Chapter Six

Marcus Halverine told himself he was only going because of the project.

That was the excuse he repeated the entire drive across town.

Not because he had checked the tutorial room three times that week hoping Kelsey would suddenly appear. Not because the empty seat beside him had started bothering him more than his still-healing leg. And definitely not because the house felt strangely quiet without the familiar sound of Mrs. Vale moving around the kitchen.

It was just concern. Basic human concern.

At least, that was what he told himself.

Balancing carefully on his crutches, Marcus stepped out of the car and looked around the neighborhood. The buildings were older than anything he was used to — narrow apartments stacked closely together, faded paint peeling from walls, balconies crowded with drying clothes.

He checked the address again on his phone.

This was it.

Kelsey’s house.

He hesitated for a moment before moving toward the building entrance, adjusting his grip on the crutches. Recovery had been slow but steady. Two weeks ago he had been stuck in a wheelchair. Now he could move again, even if every step reminded him he wasn’t fully healed.

As he approached the compound, loud voices echoed from inside.

Arguing.

Marcus frowned and quickened his pace.

The moment he turned the corner, he froze.

Furniture was scattered across the front yard.

A mattress leaned against the gate. Boxes sat open, clothes spilling onto the ground. Kitchen utensils clattered as someone tossed another bag outside.

And standing near the doorway was a middle-aged man Marcus assumed was the landlord, shouting angrily while dragging another suitcase out.

Marcus’s stomach dropped.

A familiar figure crouched beside one of the boxes, hurriedly gathering items before they got dirty.

Kelsey.

Her hair was tied messily, strands falling across her face. Her hoodie sleeves were rolled up, and her movements were quick but shaky.

She looked exhausted.

And then she lifted her head.

Her eyes met his.

Shock flashed across her face before her expression hardened instantly.

She stood up.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice sharp despite the redness around her eyes.

Marcus opened his mouth, caught off guard by the hostility.

“Are you here to mock me,” she continued, voice trembling now, “or witness my downfall?”

The words hit harder than he expected.

“Kelsey, no—”

She raised her arm immediately, stopping him.

“Don’t,” she said quietly. “Just… don’t.”

The anger in her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried exhaustion. Embarrassment. Hurt.

Marcus swallowed, unsure how to respond.

Before the silence could stretch further, another voice interrupted.

“Marcus?”

He turned to see Mrs. Vale walking toward him, wiping her hands on her apron. Unlike Kelsey, her expression was warm despite the chaos around them.

“What are you doing here?” she asked gently.

Marcus shifted awkwardly on his crutches. “I was just… worried. I hadn’t seen you both in a while.”

Her smile softened.

“Oh, I was under the weather,” she explained. “Kelsey has been taking care of me.”

Marcus glanced at Kelsey, who avoided his gaze entirely, pretending to reorganize a box that clearly didn’t need reorganizing.

“I see,” he said quietly.

Another loud thud sounded as the landlord dropped a chair outside.

Marcus looked back at Mrs. Vale. “Do you… have somewhere to stay? How will you handle all this?”

“We’ll figure it out,” Kelsey cut in quickly, her tone defensive.

Mrs. Vale sighed softly. “I plan to go to my sister’s place. We should be able to stay there for a few days until I can sort things out.”

Marcus nodded slowly, already making a decision.

“I’ll drive you,” he said.

Both women looked at him.

“That’s not necessary,” Kelsey replied immediately.

“It’s not a problem,” Marcus said calmly. “You shouldn’t have to move all this alone.”

She opened her mouth to protest again, but her mother gently touched her arm.

“That would be very kind of you, Marcus.”

Kelsey exhaled sharply but said nothing.

---

Within minutes, Marcus had called for help from home. Two staff members arrived to assist with loading the luggage into the car. He ignored the curious looks they gave the modest surroundings and focused instead on making sure everything was handled carefully.

Kelsey stayed mostly silent during the process, arms crossed as if accepting help annoyed her.

Marcus understood.

Pride.

He knew it well.

When everything was finally packed, he opened the car door for Mrs. Vale before settling carefully into the driver’s seat.

The ride was quiet.

Kelsey sat in the back seat, staring out the window the entire time.

Marcus caught her reflection once in the mirror. She quickly looked away.

He didn’t push conversation.

For once, teasing didn’t feel right.

---

The drive took nearly forty minutes before they reached another neighborhood — quieter, older but cleaner.

“This is it,” Mrs. Vale said, pointing toward a small duplex house.

Marcus parked and stepped out slowly, adjusting his crutches again before helping unload the bags.

Kelsey finally spoke.

“Thank you,” she muttered, barely audible.

He nodded. “Anytime.”

It wasn’t enough. He wanted to say more, but the words stayed trapped.

They walked toward the door together.

Mrs. Vale knocked.

No answer.

She knocked again, louder this time.

After a moment, the door slowly opened.

A woman stood there — presumably the sister.

But instead of relief, her face carried discomfort.

“Oh,” she said hesitantly. “You came.”

Mrs. Vale smiled politely. “Yes, I called earlier. We just needed somewhere temporary—”

The woman shifted awkwardly, glancing behind her before lowering her voice.

“I… I thought you understood. My husband isn’t comfortable with guests right now.”

Silence fell instantly.

Kelsey stiffened beside Marcus.

Mrs. Vale’s smile faltered. “Just for a few days—”

“I’m sorry,” the woman said quickly, already stepping back. “It’s not a good time.”

And then she closed the door.

Right in front of them.

The sound of the lock clicking echoed louder than it should have.

Kelsey stood completely still.

Marcus felt anger rise in his chest, sharp and unfamiliar.

Mrs. Vale looked down, clearly trying to hide her embarrassment.

For a long moment, none of them spoke.

They were standing outside with bags piled around them.

No home.

No plan.

Kelsey let out a slow breath, blinking rapidly as if refusing to cry again.

“Well,” she said quietly, forcing strength into her voice, “we’ll figure something else out.”

Marcus looked at her.

Really looked.

At the exhaustion she tried to hide. The responsibility she carried alone. The way she still refused to ask for help even when everything was falling apart.

And in that moment, the decision came naturally.

He tightened his grip on the crutches.

“You’re not going anywhere else,” Marcus said.

Both women turned toward him.

“My house has space,” he continued carefully. “Stay there. Until things are sorted.”

Kelsey stared at him like he had just said something impossible.

“No,” she said immediately.

Marcus didn’t argue yet.

Because he knew this conversation was only beginning.

And for the first time since arriving, he realized something bigger than concern had brought him here.

He didn’t just want to help Kelsey Vale.

He wanted to make sure she was safe, but Kelsey would rather sleep in the gutter than accept help from Marcus.