The Storm Came Before You

“No! Quiana has to go to the hospital first! I can’t let anything happen to her! Nothing is more important than her safety!”

Marcus’ frantic shouts were the last thing Yara heard before she passed out.

Darkness closed in and swallowed her.

It felt like she had been trapped in a long nightmare.

When she finally opened her eyes, she saw Yelena standing beside the bed. Her eyes were teary.

“Yara, I just got back and heard you were in an accident. The doctor said you lost a lot of blood. They almost couldn’t save you. I was so scared.”

When Yara saw her, all the pain she had kept inside came rushing out.

Her eyes welled up. She could not hold back anymore and hugged her tightly.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

They held each other for a long time.

After a while, Yelena poured her a glass of water and helped her drink. She remembered the doctor’s advice and tried to talk about something lighter.

“Have you been happy these past few years? Has Marcus treated you badly? Didn’t you say you had a boyfriend? When will you introduce him to me? I need to see what kind of person he is. If he doesn’t treat you well, I won’t approve.”

Yara’s expression froze.

“Mr. Quinn keeps work and personal matters separate. He never mistreated me. As for my boyfriend, we already broke up.”

Yelena had not expected that. She was afraid Yara would feel sad, so she quickly tried to comfort her.

“It’s fine. If one doesn’t work out, there will be a better one. I know plenty of handsome guys. I’ll introduce them to you.”

Before she could finish, the door to the hospital room opened.

Marcus walked in with a grim look on his face.

“Introduce her to who? No. You’re not introducing her to anyone. Those playboys you know are not right for her.”

Yelena’s lips trembled as soon as he shut her down.

“Playboys? Marcus, stop talking like that. They have only had two or three girlfriends. Not everyone is like you. You’re so devoted that you’ve stayed hung up on Quiana all these years. Besides, I’m setting Yara up with someone. Why do you have to interfere?”

Anger flared in Marcus’ chest, and his voice turned cold.

“I said no, and that means no. You can’t force feelings. Stop playing matchmaker.”

He was right. Feelings could not be forced.

It took Yara four years to learn that.

She gave a faint smile and gently pulled on Yelena’s hand while looking at Marcus calmly.

“Yelena was only joking. Mr. Quinn, did you need something?”

Marcus relaxed a little when he saw she was fine.

He wanted to say he had come to see her, but he swallowed the words.

“It’s nothing. Yelena heard about your accident and came to the hospital right after she landed. I came to take her home. I also stopped by to check on you.”

“Alright, Marcus. I’ll go home tonight. You can head back first. Yara was seriously hurt. You’re not allowed to give her any more work.”

Yelena spoke while pushing him out of the room.

When the room was quiet again, she started defending him.

“He may look scary, but he treats you well. The nurse said you were close to dying yesterday. He had blood brought in from all over the city to save you.”