Chapter 2

The next morning, Bradley, who hadn't been home in quite some time, suddenly showed up. The moment he saw Madeline, he got straight to the point. "You make a good chicken soup, don't you?" Before she could reply, he added, "Louise wants some. Make it and come with me to the hospital." Madeline looked up, ready to refuse, but her eyes fell on the watch around his wrist. In that instant, she changed her mind. "Fine. I'll make it just the way she likes. But I want your watch in return," she stated. Bradley didn't hesitate. He slipped it off and placed it in front of her. "Take it." Such transactions weren't unusual between them. Over the years, he'd often sent Madeline to run errands for Louise. It was either booking flights, queuing for her favorite pastries, or even helping to pick out gifts for her. Madeline never refused. She simply asked for something in exchange, such as a pen he'd used for years, a watch, or a book. They were nothing valuable, but things he'd used for a long time. She gently tucked the watch into a small box, treating it like a treasure. Bradley couldn't help but ask, "Are you that in love with me? Collecting everything I've owned?" Madeline paused. She knew he had misunderstood. Everything she had asked of him over the years had once belonged to Anthony. After Anthony's death, Bradley kept his brother's belongings close as mementos. And Madeline, too, had wanted to hold on to those fragments of a life lost. But she didn't explain. She simply smiled and muttered, "Yes, I really do love you…" "Your brother," she thought, but never said aloud. For reasons Bradley couldn't name, the warmth in Madeline's gaze rattled him for the first time. Memories of her quiet devotion over the years flickered through his mind, leaving him strangely off balance. He frowned, shaking the thought away. Then, with his usual coldness, he said, "Hurry up with the soup." Once it was ready, they left together for the hospital. During the drive, Bradley suddenly remembered the call from the day before. "You called me yesterday. What was it about?" he asked. Madeline, holding the thermal jar in her arms, fixed her gaze on the car window. "Nothing important. I've already dealt with it," she replied faintly. He hummed in acknowledgment and said, "Louise is sick, and I'm looking after her in the hospital. Don't bother me with other things." Madeline nodded obediently, her face calm and unbothered. Bradley glanced at her, a question surfacing in his mind. He wondered if Madeline really was so in love with him that she'd endured all this without a word, and if she loved him enough to watch the way he doted on another woman in her presence. At the hospital, they stepped into Louise's hospital room together. Louise's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Madeline. "I only mentioned it in passing. I can't believe you actually brought her!" Madeline set down the thermal jar, opened it, and began to ladle soup into a bowl. "He takes your words to heart," she said. Bradley was startled to hear her defend him. But instead of feeling pleased, a strange discomfort settled in his chest. He abruptly took the bowl from her hands. "You can leave now. I've got it from here." Madeline said nothing. She picked up her bag and turned to go. As the door closed behind her, she caught one last glimpse of Bradley gently feeding Louise. "Careful, it's hot," he said softly. "I brought your favorite brownies, too." Louise beamed. "You went all the way across town for those?" Madeline shut the door behind her and walked away without looking back.