A Heart Broken by Time

Freddie finally softened a little and texted to ask where I was.

A glimmer of hope rose in me. I thought he might come to pick me up.

However, the one who showed up was his good friend, Hugo Gilbert.

Sitting in the car, Hugo showered me with concern. He kept hinting between the lines that Freddie was trying to set the two of us up.

I forced a smile, though my heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

For the past four years, Freddie had always kept a close watch on me.

Whenever a guy appeared around me, he would go out of his way to dig up every detail about him. He'd then lecture me, telling me not to date too early.

He knew Hugo liked me.

Back then, he had been completely against it. He'd even warned Hugo that I was still too young. If Hugo had any thoughts about me, they could forget about being friends.

Yet now, Freddie was the one pushing me toward Hugo.

The thought nearly brought me to tears again.

What was he so worried about? I wasn't going to cling to him.

Besides, I wouldn't even have the chance since I was dying.

While we were stopped at a red light, Hugo asked if I wanted to have dinner together.

The hopeful, slightly nervous look in his eyes reminded me of myself when I confessed to Freddie.

I turned him down without hesitation.

Perhaps it was my pale face or how weak my voice sounded, but Hugo only wore a disappointed smile without saying another word.

The traffic was heavy on the way back. It was already dark by the time I got home.

The house was quiet. Freddie wasn't back yet.

He probably wouldn't be back tonight either.

With a sigh, I walked into the hallway and sat down, staring blankly at the white camellia in the garden.

Freddie and I had planted this camellia tree together three years ago.

At that time, I had just watched a romance film.

In the movie, the leads planted a sycamore tree together. But I wanted to plant a camellia with Freddie instead.

I didn't really know why.

Maybe it was because the first time I saw him, the camellias in the park were in full bloom. He stood there in a white shirt, looking just like one of those flawless white petals.

When I brought this up, Freddie was a little surprised. However, he didn't ask any questions since he always doted on me.

We planted it on a warm morning. And along with it, a quiet longing had rooted in my heart.

A deafening clap of thunder yanked me back to reality.

I stared at the diagnosis slip that was now wrinkled from my tight grip. I was torn between telling Freddie and keeping it to myself.

At some point, I drifted off.

In a daze, I felt warmth embracing me. Someone sighed and gently lifted me up.

I forced my eyes open and met Freddie's cold, sharp gaze.

I didn't know if it was just my imagination. For a split second, I thought I saw deep sorrow in those dark eyes.

"Fred…" My voice was hoarse from being out in the wind all night.

Seeing that I was awake, Freddie threw me onto the couch without the slightest hint of sympathy.

He cut me off coldly. "Rosalie, do you really think this will make me feel sorry for you?"

My chest tightened. I lowered my eyes and smiled bitterly. "I just accidentally fell asleep."

His eyes grew colder.

"I made it very clear to you that day. We can only be siblings even if we're not related by blood! If you don't want me to hate you even more, then stop playing any tricks!"

Freddie's words cut through me like a knife, leaving my heart raw and bleeding.

I suddenly remembered the diagnosis slip crumpled in my hand. Gripping it tighter, I quickly tried to hide it behind me.

Freddie noticed my movement and frowned. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing." I shook my head quickly.

Suspicion filled his eyes as he leaned down to grab my hand. However, his expression changed in the next second.

At the same time, I felt warmth trickling from my nose. I was having another nosebleed.

Freddie quickly grabbed tissues for me. Seeing that the blood wouldn't stop, he questioned what was happening while calling his private doctor.

I stopped him in a hurry. "It's nothing. I've just been too stressed. It'll stop in a bit."

He suddenly erupted in fury. "Rosalie, why are you being so dramatic?"

That one sentence made my heart freeze completely. Unconsciously, a self-mocking smile tugged at my lips.

I was indeed being dramatic, going so far as to hide my condition.

Perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh, Freddie irritably rubbed his brow.

When he spoke again, his tone had softened, as if trying to hold himself back. "Come with me to the doctor. A sudden nosebleed isn't something to take lightly."

His rare gentleness made my nose sting. My grip loosened slightly. "Fred, actually I…"

Just as I was about to tell him the truth, the front door swung open. Bianca walked in.