CHAPTER  4

While Meg was carefully examined by Doctor Radcliff, the family doctor, James remained in the room with a worried expression, vehemently refusing to leave. The atmosphere was tense and the silence was interrupted only by the sound of medical instruments. The doctor's serious face further increased the tension of the situation, making James more and more apprehensive. 

Finally, James got up the courage to ask, "How is she?"  

"It was a great shock to her to lose Martha. You know how fragile women are." The doctor said handing him some medicinal vials.  

"Will she be okay?" asked James. 

"I believe so. She will need to take these medicines and rest for a few days, but if she doesn't get better with these medicines, call me." 

James sighed, feeling a wave of relief mixed with a tightness in his chest. 

"Thank you," he spoke, walking him to the door.  

As he made his way to the door, the doctor appeared to be absorbed in important thoughts. "James, when you have a free moment, stop by my office. I'd like to talk to you about something," he spoke in a serious tone. James agreed politely, but could barely pay attention to the doctor's words.  

James approached Meg with concern and tenderness, brushing a lock of damp hair away from her forehead. He felt her importance as he saw her sick and frail, regretting that he had been hard on her. Torn between keeping his promise to his dead mother and opposing Meg's marriage to William, James felt like a tightrope walker, not knowing what to do, because all the alternatives seemed bad. 

He stayed by her bedside all morning, and even as the afternoon began to approach, he didn't feel like leaving.           

Meg woke up slowly, and when she opened her eyes, she was startled to see James sitting beside her bed, watching her. She didn't understand what he was doing there, he hadn't been in her room for many years. 

Suddenly the images of the night before invaded her memories, William's cruel words were vivid, and James's silence after the innuendo still bothered her. Perhaps he was only there to let her know that he had set a wedding date and would be rid of her forever.

Meg's heart raced, and the air began to shorten. She swallowed dryly and, in a hoarse voice, asked, "What happened?"  

 James gave a sad smile and ran his hand through his hair.  

"You got sick, Meg. You had a high fever. I called the doctor to see you."  

Meg felt confused as she saw the care in his eyes. 

 "How are you feeling now?" 

Her head was throbbing and she felt weak, as if she had been struck by lightning. But, the greatest pain was in her soul, as if her heart was being torn from her chest.  

"I'm fine," she lied. 

 Meg tried to sit up, but gave up immediately when a wave of dizziness knocked her over. James helped her straighten up in bed and handed her a glass of water. 

"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. "I don't remember anything that happened." 

 "The doctor said the fever is emotional. You need to rest for a few days until you recover completely." 

Meg sighed and closed her blue eyes for a moment, trying to absorb the information. She was the weak link in the chain and she knew it. 

"Did you stay with me all this time?" asked Meg.  

 "Yes, I didn't want to leave you alone." 

The look on her face went from astonishment to gratitude in a split second. 

James touched her hand gently, and even though she was weakened, she felt an electric current run through her body, flooding her with a wave of emotion. She remained caught in his brown eyes for long moments that seemed like eternity itself. 

"Why did you stay with me if you can't stand me and have been complaining about me for years? I overheard your conversation with William." 

"I don't complain about you, Meg. I just didn't know how to deal with my own feelings," James explained, sighing before continuing. "I hope you'll forgive me." 

The door opened abruptly, Angelina entered with a tray in her hand, placing it on the dresser.  The smell of chicken broth took over the room "William is coming to visit you," she said with a forced smile.

James sighed and left the room without saying a word. He couldn't believe that Angelina had done that without consulting him first.  

"Why did you do that?" he questioned angrily.  

"William is Meg's fiancé, he needs to know about her health." Answered Angelina with indifference. 

"They are not engaged," James retorted, feeling his blood boil in his veins. "And you know it." 

"That was your mother's last wish. Martha wanted them to get married." 

"I don't forget that for a minute if ever," James said in a cutting tone of voice. "But that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything you do on her behalf." 

Angelina looked at him for a moment, seeming surprised at the intensity of his reaction. Then she simply shrugged and walked away, leaving James alone with his thoughts. He knew he would have to deal with William soon, but at that moment, all he wanted was to take care of Meg.  

William quickly arrived at the house and was informed by Angelina that Meg was asleep.  She happily entertained him by reminiscing about their childhood, until James appeared in the room.  

"James, my good friend! I came as soon as I heard. Angelina was so kind to let me know," William spoke up. 

 "Thank you for coming, William. She's fine, but she's sleeping now," replied James, with a worried look on his face."  

"Don't worry! Your wife kept me company, just like old times," William said, looking at Angelina with a gentle smile. "Ah, Angelina has always been a great friend. You are lucky to have her for a wife." 

"Join me for a drink?" asked James, trying to break the tension. 

"Sure," William replied, accepting his friend's invitation, "I need to relax a bit." 

After a few minutes of trivial conversation, William finally broached the subject that had brought him to James' home.

"James, my friend, I wanted to talk to you about something important," William said with a serious expression. 

James frowned, worried about what was coming.  

"I would like to set the wedding date as soon as possible," William replied, with a determined expression. "I know Meg is having a hard time right now, but I think it would be better for her if we had a concrete plan for the future."  

James was silent for a moment. 

"I understand what you mean, William. I promised my mother that I would take care of her for the wedding. But I think we need to give Meg some time to recover. She's still sick and grieving." 

William did not look pleased. 

"My father won't give me any more money. And he won't give me a dime until I have an official date." 

"You're not thinking of working in your father's business?" 

"Not until after the wedding." 

"We'll wait for Meg to recover, and when she's ready, we'll discuss the wedding date." He spoke to buy time. 

James felt a tightening in his chest as he imagined Meg married to William. He knew his feelings for his adopted sister, were wrong, but he couldn't control them. The thought of losing her forever made him anxious. How could he prevent this marriage without revealing his feelings? He felt at a dead end, fighting against his impossible love and the possibility of ruining Meg's happiness. He needed to find a solution before it was too late, before he lost the only person he truly loved.