Eugene’s face was pale.
“Zee, don’t scold Wallace. It’s me—I shouldn’t have moved in and disturbed you. He’s only upset because he cares about you. Me? I’m just a burden.”
“How could you be a burden? You’re my little brother!”
Suddenly, a sharp pain throbbed in my temple.
No matter how many times I witnessed their sibling-like bond, I only found it irritating and nauseating.
Unexpectedly, a hand pressed against my door.
“Wallace, apologize to Luigi!”
I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“He hit himself, and I have to apologize?”
Zelda snapped back, “Luigi wouldn’t lie to me. Are you really the kind of man who can’t own up to what he’s done?”
I let out a cold laugh.
She would always believe only what she wanted to believe.
Her dear little brother pretended to mediate from the side.
“Please don’t fight because of me. I’m sorry, I hurt myself…”
Zelda held Eugene’s hand but glared at me.
“I never realized you were this kind of person before. A man like you honestly disgusts me.”
Her gaze was like a blade, cutting deep into my heart and making it bleed.
In the end, I didn’t apologize. I never would.
Eugene kept complaining about his waist hurting, so Zelda had no choice but to help him downstairs.
Watching their retreating figures, I suddenly remembered—I needed to go to the hospital too.
I hadn’t been sleeping well.
I didn’t even know when it started, but sleepless nights had become my norm.
I’d tried all kinds of home remedies, and when none of them worked, I finally decided to see a doctor.
There weren’t many people at the hospital today, so I got my prescription quickly.
On my way down, I spotted Zelda and Eugene.
Not that it was surprising—this was the closest hospital to home.
Zelda’s sultry figure was pressed tightly against Eugene, one hand holding his waist, the other carrying a bag of medicine.
She drew plenty of envious stares from men.
“What are you looking at?!” A pregnant woman, seeing her husband eyeing Zelda, pinched him in jealousy.
Eugene looked embarrassed, but Zelda remained completely unfazed.
We ran into each other at the elevator.
I said nothing, but Eugene instinctively put some distance between them.
His face was slightly red.
“Wallace might get jealous if he sees.”
Zelda frowned. “You’re injured. How can you walk without support?”
Then, out of nowhere, she turned to me.
“Why are you here? Are you sick?”
I showed her the medicine.
“Just insomnia.”
She hesitated for a moment.
“I’ll ask my assistant to buy some lavender for you. You can put it in your bedroom.”
She wanted to say more, but Eugene interrupted.
He started complaining about his waist again, looking more pitiful than someone who’d actually been stabbed there.
The elevator descended steadily—until suddenly, with a loud boom, it came to an abrupt stop.
The lights went out.
“Ah!” Zelda let out a startled cry.
She was afraid of the dark. She had claustrophobia.
My heart clenched. I called out instinctively, “Zelda! Zelda, are you okay?”
She trembled and gave a soft “Mm.”
In the darkness, I heard the rustling of fabric.
“Zee, hold me tight. Don’t be scared.”
“Luigi…”
A man’s gentle voice comforting her.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
There had been another time, long ago, when Zelda and I got stuck in an elevator together.
The lights had suddenly gone out, and the elevator had stalled between floors.
She had trembled uncontrollably, her body drenched in cold sweat.
Zelda rarely lost composure in public, but that time—she had buried herself in my arms and refused to let go, clinging to me like a needy kitten.
But now, she didn’t need me anymore. She trusted Eugene without hesitation.
I could still remember the softness of her in my arms.
But she shattered that memory with her own hands.
“Luigi, as long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of the dark anymore.”
I had no idea how much time passed, but eventually, the lights flickered back on.
