The hospital corridor was so quiet—empty and desolate—that every little sound seemed to echo. In the silence, Sydney Sawyer could faintly hear her own heartbeat thundering in her chest.
Sydney Sawyer felt utterly hopeless. Just a single smile from him felt like it could steal her soul away.
She even had the hopeless thought:
'I wish I could be his cat.'
"I was away for a night when it suddenly occurred to me that your windows aren't sealed. I started worrying that the cat might try to sneak out, and I couldn't relax. I figured it was better to come back and watch over him myself."
Sydney Sawyer mumbled and nodded. "He's very well-behaved."
"That's good."
Sebastian Lockwood only felt at ease now that he could see her.
Just then, a breeze drifted in through the window, carrying the warmth of the setting sun. The air felt so pleasant you could almost smell a hint of sweetness in it.
"I heard your brother was hospitalized?"
'It must have been Donovan Sheridan,' Sydney Sawyer thought. 'They're close, after all.' "Acute gastroenteritis. It scared me to death last night."
"Is that so?"
"Actually, he showed up during our video call yesterday, so you've seen him before. He's staying at my place."
Sebastian Lockwood grunted in acknowledgment. An "impression" was an understatement; the sight was seared into his memory.
Especially those baggy shorts!
"I should go see him. As his elder, it wouldn't be right for me to know he's sick and not pay him a visit," Sebastian Lockwood said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He just wanted to see for himself what this "sun-kissed, handsome, energetic young pup" Donovan Sheridan had described actually looked like.
Sydney Sawyer hesitated but finally decided to say something before they entered the hospital room.
"Mr. Lockwood, actually… my relationship with him is a little complicated…"
Sebastian Lockwood nodded. "I understand."
"You understand?" Sydney Sawyer frowned.
She had never told Sebastian Lockwood about her family situation. Something like her parents' divorce wasn't easy to bring up in casual conversation, and it certainly wasn't something she'd tell just anyone.
'How could he possibly understand? Did the Wyatts tell him?'
—
The door to the room was ajar. When Sydney Sawyer pushed it open, Chester Sawyer was sitting cross-legged on the hospital bed, engrossed in a team match on his phone. He looked up at the sound, and his eyes met Sebastian Lockwood's. He froze for a couple of seconds…
"Chester, this is Mr. Lockwood."
'Lockwood?'
The sensitive name instantly made Chester perk up. 'But why is she calling him Mr. Lockwood?'
'Shouldn't it be something like 'Big Bro' or 'Hubby'?'
'Is this some new kind of role-playing thing couples do?'
'Or maybe this Lockwood isn't *the* Lockwood?'
"Hello, Mr. Lockwood," Chester Sawyer said obediently nonetheless.
Sebastian Lockwood frowned. 'This kid…'
'Is he even an adult?'
Chester Sawyer had already been almost six feet tall as a sophomore in high school. But he was still a student, and he carried himself differently than a working adult.
Both men were sizing each other up. After showing Sebastian Lockwood to a seat, Sydney Sawyer poured him a glass of water. Since he already knew about her relationship with Chester, she figured there was no longer anything to hide.
"Chester had a bit of a disagreement with my dad recently…"
"Your dad?" Sebastian Lockwood's eyebrow shot up. He latched onto the key word. Being as sharp as he was, he understood instantly.
He suddenly felt ridiculous for having lost a night's sleep over this.
'Sydney has always been so sensible. Why would she let some random guy stay at her place?'
'He'd been stewing in jealousy all this time, and for what? His future brother-in-law?!'
There were plenty of ways he could have verified the boy's identity, yet Sebastian Lockwood had worried all night. It just went to show that anxiety really does cloud one's judgment.
"Yeah, so he ran away from home." Sydney Sawyer, oblivious to his inner turmoil, handed him the cup. "Here, have some water."
Sebastian Lockwood took the paper cup, his eyes sizing up Chester. It all made sense now. "He's still a student, isn't he?"
"A senior in high school," Sydney Sawyer replied.
"The college entrance exams are just a few days away. Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Sebastian Lockwood asked.
"I was admitted to university through special recommendation, so I don't need to take the exam."
"That's pretty impressive."
"What about you, Mr. Lockwood? Was the college entrance exam hard back in your day?"
"I don't know. I was also admitted by recommendation."
Sydney Sawyer suddenly felt like she didn't belong in this conversation.
Chester Sawyer nodded. He liked smart people; it made conversation so much easier. "So, what do you do for a living?"
"A doctor."
"That's a good profession, though it must be tough." Chester Sawyer smiled at him. "Doctors are usually compassionate people. Mr. Lockwood, do you like cats or dogs?"
Sydney Sawyer's eyes widened. Standing behind Sebastian Lockwood, she frantically tried to give Chester a warning look.
'This kid is way too sharp.'
"I have a cat at home."
"Don't tell me it's the one at my sister's place."
Sebastian Lockwood took a sip of water and nodded.
The expression on Chester Sawyer's face was absolutely priceless.
Just then, Sebastian Lockwood's phone buzzed. It was a call from his grandfather. "Excuse me, I'm going to take this outside."
The moment he was gone, Sydney Sawyer turned to warn Chester. "Don't you go saying whatever you want. We're not in that kind of relationship yet."
"I know. I can tell just by watching you two…" Chester Sawyer clicked his tongue in admiration. "Daring to hit on an 'uncle,' though… As expected of my sister."
'Badass!'
Sydney Sawyer gritted her teeth. For the first time, she could truly sympathize with her father's frustration.