Shadows of Us

The commotion drew Roy over, and the first thing Willow did was put away her phone when she saw him.

Oblivious to her subtle gesture, Roy strode over the mess and scooped her up with one arm. He turned on the tap with the other. The scalded skin on the back of her foot went numb for a moment under the cold water, followed by a wave of excruciating pain.

Willow bit her lips, her face discolored.

Roy gripped her ankle with a grimace. “You’re not a child anymore, Willow. How did you manage to tip over a pot of boiling water?”

In a fit of frustration and pain, Willow bit down on Roy’s shoulder. Roy gritted his teeth but held onto her.

“Did you burn yourself, Willow? I hope it isn’t bad.” Sierra emerged at the kitchen door, looking anxious. “I’ll get you something for the burns.”

Roy took a glance at Willow’s foot and carried her out, passing Sierra. “We’re going to the hospital.”

When the car started, Sierra limped after them and insisted on coming along because she was concerned about Willow too.

As Roy sped along the road, Willow’s phone in the bag buzzed. Feeling the vibration through the fabric of her face, Willow could not feel more annoyed.

Neither of them spoke, and silence settled tensely over the car.

Halfway to the destination, Sierra broke into tears in the back seat. “It’s all my fault, Willow. You wouldn’t have gotten burned if I hadn’t asked for short ribs. You remind me of my sister, and I just want to get close to you.”

Roy’s expression darkened at that comment.

While Willow said nothing, Roy, on the other hand, offered Sierra words of comfort.

Sierra kept the tears coming. “I’m sorry, Willow. I didn’t think things through. I should have realized you might not want to cook for someone else, especially since you made that dish specifically for Roy. I sprained my ankle when someone pushed me. It’s not my intention to trouble Roy. I didn’t mean to get injured.”

Struck by a thought, Roy made a face. He slammed the brakes right outside the hospital, and Willow nearly hit her face on the windscreen.

Roy looked at Willow with all the malice in the world.

“Is this a game to you, Willow? It’s just a dish. If you don’t want to make it, fine. Why go to such lengths? When are you going to stop this childish behavior? Get out!”

Willow stood barefooted on the cold cement floor outside the hospital, her feet chilly and throbbing.

As Roy sped away, she was reminded of that night in the storm. At least Roy dropped her off at the hospital today, and she smiled wryly at the thought.

Meanwhile, her phone in the bag buzzed incessantly, but it was a call this time. Willow took a deep breath, her brows furrowing irritably.

A gruff voice of a middle-aged woman boomed. “No money? Who are you trying to fool?

“You probably don’t know this, but Ian goes to school in Hereshire now. He saw you getting into a fancy car today. The car must be worth millions.

“You didn’t tell us that you got a sugar daddy. I’m only asking for a million dollars. He won’t be missing that much money. I got his license plate, so you better wire the money in a week, or I’ll talk to him myself.”

Willow gnashed her teeth and said curtly, “You get your monthly three grand and not a penny more.”

By the end of the call, Willow found herself shaking while clutching the phone. She felt a mix of anger and fear.

Then, the phone blared once more.

Exasperated, Willow sank her back against the wall and answered, “Can’t you just leave me alone? Beat it!”

‘Don’t yell at me, Willow…” Sierra’s timid voice came on the call. “I was just worried about you…”

Willow turned her attention to the screen, which showed Sierra’s number. Judging by Sierra’s docile behavior, Willow was certain that Sierra had put her on loudspeaker for Roy’s ears.

Sure enough, Roy’s icy voice pierced through the call.

“Apologize, Willow!”

Willow drew a deep breath and terminated the call with trembling hands.