TPCF 62

CHAPTER 62……………

Afraid that if she let him go alone, he might wander off somewhere else, Anita grabbed his sleeve and pulled him along.

“Don’t worry too much about Charles Bennet. It’ll be resolved.”

Rutger, who had been quietly following behind her, suddenly stopped. Since she was holding onto his sleeve, Anita also stopped and turned to look at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s not Charles Bennet I’m worried about. It’s you.”

“I’m fine. I don’t have so much as a scratch.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

Anita let go of his sleeve. It was her way of saying she didn’t want to talk about this, but he didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and just ignored it.

He pulled Anita’s hand into his own. Warmth spread against her palm. When the bandages wrapped around his hand brushed her skin, Anita flinched. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to push him away—for fear of making his injury worse.

“Don’t. Let go, quickly.”

“I’m asking if you’re really all right.”

“If you don’t let go, you won’t be all right. Your palm is torn open!”

What a coward, using his wound like a chain. Because Rutger used his injury to hold onto her, Anita couldn’t push him away or shake him off as she wanted.

“Exactly. That’s why I want you to answer me.”

Anita tried to pull her hand free, but the moment the damp bandage brushed across the back of her hand, she froze stiff.

“Fine. I was really scared. I thought I was going to die. Happy now?”

The words burst out of her like machine-gun fire.

She didn’t want to admit she’d been afraid. She hated showing that for all her bravado, she couldn’t even handle her own problems. It was humiliating how she had frozen when Charles Bennet charged her with glass in hand, and when Rutger came to her rescue and got hurt, she hadn’t acted quickly either.

She wanted to appear perfect in his eyes. Someone he’d think was worth holding onto. Not some helpless girl who couldn’t do anything without him—that would be too pathetic.

“You got your answer. Now let me go.”

As soon as his grip loosened, Anita snatched her hand back. Just when she thought she was finally free, Rutger pulled her straight into his arms. Startled, she gave a short, incredulous laugh.

“What are you doing?”

“Sorry. I should’ve been there sooner.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorr—”

Her voice trailed off, fading softer and softer.

A strange feeling knotted in her chest, and Anita shut her mouth, unable to continue.

“Go on. I was listening.”

From somewhere above her crown came a low laugh. His teasing tone irked her, and she raised her arms to push him away.

“What are you doing?”

“Hm?”

Anita glanced up at him in puzzlement. The corners of his lips twitched, as if he were holding back a grin.

She followed his gaze downward and froze. The hand she had stretched out to push him away was pressed against his stomach.

Slowly, as if nothing had happened, Anita pulled her hand back and hid it behind her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

She tried to act brazen, but her trembling voice betrayed her.

“If you wanted to touch me, you could’ve just said so.”

Rutger even bent down so their eyes met, delighted at having found something to tease her about. Caught off guard by his face so close to hers, Anita stumbled back.

“Why would I ever want to touch you?”

He stopped mid-step.

“You’re acting like you just touched something filthy.”

“Not that far off.”

The smile on his face cracked. She had only said it harshly because she didn’t like being teased, but seeing the hurt on his face, her conscience twisted.

“Sorry. That’s not what I meant. It… wasn’t bad.”

“Not bad? So I should take that to mean you liked it?”

Anita bit her tongue in frustration. If this conversation went any further, she was sure she’d regret it, so she hurried to change the subject.

“I wonder if the welcome party’s over by now.”

“Could be. But…”

Her attempt to steer the conversation failed, and Anita rolled her eyes. As she searched for another way out, her gaze fell on his hand—and she went pale.

“Your hand!”

Rutger glanced down. Blood was seeping through the bandages, running down his fingers and dripping off the tips.

“Ah.”

Anita nearly screamed, her face ashen.

“To the hospital! Now!”

She dragged Rutger straight to the hospital and shoved him inside. She wanted to follow him into the treatment room, but was pushed out at the entrance.

Restless with nothing to do, Anita paced in front of the door before finally stepping outside. She walked the streets for a while until she found what she was looking for: a phone booth. Biting at her chapped lips, she slipped a finger into the dial.

After several rings, a familiar voice answered.

“Dad.”

For a long while, there was no response on the other end. Anita waited patiently for him to speak.

At last, her taciturn father broke the silence.

—“The matter has been settled. The Bennet family has agreed not to pursue any charges over this.”

Always one to value business first, he skipped any greetings and went straight to the point. Knowing his nature well, Anita too ignored pleasantries and went directly to the heart of the matter.