Chapter 8

Rowan didn’t understand when she had become that kind of person in Ian’s eyes.

She remembered a time in childhood when someone falsely accused her of cheating at school. The school called for a parent, and Ian came instead.

He wasn’t much older than she was, but he stood in front of her as she sobbed. “Rowan would never cheat. I want the school to investigate again. If it won’t, I’ll do it myself. Everyone involved will owe her an apology.”

Back then, he stood firmly by her side, and she trusted him completely as she hid behind him.

How had they ended up like this?

In the end, Rowan said nothing. She simply looked at him.

Her gaze was steady, but her eyes were full of despair.

For some reason, the way she looked at him made Ian’s chest feel tight. “If it happens again, you’ll pay for it.”

He slammed the door behind him.

Only after Ian left did Rowan begin to vomit violently.

Her blood covered the floor…

Three days later, Tina called and asked to meet her.

Rowan’s condition had worsened over the past few days, and more of her hair had fallen out. Still, she bundled up and went out.

She wore a hat and scarf that left only one eye visible. No one could tell she was dying.

They arranged to meet at a nearby café. Tina arrived early and sat by the window, sipping her coffee.

Rowan had to admit Tina was beautiful. But what Tina did in the past kept Rowan from wanting to step aside. In Rowan’s eyes, Tina still wasn’t good enough for Ian.

When Rowan arrived, Tina got straight to the point.

“Rowan, Ian doesn’t love you. Let him go.”

Rowan looked at her calmly, without a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

“Did he ask you to come?”

Tina shook her head. “He cares too much about the people in his life. Your parents raised him. How could he ask me to do this? I came on my own because I hate seeing him suffer. He doesn’t love you, but he still feels bound to you for the rest of his life.

“He wasn’t happy during the years I was away.

“I know you love him, but he’ll never love you back. Our roles were decided long ago. You were meant to be like a little sister, and I was meant to be the woman he loved for the rest of his life. If you try to change that, he’ll only hate you.”

Rowan’s ears rang.

It felt as though someone had gripped her heart and was squeezing it with every beat.

But she only nodded. “I know.”

Tina looked up at her with surprise in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Rowan to remain so calm after everything she said.

Tina came prepared to make threats. Now she didn’t know what else to say.

Rowan spoke first.

“I understand. Whatever you were like before, he’s… chosen you. I hope you’ll treat him well. I wish you both happiness.”

She turned and left without looking at Tina again.

Rowan didn’t leave the house after that.

She could barely hold on.

Coughing up blood became a daily occurrence.

Each night, she curled up in bed, unable to sleep until she took a handful of painkillers.

At least Ian hadn’t come home in a long time.

Perhaps her determination kept her going.

Somehow, she made it to her birthday.

And that day, Ian came home too.