Chapter 3

Zoey's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Callum… how could I possibly let you do something like this?" Callum continued rinsing her undergarments. His tone was gentler than usual. "You're not in any shape to be dealing with cold water right now. This is nothing. Let me take care of it." Roxanne felt her blood run cold as she witnessed this scene from outside the door. After being married to him for so many years, even when she had been doubled over in pain during her period, he hadn't so much as poured her a cup of hot chamomile tea, let alone offered to wash her undergarments. Turns out, he wasn't cold by nature, nor was he clueless about how to care for someone. He had simply reserved all his warmth and tenderness for that woman named Zoey. The ache in her chest spread like wildfire. Roxanne could no longer bring herself to watch this scene any longer. She turned and forced herself to take one heavy step after another toward the payment counter. … In the days that followed, Callum never once came to visit her. Roxanne changed her own dressings, ate her meals alone, and bore the pain of her injuries and the emptiness in her heart all on her own. On the day of her discharge, while she was handling her discharge procedures, she ran into Callum and Zoey, who were also there for the same reason. As soon as Zoey spotted her, she hurried over and fretted, "Roxanne! You're getting discharged as well? That's wonderful! "After you were washed away by the flood, I kept asking Callum to go look for you. He said you'd be able to climb out on your own, though. "Since I was frail, he had to stay behind to take care of me. I've felt so bad about it, but now that I see you're okay, I can finally breathe easy!" Though it sounded like concern, it was really just her way of parading Callum's love for her. Roxanne didn't want to waste her breath on Zoey. After filling in the paperwork, she turned to leave. Zoey, however, seized her wrist. "Since we've run into each other, why don't we head home together, Roxanne?" Instinctively, Roxanne wrenched her hand free. Callum immediately stepped forward to support Zoey. Scowling at Roxanne, he chided, "What's with the attitude? The only reason I saved her first is because she's a researcher our country needs! Meanwhile, all you ever do is fuss around the kitchen! "I know very well what's more important! Zoey's worrying about you out of the kindness of her heart. Who exactly are you giving that attitude to?" Roxanne's heart twisted painfully. She was about to defend herself when Callum, who was already impatient, dragged Zoey into his car and said coldly, "Well? Get in!" Not wanting to make a scene at the hospital entrance, she quietly climbed into the back seat. On the drive home, Callum fussed over Zoey, asking if she was thirsty or hungry, tending to her every need with the utmost care. He had never treated Roxanne with such tenderness before. "So, this was how he treated the woman he truly loved," Roxanne thought to herself. All of a sudden, Zoey said, "Let's not go home just yet, Callum. Take me to the bookstore first; I'd like to buy some reference books." "You're still as diligent as ever," he remarked with a note of admiration. "One has to keep learning to improve." When the trio arrived at the bookstore, Zoey went off to browse the shelves. Roxanne, too, picked up a couple of titles on advanced physics and fluid mechanics. Callum's brows knitted the moment he saw them. "Do you even know what those mean? Are you copying Zoey just because I complimented her?" Zoey stepped in to ease the tension. "Don't say that, Callum. It's a good thing that Roxanne wants to learn." Without saying another word, he pulled out his wallet to pay for her books. Roxanne, however, stopped him. "That won't be necessary. I'll pay for mine myself." He froze for a moment, as if he hadn't expected her to refuse. It was the first time she had ever shown a sense of independence in front of him. An inexplicable twinge of annoyance stirred inside him, though he didn't press the matter. "Suit yourself." After settling the bill, Callum instinctively reached out to take Zoey's books. Zoey turned him down. "I can manage on my own. Why don't you help Roxanne instead? I think she injured her arm." He took a look at Roxanne. "It's fine. She's used to doing housework, so she'll be fine on her own." With that, he went to retrieve his car. There was a triumphant glint in Zoey's eyes as she hugged the books to her chest and followed after him to the stairwell. Perhaps she was so caught up in her own smugness, or she did it on purpose, but she abruptly lost her footing, let out a startled cry, and tumbled down the stairs. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Roxanne instinctively reached out but only managed to brush against the edge of Zoey's clothes. All she could do was watch as Zoey tumbled and landed hard at the corner of the stairs. The loud thud instantly drew Callum, who had just reached the door, back. He rushed over, and the blood drained from his face the moment he saw what had happened. Dropping to his knees, he carefully helped the groaning Zoey up. Then, he jerked his head up and shot daggers at Roxanne, who was standing on the stairs. "Did you push her?" he demanded. Roxanne was about to explain herself when Zoey, who was wincing in pain, said pitifully, "Don't blame Roxanne, Callum… Maybe she's still upset that you saved me first. If this is what she needs to let off steam, I can take it…" Roxanne's eyes widened in disbelief at such a blatant lie. "What are you on about? You were the one who—" "That's enough!" Callum snarled. "Roxanne, when did you become so petty and narrow-minded? Haven't I already told you why I saved Zoey first? "Put yourself in my shoes for once! If you had to choose between saving someone the country needs and someone insignificant, who would you save first? "Besides, you're perfectly fine, aren't you? But if something really happened to Zoey, do you think you could bear that responsibility?"