Chapter 2 Sent to the Hospital

When I met Louise, she hurried over to me. "I've missed you, Yvonne!"

My body froze up, and I pushed her hand away in discomfort. She frowned. "What's wrong? You've been acting weird since I called you yesterday."

She glanced at Solomon and huddled closer to whisper into my ear, "Are you two fighting? Did he push you around? I heard your wedding's been delayed indefinitely."

A smirk twisted my lips. "You have excellent sources. Only Solomon and I knew about that."

The atmosphere immediately turned awkward.

Solomon frowned and quickly explained, "I ran into her on the way back, so we had a little chat. It's not like I don't want to marry you, Yvonne. It's just… Well, you've been oversensitive lately. I barely had a good night's sleep for six months thanks to you. I need to slow down."

The old me would have kept digging for answers, asking them what they talked about and how long he wanted to delay the wedding.

However, right now, all I felt was exhaustion. I was tired.

We exchanged some meaningless small talk before he announced that he wanted to host a welcome dinner for Louise.

She declined politely at first, but after a little persuasion, she accepted.

…

I had expected a simple dinner. Instead, Solomon's mother, relatives, and friends all showed up.

Melissa walked straight toward Louise with a broad smile. "I didn't bring any presents, Louise. Here, you can have this bracelet." She slipped the bracelet off her own wrist and placed it around Louise's.

Unlike the indifference she showed toward me, she was grinning ear to ear when she talked to Louise. Some guests gasped.

"But that bracelet's saved for the Zimmers' daughter-in-law!"

Melissa put on a cryptic smile. "Yes. Louise is a smart and lovely lady. I'd be more than happy if she'd marry my son."

I watched on in silence and looked away.

Solomon placed a piece of fish on my plate. "Mom adores Louise. That's why she gave her a present. She doesn't mean any harm."

I hummed but did not touch that piece of fish.

…

Halfway through the dinner, I went to the bathroom.

Suddenly, I overheard Melissa talking to her son. "Son, Louise has waited for years. You have to marry her. I know Yvonne's not a bad girl, but she's prone to episodes of madness. She can't be a part of the family."

Something squeezed my heart. So they knew all along, and then something hit me. After I ruined Solomon's project, Melissa barged into our house and yelled at me. It was Solomon who shielded me.

"You can't yell at her, Mom. She only did it because she cares about me too much!"

A self-deprecating smile curled my lips. I had no idea he could act this well. Though a wall separated us, I still heard Solomon's answer. "Give it time. Yvonne hasn't been too stable lately."

His mother snorted. "You care about her so much. Why? Think you can split your love between the two of them? Also, you had alcohol today, so skip the allergy meds. I don't want anything to happen to you."

…

When I went back inside, Solomon was drinking, and he kept drinking. It did not take long until he got drunk, and he groggily leaned on Louise.

"Honestly, I can't believe he drank so much, and it's my party. Fine, guess I'll take you both home." She sighed and helped him get into the car.

I stared at Solomon's drunk, flushed face, and something hit me.

My lips curled a little. "Solomon?"

Finally, I could ask that question that had been haunting my mind for so long. "Do you like Louise?"

A long stretch of silence ensued, but he eventually answered, "No."

Rashes slithered up his cheeks the very next moment, and they did not stop. They appeared on his neck and began their descent down his body. He started to scratch without thinking, and his face twisted with pain.

I laughed. I laughed so hard I doubled over, and tears began to fall. Finally, his true feelings were laid bare before my very eyes.

Panic flickered on Louise's face. "He's probably allergic to alcohol. I'll have the driver take him to the hospital."

…

At the hospital, Louise sat beside Solomon's bed, gently wiping his face with a warm towel. He opened his eyes groggily, and when he saw Louise, Solomon pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"You need to take a break, Louise. You're going pale from working too hard." Then, he looked at me. I was nearby, calm and collected. The look in Solomon's eyes spoke of a hundred emotions.

"I'm your boyfriend, Yvonne. Why is Louise the one taking care of me? Aren't you worried about me at all?"

I looked at him with indifference. "No. You're not dead yet, after all."

He froze.

The rash on his body was an eyesore. I noticed that he would have a rash breakout every time he lied during junior year's winter.

I just got home from my part-time job, and my ankle was frozen blue. I had to pull my cotton jacket closer to get some warmth, but it had lost its warming effect a long time ago.

That was when Solomon showed up. He took off his down jacket and gave it to me. There was an awkward look in his eyes. "Wear this. Don't worry, the cold doesn't bother me."

Then, rashes climbed up his face.

I used to think his allergy to lies was how I could know him well. I never imagined that one day that same allergy would be the thing that tore my heart into pieces.