"Cherry?"Cherry stopped in the hospital lobby.Grandma Mathilde stood a few steps away, with her private nurse, Miss Carol, beside her.Cherry had left Luke's room to buy coffee. Hours after the emergency, he was still unconscious in the intensive care unit. She had barely eaten or slept, and she had no idea how long she would have to keep waiting for him to wake.Now the woman she had promised to avoid was looking straight at her."My dear, what are you doing here?"Cherry tried to smile."I visited someone. I was just getting coffee."Mathilde studied her face."Someone?"Cherry lowered her eyes.Mathilde stepped closer and gently touched her cheek."You look exhausted. Tell me what's wrong.""I'm just tired, Grandma.""That much I can see."The kindness in her voice made Cherry's throat tighten. She had managed to speak to doctors, call her manager, and count the money she had gathered without falling apart.She was not sure she could keep doing that while Mathilde looked at her with such concern.Miss Carol stepped a short distance away, giving them room to talk."It's Luke," Cherry said.Mathilde's hand stilled against her cheek."Your brother?""He was hit by a vehicle. The driver didn't stop." Cherry swallowed, but her voice still broke. "He's in the intensive care unit.""Oh, Cherry."Mathilde drew her into a gentle hug.Cherry held on.For a few moments, she stopped trying to hide how frightened she was."He hasn't woken up," she whispered. "I keep watching him, and I don't know what else to do."Mathilde rubbed her back."Why didn't you tell me?""I didn't want to bother you.""You could never bother me with this."Cherry pulled back and wiped her face."Gilbert asked me to stay away from you. He thinks I became close to you because of your family's money."Mathilde's expression changed."He said that?"Cherry nodded."I don't want anyone to think I'm using you.""I know you, my dear."Mathilde took her hand."Gilbert can bring his questions to me. You don't have to stand here alone because he has doubts.""I don't want to cause trouble.""You haven't caused this."She glanced toward the coffee shop."Come and sit with me. You need something to eat."Cherry hesitated. She had promised Liam she would not contact Mathilde, but she had not come looking for her.And when Mathilde squeezed her hand, Cherry could not bring herself to pull away.They sat in the small coffee shop inside the hospital. Mathilde ordered tea and pastries, then asked about Luke.Cherry told her what the doctors had said. Mathilde listened without interrupting.When the food arrived, Cherry took a small bite. She had not realized how hungry she was until she began eating."You must look after yourself too," Mathilde said."I'm trying.""I know."Cherry looked down at her cup."I never wanted your money, Grandma. I agreed to the marriage because my grandmother needed to know I would be cared for. And I knew how much it meant to you too.""You gave her peace."Mathilde reached across the table."And you've given me more kindness than you realize."Cherry let Mathilde hold her hand.She had missed this. Someone asking whether she had eaten. Someone listening without expecting her to solve everything first."But Gilbert will be angry that I stayed," she said."Then he can speak to me."Mathilde's voice remained gentle."Right now, let me be your grandmother."Cherry's eyes filled again.She bowed her head, holding Mathilde's hand until she could breathe steadily.Only then did Mathilde speak about her own reason for being at the hospital. She was preparing for surgery, and despite her calm manner, she admitted she was afraid.Cherry turned her hand over and held it properly."You don't have to pretend with me either," she said.Mathilde gave her a small smile."Then we'll look after each other."Cherry smiled back.Her phone buzzed on the table.The message was from her manager.Come in early today. I'll have the cash advance ready.Cherry read it twice. The money would bring her closer to covering Luke's expenses."I need to go," she said. "My manager is helping me with an advance."Mathilde nodded."Thank you for sitting with me, Grandma.""Don't hide from me again."Cherry stood, and Mathilde hugged her once more. This time, Cherry held her without apologizing.At a nearby table, Liam lowered the newspaper he had been reading.He had heard enough of their conversation to understand why Cherry had stayed. She had not asked Mathilde for money. She had cried when the older woman offered comfort.He looked at the message on his own phone, then began typing.When Cherry stepped back into the hallway, Gilbert was waiting.She stopped.Mathilde came out behind her."There you are," she said warmly. "You two should talk."Gilbert looked from his grandmother to Cherry."Yes, Grandma."Cherry forced herself to meet Mathilde's eyes."Please take care of yourself.""You too, my dear."Miss Carol rejoined Mathilde. Gilbert moved toward a quiet corner and gestured for Cherry to follow.Liam remained several steps behind.Once they were out of Mathilde's hearing, Gilbert stopped."I told you to stay away from her.""I didn't come to see her. She found me in the lobby.""But you stayed.""She asked about Luke.""You could have excused yourself."Cherry tightened her grip on her bag."I tried to hide what was wrong. She knew."Gilbert's gaze stayed on her."Did you tell her about the annulment?""No.""Why?""Because she's preparing for surgery. She told me she was scared."He fell silent.Cherry looked toward the coffee shop, though Mathilde was no longer there."She was happy to see me. I couldn't tell her we were ending the marriage while she was trying to be brave about an operation.""You still broke your promise.""I didn't arrange this meeting, Gilbert."Her voice rose, and she lowered it again."I know what I promised. But I couldn't walk away while she was holding my hand and asking what had happened."His expression remained guarded."You always have an explanation."Cherry stared at him."I never asked her for money.""Not directly."The words took a moment to sink in."So even crying about my brother means I'm trying to take something?""You've used my name. You have my grandmother's trust. You're still inside my family.""I used your name because Benjamin wouldn't leave me alone."Gilbert said nothing."And I didn't take your grandmother's trust," Cherry continued. "She gave it to me before I ever met you.""Then why haven't you walked away?""I tried."Her answer stopped him."I signed the agreement. I accepted that you'd withdrawn the condominium and the money. I promised to stop contacting the woman who had treated me like family."Cherry swallowed."What else do you want me to give up before you believe me?"Gilbert looked at her for a moment. His gaze dropped to the strap she was gripping, then returned to her face."This marriage was never meant to be permanent.""I know.""You were never meant to stay."Cherry lowered her eyes.She had known that too. Hearing it still hurt."Then we should have ended it sooner," she said. "I never wanted to remain married to someone who thinks so little of me.""You think you're the only one this marriage hurt?""No."She looked up."I think we both were."Gilbert's jaw tightened, but he did not interrupt."I'm not your enemy," Cherry said. "I agreed to an arrangement our grandmothers wanted. So did you.""Then why didn't you tell me Grandma had found you?""There wasn't time. I had just left the coffee shop when I saw you."She paused."And you didn't ask what happened. You started by telling me I'd done something wrong."Gilbert looked away.Cherry waited, but she could not tell what he was thinking.When he spoke again, his voice was quieter."If Grandma learns about the annulment before her surgery, it could upset her.""That's why I didn't tell her.""But now she thinks everything is fine.""You asked me to keep it from her."He turned back to her."What was I supposed to say?" Cherry asked. "I couldn't keep your secret and tell her the truth at the same time."Gilbert had no answer.Cherry wiped her cheek."I'm tired of proving I'm not your enemy.""You're not my enemy."She slowly raised her eyes.For a moment, she wanted to believe that meant he understood.Then he added, "But you're part of an arrangement I never wanted.""So are you."Her answer was quiet.Gilbert looked at her, and this time she did not lower her gaze."I didn't come here to frighten you," he said."Then why are you here?"He hesitated."I don't know what to do with this.""With what?"His eyes stayed on hers."Whatever this is between us."Cherry's grip loosened on her bag.He had accused her of taking from his family. Now he was speaking as though there was something between them that he could not dismiss."What do you want from me?" she asked."I don't know."She searched his face. For once, his answer did not sound like a judgment."I can't keep guessing," she said.Gilbert drew a slow breath."If you see Grandma again, tell me. Don't let me hear about it afterward."Cherry's hope faded a little.Still, he had changed the demand. He was no longer telling her to disappear from Mathilde's life completely.She nodded.Gilbert began to turn away.Cherry thought of Luke lying unconscious upstairs. She thought of her manager's message and the money that still would not be enough."Wait."He stopped.She stepped closer and lightly caught his sleeve."Please. I need help."Gilbert turned to her.Cherry let go of his sleeve."You heard the estimate for Luke's treatment yesterday," she said. "I've gathered some money, and my manager is giving me an advance. But it still isn't enough."His expression tightened."I thought you wanted nothing from me."Cherry felt the sting, but she stayed where she was."I never asked for money for myself.""But you're asking now.""Yes."The word was difficult to say. She said it anyway."For Luke. I can't let him go without something he needs because I'm afraid of what you'll think of me."Gilbert watched her."I'll repay you," she continued. "I have work. It will take time, but I'll pay back whatever you lend me."He eased his arm away from her hand.Cherry's chest tightened."Please don't walk away.""I don't give money because someone feels sorry for themselves.""I'm frightened," she said. "And I don't know what else to do. But I'm not asking you to feel sorry for me."Her voice broke."I'm asking you to help my brother."Gilbert remained silent.Cherry waited. She had nothing left to offer except the promise to repay him, and she had already given it.Finally, he let out a quiet breath."Come with me."She stared at him."Does that mean—""I haven't said yes." His voice was softer. "But I'm not finished talking to you."He turned toward the exit.Cherry followed, holding tightly to the small chance he had given her.He was finally willing to listen.But she still did not know what he would ask from her in return.
