin and Lowell drove away. Dane personally ced the bup sack in their trunk.
After they left, the townspeople came over to gossip, all expressing sympathy for Dane. Everyone assumed Wyatt had caused trouble again, forcing Dane to spend money and give away amb. No one suspected a thing.
From a dark corner, a pair of eyes watched everything intently. Dane sensed it and spun around...