After hanging up on Donovan Sheridan, Sebastian Lockwood couldn't get back to sleep.
At the crack of dawn, when his grandfather got up for his morning exercises, Sebastian joined him. It wasn't until after breakfast that he noticed his grandfather's personal driver, Mr. Quinn, had arrived at the house.
"Grandpa, are you going out?"
"No." His grandfather sipped his tea. "I had Mr. Quinn come over to take you back. Your mind isn't here with me, so why should I keep you?"
"I know you didn't sleep well last night, and I don't feel comfortable with you driving back alone. I'll have Mr. Quinn drive you so you can get some rest in the car."
Sebastian Lockwood was just starting to feel touched by his grandfather's thoughtfulness when the old man's tone shifted, and he muttered:
"Even the dog at Old Man Chen's in the compound has had three litters of puppies, and you're finally showing some signs of life."
"..."
**
「Keston First Municipal Hospital」
Chester Sawyer's acute gastroenteritis had left Sydney Sawyer worried sick, keeping her up half the night.
Around seven in the morning, Donovan Sheridan dropped off breakfast and some fruit.
Chester, still drowsy, woke up to have some porridge. Sydney Sawyer asked Donovan to look after her brother for a bit while she went home to wash up—she was still in her pajamas—and grab a change of clothes for Chester.
"Don't worry, go on ahead. I've got things covered here at the hospital," Donovan Sheridan said with a smile.
"Chester, you be good and listen to Mr. Shaw, okay? I'll be back soon."
Once Sydney Sawyer left, the two of them just stared at each other.
Donovan Sheridan had already looked into the relationship between the siblings but hadn't told Sebastian Lockwood.
He was just fanning the flames, the classic type who loved to stir up trouble and watch the drama unfold.
However, he hadn't managed to get any information out of Sydney Sawyer at the last dinner, even after intentionally getting her drunk. He pursed his lips. 'Perhaps I can start with her brother.'
"Your sister really cares about you," Donovan Sheridan said with a smile.
Chester Sawyer nodded.
"She just got back to Keston not long ago, right? Do you two talk much?"
Chester Sawyer looked at him warily.
Donovan Sheridan gave a sheepish laugh. "Hey, relax, I'm not a bad guy. We're just chatting. I was just asking."
"Really?" Chester had always found him strange.
'He doesn't look that old, but my sister calls him Mr. Shaw.'
'If he isn't actually from an older generation, then he's just taking advantage of my sister. He's probably the shameless type.'
'Since I was admitted, he's helped with the paperwork and brought food and drinks. He's been way too attentive.'
'He claims to be an acquaintance of my sister's, but they don't seem that close.'
"Of course! Your sister trusted me to look after you, so how could I be a bad guy?" Donovan Sheridan strategically poured himself a glass of water, but before he could even take a sip, Chester's next words nearly made him spit it out.
"Are you trying to hit on my sister?"
"...I'm not into your sister."
"Good. My sister would never like you anyway. I was just worried you'd waste your time on her."
'My sister likes a certain someone with the last name Lockwood!'
Donovan Sheridan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 'Where on earth did this kid come from!'
"You know the type of guy your sister likes?"
Chester Sawyer frowned. "You're not trying to date my sister, so why do you keep asking about her?"
The way he looked at Donovan Sheridan clearly said:
'Something's off about you!'
Donovan Sheridan lowered his head and took a sip of water. 'This kid is only half-grown, but he's so difficult. And so wary.'
—
When Sydney Sawyer returned to the hospital, it was already after ten in the morning.
Donovan Sheridan had finished his surgery, but after being up all night, he was exhausted and went home to rest. After lunch, Chester Sawyer had also regained his energy.
"Sis, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"As long as you're okay. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain this to our father and your mother."
"You told them?"
"No."
"I'll definitely be more careful next time. When are we getting discharged?"
"We'll stay for another two days. Doctor's orders."
Chester Sawyer nodded. "Sis, do you think Mom and Dad don't love me? I've been 'away from home' for over a day, and they haven't even looked for me. Maybe I'm not their real son."
"People get sentimental when they're sick. If you told Dad that I was hospitalized..."
"Would he buy me a Mercedes-Benz to cheer me up?"
Sydney Sawyer smiled at him. "You don't have a fever, so how did you manage to fry your brain?"
"..."
Chester Sawyer flopped back onto the hospital bed, putting on a pitiful, love-starved expression.
**
Seeing that he was fine for the time being, Sydney Sawyer unfolded the recliner chair, curled up on it, and managed to take a nap. By the time she woke up, it was nearly evening. She left the ward, intending to get some fresh air to clear her head.
At dusk, the hospital was less crowded. She walked to a window.
She took out her phone and glanced at it. She and Sebastian Lockwood hadn't been in touch since their video call last night.
'Is he that busy back home? Too busy to see the cat?'
'Then again, I have to stay at the hospital tonight, so I couldn't show him the cat even if he wanted to see it.' She opened her chat with Sebastian Lockwood and typed a message:
[Uncle, I have something going on for the next couple of days, so I might not be able to let you see the cat whenever you want. But don't worry, I'll take good care of it.]
She hit send.
Suddenly, a "BUZZ—" came from behind her as a phone vibrated.
Sydney Sawyer had been so focused on sending the message, even double-checking the punctuation, that she only now noticed a shadow behind her in her peripheral vision.
She instinctively turned around.
The first thing she saw was a white shirt. Her gaze traveled upward.
The top button of the man's shirt was undone, the collar falling open to reveal a hint of his collarbone. Higher still, his Adam's apple, his jawline, his thin lips, his straight nose...
...and then Sydney Sawyer's eyes met a pair of deep, smiling ones.
His sudden appearance made Sydney Sawyer's breath catch.
"Uncle? Why are you back all of a sudden?"
Sebastian Lockwood was holding his phone, having just read her message.
Bathed in the light, his glasses were tinged with a golden halo by the setting sun. He bent down slightly to meet her gaze.
"What's wrong? You don't want me back?"
"No, it's just so sudden. Did you have to come back for something urgent?"
Sebastian Lockwood stared at her, his eyes growing deeper, and a smile touched his lips.
"I did..."
"I missed my little kitten."
All at once, Sydney Sawyer's breath hitched, and her heart began to race.