There were some things I’d rather not think too deeply about. As for the idea of reconciliation, I was just about to speak when Alvin cut me off, his voice firm. “It’s all a misunderstanding. Let’s just forget about it.”


    Before I could even process what was happening, my hand was gripped tightly, and Alvin was pulling me toward the door.


    His grip hurt, and it was clear he was upset. I thought, ‘Is he jealous?’


    The thought barely crossed my mind when he let go of my hand, his gaze icy. “Zoe, are you really going to take your frustration out on me just because of one sentence?”


    I froze, not expecting him to think that way.


    “I didn’t-” I started to exin, but he interrupted me.


    “Did you touch him? Did you touch him there?” His jaw was clenched, and there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes.


    Now I understood. He was definitely jealous. The rush of relief that washed over me surprised me.


    It seemed he still cared about me. If he only saw me as a sister or a friend, he wouldn’t have reacted like this. He wouldn’t have minded if I touched another man.


    “No,” I said firmly.


    At that moment, Jed came out, whistling as he approached. “You subus, are you trying to hit on Alvin again?”


    Looking at Jed’s smug grin, I couldn’t help but wonder which past life had cursed me with a connection to him.


    As the siblings approached, I couldn’t help but notice Thea, her moonlit beauty shining through. It reminded me of the moment she touched Alvin. I instinctively slipped my arm through his, but I could feel his muscles tense under my touch.


    “You’re still spouting nonsense,” Thea said, pinching Jed’s ear to silence him.


    She stood in front of me and Alvin, her face soft with apology. “Alvin, Zoe, I’m really sorry.”


    “It’s not your fault,” Alvin replied, then turned to Jed. “If you cause any more trouble, no one’s going to bail you out next


    time.”


    Jed shot him an angry look. “Who do you think you are? If you’re willing to be Thea’s husband, maybe I’ll listen to you.”


    “Jed!” Thea scolded him again, hitting him for good measure.


    Jed dodged the blow and muttered, “Thea, he’s obviously into you. Why else would he spend all his time looking after you?”


    My hand tightened around Alvin’s arm. I thought, ‘So, all thosete nights when he was missing from work, disappearing for hours at a time… was he really with her?’


    It made sense. She was his friend’s widow, and after her husband’s ident, of course he’d want to help her.


    I thought, ‘But does it really have to be every day? Spending so much time together, to the point where others might think it is more than just caring for her?’


    “Stop talking nonsense.” Thea’s face flushed red. She pped Jed again, this time harder.


    The seventeen-year-old rebel raised his hand to defend himself, but in doing so, identally pushed Thea off bnce,


    causing her to stumble.


    Before I could even react, I felt a shove from behind and almost lost my footing.


    By the time I steadied myself, Alvin had already sprinted to Thea’s side, dropping to one knee in front of her. “Thea, are you okay? Where does it hurt?”


    *I… I’m feeling pain in my stomach, Alvin.” Thea’s voice was weak, her hand clutching his arm for support.


    “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital. Just hang on.” Alvin’s voice wavered with panic.


    I stood there, frozen, watching them. I’d seen Alvin in countless situations, but this was the first time I’d seen him so frantic… and it was all for another woman.


    Alvin gently helped Thea into the car, then shouted back to me, “Zoe, drive.”


    I was still standing there, motionless.


    “Come on, hurry up! If anything happens to my sister, you’ll be the one to pay!” Jed stormed over, grabbing my arm in


    anger.


    Something inside me snapped. Without thinking, I pped him across the face, hard. “Don’t touch me.”


    The sound of the p echoed, leaving five bright red finger marks on his pale face. Both Thea and Alvin froze in shock, and Jed just stared, stunned.


    He probably didn’t expect me to p him, but it only took a second for him to lose his temper. He raised his hand to strike me, shouting, “You bitch…”


    “Jed!” Alvin’s voice was ice-cold. “If youy a finger on her, I’ll have you locked up again.”


    The threat worked. Jed hesitated, then shot us both a re before storming off.


    “Jed!” Thea called after him, but then she winced in pain, clutching her stomach. “It hurts so much, Alvin. Please, take me to the hospital.”


    “Zoe!” Alvin called again.


    Seeing Thea in so much pain, I pushed all my feelings aside. I quickly got in the car and sped toward the hospital.


    At the hospital, Alvin rushed Thea inside, urgently telling the doctor, “She’s pregnant, and she fell earlier. Her stomach hurts badly.”


    I thought, ‘Pregnant?’ My legs felt like they were made of lead, and my heart dropped to my stomach.


    ‘Benjamin has just passed away-how could she possibly be pregnant?’ My eyesnded on Alvin’s face, full of panic. ‘He is so anxious… could it be…?’


    Thea was rushed into the emergency room, and Alvin and I waited outside. I didn’t know Thea very well, and I wasn’t particrly close to her, so I wasn’t sure why I felt so uneasy.


    But Alvin was clearly distraught. I watched him for a while, but he didn’t even seem to notice me. His attention was fixed entirely on the emergency room door, as if I didn’t exist at all.


    Bitterness rose in my chest. I swallowed hard before finally asking, “The baby… is it yours?”