His Warmth Wasn’t Mine, I Walked Away

Chapter 2

Summer swallowed the goodbye that had risen in her throat.

Mia affectionately took her arm. "Summer, come join us at the Abundant Valley Bonfire Gathering tonight!"

William looked up at her but said nothing.

If it were in the past, she would have gladly agreed. But now that she had resolved to walk away, she didn't want to insert herself between them and create awkwardness. Summer gently shook her head and declined. "You two go ahead. I still have some work to finish."

Hearing her refusal, an imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed William's eyes.

Mia's face fell instantly. "Then I'll definitely invite you to the next celebration," she said, reluctant to let it go.

Summer felt a pang in her chest as she remembered her transfer order. Still, unable to bear disappointing the young girl, she smiled and agreed. "Okay."

Mia mounted her horse. "William, shall we go?"

William nodded, preparing to mount, then looked back at Summer. "What were you trying to say earlier?"

Summer shook her head. "Nothing. Go ahead."

William gave her a long look, asked no further questions, and swung onto his horse. Summer stood there, watching the two ride side by side until their figures completely vanished, before returning to the Southern Valley Hospital alone.

*****

With only a few days left before her transfer, she needed to quickly hand over her duties and help the new medical staff get familiar with the clinic's procedures. She worked until dark. Just as she was explaining things to a newcomer, she looked up and saw William rushing into the emergency room carrying Mia.

She instinctively followed them in.

Inside the treatment room, William carefully placed Mia on the bed and quickly explained the situation to the doctor on duty. "She was burned by sparks from the bonfire. I've already rinsed it with cold water. Please apply some ointment."

He set aside the ice pack, revealing the red, swollen wound on her calf.

Seeing his panicked and anxious face, Summer forced herself to look away and walked out quietly. 'Since I've decided to let him go, I can't allow myself to be swayed by such scenes anymore.'

The next morning, the doctor on duty handed her a hand-woven bracelet. "The girl with the burn left this at the clinic yesterday. You know her, so could you get it back to her?"

Summer's hand closed around the bracelet, and she went still.

This was the birthday gift she'd made for William last year, the one she'd stayed up three nights straight to weave, strung with red coral beads. On the plateau, a woman who'd given her heart to someone wove him a coral bracelet. Summer had never been any good with the traditional woven belts, so she'd made this instead.

"Are you sure that girl dropped it?"

"A nurse found it in the women's restroom. There's no mistake," the doctor replied with certainty.

A chill swept through Summer's heart. He had actually given away the gift she had poured her heart into to Mia. After work, she made a special trip to Mia's house to confirm.

The moment she took out the bracelet, Mia happily snatched it. "Thank you! William lent this to me. He'd definitely be upset if I lost it."

Hearing this, the last ember of hope in Summer's heart was completely extinguished. She forced a smile. "He won't blame you."

Mia warmly insisted she stay for dinner. In the playful tug-of-war, her calf bumped against the table corner, and she let out a soft cry of pain. Just then, the door pushed open and William walked in. Seeing this, his expression changed instantly. He stepped forward quickly to steady Mia. "Sit still and don't move around."

Mia tugged his sleeve and whined, insisting on having Summer stay for dinner. William looked at Summer, his voice as cold and distant as ever. "It's late. You should eat before you go."

Summer knew very well that he only wanted to spare Mia from disappointment, not because he actually wanted her to stay. Her chest felt tight, but meeting his pressuring gaze, she eventually nodded. It was just a meal. She was leaving soon anyway; there was no need to make things awkward for everyone.