4

Chapter 4

BRYCE WINSTON 

I dashed into the ward, panting heavily, my chest burning with anger. 

“Bryce…” Sandra rushed to me. "Is Nora still angry about what happened?”

"What was that, Sandra?” 

She took a step back, fear settling on her face.

“Br-bryce… You are scaring me. Why are you looking at me like that?”

I paused and scoffed, biting my lips hard. 

"You kissed me, Sandra. You fucking kissed me out of nowhere!” I snapped, bile rising in my throat. The thought of her lips on mine, her fingers tightening on my shirt made my stomach rile up with disgust. 

She'd kissed me without warning, and when I managed to push her away after freezing to process what happened, I'd seen Nora standing at the door.

"Bryce…” she paused and swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to do that, alright?”

"You are my sister, Sandra! My sister! How could you do something that horrible?” I snapped, and she flinched.

My mind drifted to Nora, and I ran my fingers through my hair, my breath trembling.

Did she see us like that?

The very thought of it made my body shake. What if she misunderstood us? What if she believes that I really kissed her? She was already suspecting me with…

Fuck! Jesus!

"Bryce—”

"How the fuck do you want me to explain this to Nora?” 

She stepped back fearfully, her lips trembling, tears already gathering in her eyes.

"I didn't know what came over me, Bryce…” a drop of tears slid down her cheeks. “Maybe the accident messed with my head."

“I wouldn't do something like that in my right mind…”

"And about Nora… She didn't see us. I think she was just angry about the accident. She didn't see us kissing." 

I dragged my fingers through my hair again.

“Bryce…” Sandra stepped closer, already reaching to touch me.

"Don't, please." 

She bit her lip and pulled away, sadness settling on her face. 

“I'm really sorry about—”

"I'll send a maid over to take care of you." I grabbed my coat from the bed. “Take care of yourself." 

And with that, I headed towards the door.

“Are you seriously going to treat me like this, Bryce?" Sandra's teary voice stopped me in my tracks.

“I already apologised. I told you I didn't kiss you deliberately." 

‘Did you ever love me? It's always been Sandra’

My knuckles cracked as my fingers curled into my palms.

‘No. I don't love you. This was a contract from the onset’

I closed my eyes and tilted my head back as I let out a deep breath.

How could I say that to her? 

Her complaints came clawing back into my head. 

The nights she'd asked me to come home early. The way she'd once complained that I barely touched her anymore. The times she'd waited for me at dinner.

I'd dismissed every one of them and called her needy. I had told myself she was overreacting.

But seeing her shaking in the lobby a moment ago and too ashamed of myself to go to her, for the first time, I understood that I'd given her too little.

With one last glance at Sandra, I made up my mind. I'm going to focus on my marriage with Nora now. I'm going to make things right. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get her to forgive me.

"Sandra…" I looked back at her over my shoulder. “Don't come to my house henceforth without an invitation…”

Colors drained from her face, but before she could say anything, I'd already pulled the door open and stepped out of the ward.

I halted abruptly the moment I stepped outside of the hospital and saw it was raining.

My breath caught in my throat.

Nora is scared of rain. She can't stay alone when it's raining.

I reached for my phone and dialed her number.

Switched off.

My heart leaped. Did something happen to her? Did she faint out of fear?

My eyes moved around slowly. I'd taken a cab here as soon as I heard about Sandra's accident. 

It's already late, and getting a cab now will be difficult. 

Fuck it! I need to be by Nora's side. I need to find my way to her somehow.

I took a deep breath, then stepped into the downpour. 

I was already shivering, my teeth chattering by the time I got out of the hospital gate.

The street was pitch dark and quiet.

I glanced at my wristwatch. It was just a few minutes before 9pm.

I should be able to catch the last bus if I get to the bus stop in five minutes.

It was almost impossible, but fuck it! I've hurt Nora enough. I won't let her get hurt anymore. 

The last bus was already gone by the time I got there.

Fuck!

My clothes were already soaked, my breath shallow as I shivered uncontrollably.

I reached for my phone with shaky hands and dialed Nora's number again.

Still switched off.

I stared at the screen, my vision blurring for just a second before I shook it off.

Is she okay? 

Many scary thoughts ran through my mind, but I brushed them off and kept telling myself that she was fine.

She has to be.

If I had treated her right. If I had gone to her at the lobby earlier, this wouldn't have happened.

*****

I finally made it home the next morning, my skin pale white, my limbs felt heavy and numb.

I dragged myself into the living room, already calling out to Nora, but got no answer.

I paused in the living room and swallowed hard as waves of fear washed over me.

She usually welcomes me at the door. Why is she not here? 

“Nora? Honey?" My voice came out shakily barely above a whisper as I walked towards the staircase.

My legs gave in, and I dropped to the floor with a heavy thud.

I ignored the sharp pain shooting through my leg as I dragged myself up to my feet, but before I could take a step, I stumbled again, crashing against the rail.

"Mr. Winston…” Felicia, my maid, gasped as she rushed down the staircase. "Are you okay?”

"Oh, my God! What happened?” She flinched as she placed a hand on my forehead. "You're burning up. And your skin… You're pale…" 

“Nora…” I managed to say. "Where is she?”

Colors drained from her face.

"Where is she?” I demanded, forcing my eyes to stay open. "Where is my

wife?”

Felicia bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "She left.”

I froze.

"What?”

She lifted her gaze to me and said, "Mrs Winston moved out last night.”