Chapter 4
When it came time to order, he listed a series of dishes, “No parsley. less oil, less salt, spicy and sour…”
They were all Freya’s favorite dishes.
It wasn’t until the waitress asked what Helen liked to eat that Carter suddenly remembered her and turned to look at her.
“I’m fine with anything,” she said, lowering her head to sip her tea, the steam blurring her vision.
Once all the dishes were served, Helen ate mechanically.
It wasn’t until her throat tightened that she realized the donuts were filled with peanuts.
She was allergic to peanuts!
Carter had always remembered her food restrictions and would remind her not to eat peanuts, especially when getting food at the cafeteria.
But now, he had ordered an entire plate of peanut–filled donuts.
“Helen?” Freya noticed something was wrong with Helen. “Are you okay?”
Carter looked up. When he saw Helen’s flushed face, he stood up abruptly. “Did you cat peanuts?”
Helen’s breathing grew heavier, and her vision blurred.
In a daze, she saw Carter rushing toward her, only to be stopped by Freya’s cry. “Ah… My stomach hurts…”
Time seemed to stop.
Helen watched Carter hesitate, torn between her and Freya.
Finally, he picked up Freya, rushed to the waitress, and said urgently, “Please take my sister–in–law to the hospital.”
“Sir? Sir!” The waitress’s voice faded as they left.
Helen lost consciousness.
The smell of disinfectant made her eyes sting.
She opened her eyes to see a nurse changing her IV.
“You’re awake,” the nurse said, relieved. “You’re lucky. The waitress. brought you here in time. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal.”
Helen tried to speak, but her throat burned painfully.
The image of Carter carrying Freya away without hesitation kept replaying in her mind.
She closed her eyes, and tears rolled down into her hair.
For three days in the hospital, Helen lay alone in bed. Her allergic rash made her skin unbearably itchy, and her throat was so swollen she could barely swallow.
During her worst moments, she overheard the nurses outside her door.
“The pregnant woman in Room 308 is having strong fetal movements,
and her husband is worried sick.”
“The patient in Room 302 is severely allergie, but her husband hasn’t even visited. Looks like he’s gone…”
Helen buried her face in the pillow.
Yes, her husband had died long ago.
He died three months ago during that mission. He died the moment he chose to be someone else’s husband.
The day Helen was discharged, the sun was bright.
Just as she reached the hospital entrance, she spotted the familiar military green jeep.
The next second, Freya walked out the door.
The car door opened. Carter rushed over, gently holding Freya’s waist. “Slow down. The doctor said you need to rest.”
His tender voice was the same as when he used to soothe Helen.
Helen stood there, watching the jeep drive off. The exhaust fumes hit her pale face.
Hed:
He didn’t even glance in her direction.
車**
The evening air was cool.
Helen opened the door and saw a tall figure standing by the entrance.
Carter stood there, carrying bags of supplements, with mesh bags of
malted milk, sugar, and canned food at his feet.
“Helen,” he said, walking quickly toward her. “Is your allergy better?”
How ironic.
He had ignored her all day. But now, he acted affectionately when no one was around.
“Thank you for your concern, Caleb. I’m feeling much better now.” Helen stepped around him and headed for the door.
Carter quickly grabbed her wrist. “Take these to help regain your strength.”
“No need-”
“Caleb! Something’s wrong!” Freya suddenly burst into the yard, her face streaked with tears. “I’ve been reported for illegally trading city return permits for educated youth!”
Chapter 5
