Chapter 101: He Hesitated

Vicky’s POV

I stood in the hallway, frowning deeply at Yana. She returned the look with a defiance that made me want to roll my eyes. My sister was fighting for her life in that room, and here Yana was, being stupidly clingy toward Jaxon. I didn't know much about two adults of different genders being friends, but this level of friendliness at this particular moment felt entirely wrong.

“You really think I’m going after a married man?” She raised a shocked brow, acting as if her every action hadn't been hinting at exactly that. Rosa and I had been watching her like hawks, and that was the only logical conclusion we could reach.

Yeah, sure, she was his childhood friend. Great. But there are boundaries that even I, as Beth’s own sister, wouldn't dream of crossing.

“That is the impression you’re giving,” I countered flatly.

Yana let out a short, dry chuckle and shoved the tray of food toward me. I grabbed it just before it could slip from her hands. “I know it doesn't look like it, but I’m married,” she blurted out. My brows shot up in surprise. My eyes immediately dropped to her ring finger; it was bare. “My husband and I are going through a difficult time right now, but that doesn't mean I’m going to force myself on Jaxon.”

I stood there, paralyzed by my thoughts. I didn't know whether to feel guilty for my accusations or to stand my ground. After all, being married has never stopped a woman from flirting with a childhood friend before.

“I just want to be there for Jaxon because no one understands him the way I do. Not even Beth.” She shook her head as a stray tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m have watched him break. Watched him pull away from the world and even from me. So no, I’m not trying to flirt with him. I have zero romantic feelings for that man.”

Yana exhaled a heavy sigh and shook her head in disbelief before brushing past me. I smacked my lips together, looking down at the meal she had prepared for Jaxon. I carried it downstairs and set it on the dining table. I didn't have the courage to try and persuade him to eat; the man carried a dangerous, volatile aura around him lately. I didn't know if he had always been this way, but ever since I arrived, he had been ice-cold to everyone.

He was freezing out his mother, his father, his brother, and even his friends. It was a minor miracle he had even agreed to let me stay here until Beth recovered. He hadn't even wanted to let his own mother across the threshold.

After spending some time with Beth and carefully applying her skin ointment, I retreated to the guest bedroom to call the woman I’d hired to watch over my father. Once she assured me he was stable, I decided to keep Miss Alice company until Beth’s friend, Rosa, arrived. She was carrying an armful of books and a USB drive.

“When I went over to Apex, I ran into Beth’s friend Austin. He was a huge help,” Rosa said, waving the flash drive in front of my face. “Can you believe there’s a foreign student in their class who records every single lecture? On your spare time, you can listen to these and help me make summaries. When Beth finally wakes up, she won't be three miles behind on her coursework.”

My heart warmed at the thought that my sister had a friend who was willing to go to the ends of the earth for her. We still had no idea when Beth would decide to grace us with her sweet voice again, but we were doing everything in our power to ensure she wouldn't be overwhelmed when she did.

Rosa and I spent the next hour pouring over Austin’s notes, painstakingly copying them into Beth’s notebook. I had finished my education after high school, so a lot of the university-level material went over my head, but Rosa seemed to have a firm grasp on it. She told me she had already covered these topics at her university.

The sound of heavy footsteps snapped us out of our concentration. We looked toward the door to find Mr. Sinclair and Talon. They had made it a habit to come by at this hour every day to check on Beth’s progress.

“Any signs?” Talon asked, his feet already carrying him toward the stairs. That was all he ever did, he had tunnel vision for Beth. He didn't seem to care about anyone else in the house, and while I wasn't trying to be nosy, even I could see that his brother was losing his mind so the least Talon could do was pay some attention to him.

Unlike Talon, Mr. Sinclair always made a point to ask about his eldest son. When I told him Jaxon was in the study, he headed that way. But, as usual, Jaxon became visibly upset that someone had invaded his space. The poor man was forced to beat a quiet retreat, and went to check on Beth instead.

“I feel like he hates his family,” I muttered to Rosa, who had been a silent witness to the whole awkward exchange. He could tolerate my presence in his home, but he couldn't stand his own flesh and blood.

“Last time, Beth told me they all went out for lunch together,” Rosa muttered as her brow furrowed in thought. “If he hates them, why would he do that? Do you think the only reason he stays close to them is because of Beth?”

I shrugged. If that was the case, they were putting a suffocating amount of responsibility on poor Beth’s shoulders. Jaxon was short-tempered and his glares were intense; I honestly didn't know how Beth survived that look every single day.

“Beth... Beth, it's me, Talon!”

We both jumped at the sound of Talon’s frantic voice coming from upstairs. Jaxon’s study door flew open. From the corner of my eye, I saw him pause at the threshold with a look of agonizing hesitation. It was as if he desperately wanted to run to her, but was fighting an even stronger urge to stay away.

Rosa and I sprinted into the bedroom. My eyes widened and tears of pure joy flooded my vision as I saw Beth. She was sitting up, her back resting against the headboard. Her eyes were heavy and unfocused as she looked at me—no, not at me. She was looking past me toward the doorway, as if waiting for someone specific to come running in.

“Beth... my dear Beth.” Talon cupped her cheeks, gently forcing her to look at him. She offered a weak, fragile smile before her gaze drifted back to the door.

“Vicky...” Her voice was barely a whisper, but I heard it as clearly as a shout. I hurried over, not even waiting for Talon to move before I climbed onto the bed and pulled my little sister into a tight embrace, my tears coming down like July rain.

“Don’t suffocate her now,” Mr. Sinclair said. He had his phone pressed to his ear; he was likely already on the line with the doctor.

“Uhm... water,” I said, pointing at the jar on the bedside table. Talon quickly filled a glass and held it to Beth’s lips. She took slow sips, her eyes still fixed stubbornly on the door.

What the hell? Why wouldn't Jaxon just come upstairs?