Chapter 25
I myself for
I slide my jacket on and glance in the mirror, running a hand through my hair to smooth it down. Taking a deep breath, I try to steel m what I am about to do.
Valentine is definitely going to make fun of me for showing up like this. He will bask in the fact that I worried about him.
“Be back before dinner, okay!” Mom calls from the kitchen.
“Sure!” I respond, already halfway out the door.
The car was parked in the driveway, waiting for me, when I called for John. Dad insists on having him take me everywhere, even to school. For oner. I’m kind of grateful for it.
I climb into the back seat, and John, our driver, gives me a polite nod. “Where to. Miss?” he asks.
Here we go.
“Valentine’s place,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I give him the address and lean back in the seat.
My heart’s pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to jump out of my chest. Is this a mistake?
Valentine told me not to come to his house. He sounded so serious. What if he gets mad at me for showing up?
Then again, maybe this is exactly what he deserves.
Payback. Stupid Valentine, always sticking his nose into my business, following me around, and forcibly calling me his girlfriend
A small smile creeps onto my face. Yeah, this is revenge. Sweet, sweet revenge
My cheeks heat up as I remember the time he announced to those mean girls that I was his girlfriend. What an idiot.
The car pulls into a quiet neighborhood, stopping in front of a small house with a worn front porch. My heart thuds louder. This is it. I’m really doing this.
“Do you want me to wait here. Miss John asks, glancing at the house curiously.
voice steady, even though I’m far from calm. “No, it’s fine. I’ll call you when I’m ready
I try to keep my w
Stepping out of the car, I walk toward the front door, my legs feeling alittle heavier with each step. 1 can sense John’s eyes on my back, watching, waiting until I go inside..
With the soup clutched tightly in my hand, approach the front door and rabe my fit to knock. My hand hovers for a moment, and my heart is racing so fast I’m sure I can hear it echo in my cars. Am I really doing thh?
Before I can talk myself out of it. I knock. Firmly.
The sound echoes through the quiet afternoon, and 1 freeze, holding my breath as I wait,
After what feels like forever, the door creaks open, and a woman stands there, staring back at me.
“H–h.” I starter, feeling my nerves spike.
She looks like she’s in her late thirties or forties, her black hair streaked with gray. Her face is tired, the kind of tired that makes you wonder what life has thrown at her. Deep lines crease her forehead, her pale skin is ashen with a few blemishes, and her gray eyes are piercing–just like Valentine’s. That’s where the resemblance ends.
This has to be lus mom, I think.
“Can I help you?” she asks, her tone polite but guarded.
I clear my throat, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “Hium. I was looking for Valentine.”
She blinks, looking surprised, like it’s weird for anyone to show up asking for him. “Valentine isn’t feeling well, Do you mind coming back another
“I know,” I blurt out, shifting the soup nervously in my hands, “I’m hisuh a friend from school. I wanted to bring him some soup.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “O”
1/3
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Chapter 25
“Can I come in?” I ask quickly, the heat rising to
just annoying her by showing up like thist
to my neck. What if this is a mistake? What if I’m ju
She blinks again, almost like she forgot I was standing there. “Oh! Yeals, sorry,” she says, opening the door wider. “Trn not used to visitors. Valentine never lus friends over, especially not girls,” she adds, eyeing me curiously,
As I step inside, the faint smell of cleaning products mixed with something carthy hits ine. The living room is cozy but cluttered, with mismatched furniture that feels like it’s been here forever, It’s lived–in, for sure, Init there ste little hints of neglect–like no one’s had the time or energy locare for it properly.
“Thank you.” I mumble, looking around.
“I’m Shelly, Valentine’s mother. And you are!
“Scarlet” I say, meeting her gaze with a small smile,
Shelly’s face softens just a bit. “Well, thank you for conting to check on Valentine. He’s been sick. I tried to get him to see a doctor, but he’s stubborn. Always has been. Says he’s fine when he clearly ist), Independent to a fault, tot boy, she says, her words trailing off like she’s lost in Thought.
“Where is he?” Lask, shifting the soup nervously in my hambs.
“In his room. Just up there, door to your left She glauces at her watch and suddenly looks rushed. “I’ve got to heal out–overnight shift this work, And my boss will have my head if I’m late,” She grabs her coat and beads toward the door
“Okay. I just go see him 1 reply, feeling awkward but determined.
Shelly gives me an encouraging nod before stepping outside, leaving me standing alone in the quiet living room, I take a moment to steady antyself, the soup in my hands suddenly feeling heavier. Then I make my way to the room she pointed out, each step feeling like it’s carrying me closer to the unknown.
I stop in front of his door and knock li
lightly, my b
heart lummering.
“Valentine? It’s Scarlet, I call softly. “Can I come in?”
No answer.
I hesitate, nerves twisting in my stomach, Should I just walk in? What if he doesn’t want to see met Bat then I think of him lying there, sick and alone, and it pushes me to turn the handle.
The sight that greets me makes my stomach drop.
Valentine is sprawled across his bed, pole and disheveled, his eyes closed. The room is a mess, clothes scattered everywhere, and the sour smell of vomit hangs heavy in the air. It mixes unpleasantly with the faint trace of cleaning products from the rest of the house.
“Valentine?” I gasp, stepping inside. “Oh my God, what happened!”
He groans in response, barely moving
The smell is awful 1 wrinkle my nose, trying not to gag. I can’t believe he’s just lying here like this.
I look around the room. It’s small—jus big enough for a bed and a tiny desk. I set the soup down on the desk and move closer to him,
As I get nearer, I see his face and neck are slick with sweat, his skin shining with a sickly sheen. My chest nightens with worry
And then I spot it–the source of the smell.
He’s thrown up all over the side of his bed.
“Gross,” I mutter under my breath.
“Oh, Valentine,” I whisper, forcing down the wave of nausea rising in my throat,
“No. Please, go. I’m fine, he mumbles, not even opening his eyes.
“You are definitely not fine!” I snap, stepping closer and shaking his shoulder gently. “You need help. Let me get you cleaned up.”
He groans again, barely lifting his head. “I said I’m fine Just tired,” he mutters, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Stubborn. Just like his moin said.
2:29 PM
Chapter 25
“You’re lying in your own vomit, Valentine. It’s disgusting. Come on,” I say, rugging at his arm.
He doesn’t budge, and I feel completely out of my depth. I’ve never had to take care of a sick person before, and this.. this is so far outside of my comfort zone.
Should I call for help?
No. He’d hate that. I can tell he wouldn’t want anyone else seeing him like this.
1 take a deep breath, steeling myself. I can do this. I’m not going to be some weak, little spoiled girl who can’t handle a mess.
“Wright, Valentine,” I mutter, rolling up my sleeves “Let’s get you cleaned up
1 take a deep breath, steeling myself, Valentine needs me, and no matter how overwhelming this feels, I’m not backing down.
“Okay, here’s the plan,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel “First, we’re getting you off this bed and into the bathroom so you can clean up. Then, I take care of this mess. Deal?”
Valentine’s eyelids flutter open, his gaze unfocused. “S–Sear” he murmurs weakly.
“Yeah, it’s me,” I reply, my heart softening a little at how vulnerable he sounds. “You’ve got to trust me, okay? Let’s get you out of bed and into the bathroom. I’ll help you.”
He blinks a few tires, like he’s trying to piece things together. “Scar. You shouldn’t you can’t see me like this.”
“I’m not leaving.” I say firmly, ignoring the knot of nausea in my stomach. The smell in here is unbearable, but he needs me more than I need fresh air. “Valentine, come on. Help me out here.”
He lets out a resigned sigh, then slowly pushes himself up, wincing with the effon I move quickly, wrapping an arm around his waist to support him. He’s burning up, and the heat radiating off him only deepens my worry.
“Slowly, okay? Just lean on me. Can you make it so the bathroom?” I ask gently,
“Yeah,” he mumbles, his voice barely audible.
We stumble toward the bathrooms, his weight heavy against me, but I manage to get him there. I guide him to sit on the edge of the bathtub and turn on the faucet, testing the water until it’s warm enough.
- II. I’ll help
elp you take your shirt off,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. This is not how I ever imagined seeing him like this.
“This is embarrassing,” he mutters, his eyes half–closed, his voice full of exhaustion.
“shut up and let me help you.” I retort, though my tone is sofi.
I can see the vulnerability in his eyes, and i tugs at something deep inside me, We have to take your clothes off. You’re drenched in sweat, and honestly? You stink,” I add, wrinkling my nose. “I’ll turn around if you want to do it yourself”
“You can see me naked if you want, Princess. My body is yours,” he says with a weak chuckle, but it quickly dissolves into dry, hacking coughs.
I roll my eyes. Is he seriously flirting with me right now? In this state? Typical.
“Raise your arms,” I order, refusing to let him get to me
