My Sister’s Vice Needs My Fiancé

Chapter 3

Randal and Sandra paled instantly. They forgot all about scolding me and hurried to have someone call Wendell.

But before anyone could dial his number, Wendell was already standing in the doorway with his medical bag.

He nodded at Randal and Sandra. "I tracked her cycle. I figured an episode was due soon."

Sandra breathed a visible sigh of relief. She quickly stepped out of his way. "Dr. Yount, thank goodness—please, come right in."

I stood by the entryway. The second he brushed past me, I spoke up and stopped him. "Dr. Yount, is there really no one else who can treat Yvette's condition?"

He froze mid-step and glanced over his shoulder.

The hallway light fell across his face, casting a small shadow over his eyes. "Yvette's body is used to my current treatment plan. If we switch doctors or methods out of nowhere, her system might not handle it well—her episodes could actually get worse."

Plan?

There was no real plan.

A cold chill settled in my chest.

Wendell himself was the only "medicine" that worked for Yvette.

He must have picked up on my mood. His gaze settled on my face, and his tone softened a little. "Violet, don't overthink this. Yvette's just another patient. My only obligation to her is as her doctor."

Wendell pressed a paper bag into my hand. His fingertips brushed my palm by accident—they felt cool to the touch. "It's Pear Honey Syrup. I had someone make it for you. You've been coughing a lot at night lately—take a spoonful before bed to soothe your throat."

With that, he turned around, pushed open Yvette's bedroom door, and stepped inside.

The second the door clicked shut, I heard a low moan from Yvette. Then it was cut off, muffled by something.

Randal and Sandra finally let out a breath of relief.

Forty minutes later, the door opened.

Wendell stepped out. The top button of his shirt was undone, and there was a crumpled crease right where someone had grabbed it.

He walked over to me. His voice was rougher than before. "Violet, let me check you over."

When he leaned in, I caught a whiff of that cloying sweet smell.

It was the exact same scent that had filled the room after he'd "treated" Yvette that day in my past life.

It made my stomach turn.

I stepped back half a step without thinking and turned my face away. "No need."

Wendell acted like he didn't notice. He took my wrist anyway and asked, "You look terrible. Have you been having trouble sleeping?"

He looked at me, his eyes soft in that coaxing way of his. "You've been wanting to go to the amusement park, right? I took two days off. I can take you there—get your mind off things for a while."

"I'm not in the mood." I pulled my hand away.

Wendell froze for a second. He sounded guilty when he spoke again. "Violet, I know I've been busy lately. I promise I'll clear my schedule for the next few days. I'll make time for you, okay?"

Right as he finished speaking, the door behind him opened again.

Yvette stepped out, leaning on the doorframe. The flush was still on her cheeks, and stray strands of hair stuck to her face, damp with sweat.

She didn't dare look up at him. She kept her eyes down and spoke in his direction. "Thank you, Dr. Yount."

Wendell turned slightly. His gaze fixed on her.

His Adam's apple bobbed once. His voice came out low and rough, like he was forcing the words out. "It's just my job as a doctor. You don't have to thank me."

They stood a few feet apart, but it felt like there was some invisible wall between them—and I was on the outside of it.

I couldn't stand to watch it any longer. "I'm going back to my room."

Less than ten minutes after I got back to my room, Yvette showed up. "Violet, what Dr. Yount and I did in there was just treatment. I know how bad I look during an episode—I didn't want anyone to see me like that, so I closed the door. Don't get the wrong idea."

Her eyes were full of guilt. "Dr. Yount's the reason my symptoms are under control. He's why I get to live at home, staying with Dad and Mom. I'm only grateful to him—nothing more, I swear."

I asked, "Yvette, Tanner's coming back soon, isn't he?"