The next time he saw her again was two weeks later, when she came to deliver a file to him.
But before then, Reed had tried every possible means to speak to her—calls, texts, even dropping by her workplace—but to no avail. Yet here she was again, standing right before him. His heart raced.
"Leif told me to give this to you," Sage said, her tone cold, no warmth in her voice. She set the file on his desk and turned to leave.
"Sage!" Reed called hurriedly, moving around the desk. His hand instinctively reached out and caught hers.
She stiffened at his touch but didn't pull away immediately.
"Can you please talk to me? I've been trying to reach you, but you denied me every access," Reed said, his voice laced with desperation. His grip loosened, but he kept his gaze locked on her.
"Is there anything you want to talk about, Reed?" Sage asked, her eyes guarded.
"Yes. There's a lot to talk about," Reed replied, his voice soft but firm.
"Like?" Sage asked again, a little anger creeping into her voice. Her brows knitted, her stance tense.
"Our relationship," Reed replied without hesitation.
"Relationship?" Sage's eyes flashed. "The only relationship we have is that you are my brother's best friend, and your family is friends with mine," she said, her words sharp. She folded her arms across her chest as if building a wall between them.
"Sage…" Reed took a breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm sorry if I've done anything wrong to you. But I want to start afresh." He looked her straight in the eye, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "Sage, believe me—I've loved you for a long time. I just didn't know how to tell you... I was afraid of rejection." He sighed, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. "I can't take this silent treatment you've been giving me. Please."
Sage's gaze wavered, her fingers brushing against her arm nervously. "Do you really love me?" she asked, voice softer now.
"Of course," Reed replied firmly, stepping closer.
"Not because of the night we spent together?" Sage asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course not. I hope... I hope you're willing to be my girlfriend," Reed said, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips.
"Are you really telling the truth?" Sage asked again, her voice shaking just slightly.
"I swear with my life," Reed replied, his smile growing.
Sage said nothing for a long moment, her gaze locked on his. Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes briefly, visibly flustered.
"What do you say?" Reed asked gently, almost holding his breath.
"I hope you're not saying this because you felt guilty for the sex," Sage asked, her voice trembling now.
"I'm not saying this because of guilt," Reed replied quickly. "I don't regret the night we spent together. I enjoyed every single bit of it." He held her gaze, unwavering.
Sage looked at him with a shy smile, her fingers twisting the hem of her blouse. "I love you too," she finally said, her voice full of vulnerability. She lifted her eyes to meet his. "For a long time... since I was little. Since the first time I set eyes on you—even when I didn't know what love was. And till the time I knew what love means. Even at this very moment... I have always loved you, Reed."
Reed smiled, his eyes misting over. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close. "Let's give this a try," he whispered. "And I'll try to be better than my best—to make this relationship worth it."
End of Flashback
---
Willow came into the high-end restaurant, her steps slow but steady. Leif had called her; he wanted to see her today.
She was led to Leif's table, where he was already waiting.
"Sorry I'm late, Brother Leif," she said with a soft smile.
Leif nodded, returning her smile with understanding. "How have you been?" he asked.
"Good," Willow replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Let's eat. What would you like to have?" Leif asked.
Willow gave her order calmly.
When the food arrived, Leif's brows lifted slightly. Willow had ordered crab—something he distinctly remembered her avoiding. He recalled a birthday dinner with Sage where Willow had tried seafood, only to get sick from it.
Yet now, she ate the crab delicately, her movements composed. Leif watched her silently for a few moments before speaking.
"You seem to like seafood now," he said, his tone casual.
"Yes, Brother Leif," Willow replied with a small smile.
"You once got sick from eating it, if I remember correctly," Leif said, his gaze gentle.
"It's been years, Brother Leif. A lot of things have changed," Willow answered, her usual dead smile in place.
Leif's eyes narrowed subtly as he watched her. "You once told me you wished to be Alder's wife. It seems that's changed as well," he pressed, cutting his steak.
Willow smiled faintly and looked down. "A lot of things changed. But that... that hasn't changed. It's just that we weren't meant to be together in this lifetime."
"So what's stopping you, Will?" Leif asked softly. "Is it about Mom? Or the money from four years ago?"
Willow remained quiet, her head bowed as she toyed with her fork.
"If it's Mom—you know Alder has never been one to bend to rules. He'll fight for you no matter what. If it's about you picking money over him... he forgave you a long time ago. So why don't you give this relationship a chance, Will?"
Willow's hands trembled slightly on the table. She steadied them with effort. "Some relationships are broken beyond measure," she said softly. "I don't want to promise forever when I don't even have that."
"Willow..." Leif's voice softened. "You know you can always talk to me. I will always listen, no matter what, and I won't judge you. You know that, right?"
"I know," Willow replied quietly.
If there was one person who never judged her, it was Leif. Even Alder would correct her bluntly, but Leif was like the elder brother she never had. Even when she was wrong, he only asked her not to do it again—never scolding or getting angry.
"Then talk to me," Leif urged.
But there was only silence. It was clear she wasn't ready.
"Back then, I know you weren't always happy. But now... even after leaving your father, you look more broken than before. You look so drained, Willow. If you don't talk about your problems, there's no way they'll be solved," Leif pressed gently.
"Brother Leif, when I'm ready... I will talk to you. But right now, let's just enjoy our meal," Willow said with a dismissive smile, effectively ending the conversation.
She knew she wasn't ready to talk about her illness. She didn't want pity—she just wanted to live her last days as if nothing were wrong. Once people knew, they treated her like a patient, and that was something she couldn't bear.
Leif honored her wish and continued their meal in silence. He had already paid, so after they finished, they left the restaurant.
"When you want to talk to someone... remember, I'm always available," Leif said quietly.
---
Alder and Reed sat at their usual spot, drinking as always, when Reed asked, "How are you and Willow now? Did you talk to her already?"
"No," Alder replied.
"Why?" Reed asked.
"That heartless woman... she doesn't even try calling me or talking to me. Sometimes I wonder if she even loves me," Alder said, sadness clouding his voice. He took another sip of his drink.
"Maybe it's because you don't want to do what she wants," Reed said, trying to defend Willow.
"Am I that bad that she doesn't want to marry me? She just wants to date me forever, or maybe for some months, and discard me again," Alder complained, frustration creeping in.
"Why don't you talk to her?" Reed asked.
"Willow? Do you even know her? When she makes a decision, it's almost impossible to change her mind. And once she decides not to say anything, you can't force it out of her," Alder said, exasperated.
"So what do you do now?" Reed asked.
Did he have a choice? He was the one head over heels for her.
Before he could answer, Flora appeared.
"Alder," she called softly.
"Flora," Alder responded.
"Can I talk to you privately?" Flora asked.
"Okay," Alder replied and went out with her.
Outside the bar—
"Alder," Flora called again.
"Yes," he replied.
"I forgive you for everything you did to me. And... I'm ready to continue the marriage with you," she said, her voice trembling.
Alder looked at her, stunned. It was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard her say. But he kept his tone gentle. "Flora, you're a good person. And I really appreciate the chance you're giving me... but it's impossible between us."
He knew he owed her. He had accepted the marriage alliance to make Willow stay and work for Reed. So yes, he owed her a lot.
"Why? Why don't you love me like you love Willow?" Flora asked, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Because my heart is too small... it can't accommodate two women," Alder replied quietly.
"Alder... I believe I love you more than Willow ever could!" Flora insisted. "If she loved you, she would never have picked money over you."
"Just like you said—your love was enough for the both of us," Alder said, pausing. "My love is enough... for Willow and me."
"Alder..." she whispered, her voice small and broken. "What do I need to do? What do I do to make you love me... even a little... like you love Willow?"
"Love? I can't promise you that," Alder said gently. "But letting me go... that will make our relationship a little better."
And with that, he turned and went back inside to meet Reed.
Willow... if she hadn't come back, she would have been Mrs. Alder Smith by now, Flora thought bitterly.
---
Willow was at home that night, sketching heels and other footwear to match the bags Michael had shown her the day before. Her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
It was Flora.
She was waiting outside her house.
Willow stepped out, wearing long trousers and a blouse pajama set with a sweater on top.
"Miss Flora," she called as she approached.
Pah!
The sound of the slap echoed loudly. Even nearby onlookers gasped at its sharpness.
Willow stood frozen, her cheek stinging, her breath caught in her throat. Around them, the street fell deathly silent.