The Storm Ended, So Did My Love

Jacob sat across from me, his hair still dripping wet. He held a dry towel in his hands and carefully wiped the mud and rainwater from Chloe's hair. "Don't overthink it. Given what just happened, I had to look after the one who was physically weaker first."

"I didn't overthink it." I turned my head and stared out at the torrential rain beyond the window.

Chloe was wrapped in the only windbreaker they'd had, the one Jacob had draped over her shoulders at the top of the tower.

She edged closer to him. "Lena, are you mad at Jacob?"

Chloe's eyes were rimmed red. She reached out with a pale hand and tried to reach for my sleeve. "I was really scared just now. My mind went completely blank. If Jacob hadn't held on to me, I might've fallen. Please don't blame him, okay?"

I moved away from her hand.

Jacob frowned, clearly displeased by my reaction. "Are you making a fuss again? That was a matter of life and death. Chloe has low blood sugar. Of course I was going to protect her.

"You're an experienced field reporter. You're stronger than she is. Getting a little cold isn't going to hurt you."

I said nothing. I lowered my head and looked at my fingertips, which had turned purple from the cold.

He stepped in front of Chloe and blocked her from my view. "The three of us practically grew up together. We're closer than family. Can you not be so dramatic?"

His accusation was completely self-righteous, with an unmistakable edge of impatience.

I stared at the lipstick mark smeared across his shirt collar, left there when Chloe had thrown herself into his arms just moments ago.

Suddenly, I remembered so many moments just like that.

In high school, we'd once been caught in a torrential downpour. He'd only had one umbrella. He'd said Chloe was physically weak and couldn't afford to get soaked, so he'd told me to run home by myself.

In college, we'd tried to buy concert tickets, but only two had been available. He'd said Chloe was a huge fan and told me we could go together another time.

I was always the one brought along as an afterthought.

As long as Chloe was there, I didn't even have the right to feel jealous, because that would mean I was being immature.

I shoved my hands into my soaked pockets and forced myself to stop trembling. "I wasn't getting upset."

Jacob stared at me for several seconds before the crease between his brows gradually eased.

He was used to this kind of silent surrender from me. He assumed I'd swallowed my hurt once again.

"Go home and have some hot cocoa. Then we'll consider this over. I don't want an accident like this to affect the relationship between the three of us."

He placed particular emphasis on the word "accident." As if the words he'd said in front of the entire country, "If I die with you, I won't regret it.," had merely been something he'd blurted out in the heat of the moment.