He Rejected Me Thrice, I Caught Him With Her

Chapter 2

After that day with Ethan, I lay in my torn tent for two days, burning up with fever.

Maybe the last mission had worn my body out. Or maybe his words hurt too much.

On the third afternoon, Ethan came.

He stood at the tent opening, backlit. "Sylvia, Claire got sick after a mission yesterday.

"High fever. She needs the special medicine from the old research institute in the Eastern District. You know that place. If you find the medicine... this time, I promise I'll let you in."

I laughed. "Can't you see I have a fever too?"

He was quiet for a moment, then took my hand.

"Claire's healing ability is too important to the Safe Zone.

"This isn't just about saving her. It's about saving the Safe Zone.

"Trust me one last time, okay?"

"I'll think about it."

He sighed in relief. "I'll wait for your answer tomorrow morning at the isolation zone office."

That night I tossed and turned in a fever.

Memories flashed through my mind: the sweat-soaked days in military school, his back as he shielded me in the early days of the apocalypse.

Maybe it really was the last time.

The door to the isolation zone office was slightly ajar.

I pushed it open and froze.

On the bed, Ethan had his arms around Claire, both wrapped in the same blanket.

Claire curled against him, his cheeks flushed. Ethan's chin rested on the top of her head. He was fast asleep.

My mind went blank for three seconds.

"Ethan!"

My voice came out hoarse, almost a roar.

He woke with a start, his pupils shrinking. "Sylvia? How did you..."

Claire struggled to sit up, pulling the blanket tighter. "Sylvia, don't misunderstand..."

"Misunderstand?" My voice trembled. "What are you two doing?"

Ethan regained his composure and stepped in front of Claire. "He had a persistent fever. The medical center suspected an infection and ordered isolation. The conditions here are bad. He was shivering. I was just... keeping him warm."

I laughed out loud. "Ethan, do you take me for a three-year-old?"

Claire started crying. "Sylvia, really, it's not like that! Ethan just felt sorry for me..."

"Shut up." I locked eyes with her.

"I'm lying in a broken tent with a fever, and you're here holding him?"

His expression hardened. "Sylvia, can you stop making this about yourself for once? Claire's barely hanging on."

Somehow, those words hurt more than I expected.

There was a time when he had spoken the same way for me.

I looked at the two of them, at the crude cot and the tangled blanket.

"Fine," I said. "I'll go get the medicine."

His eyes lit up.

"But I have a condition. Come with me."