Chapter 42
Laurel Pov
I woke up to the sound of stillness.
Nothing moved. Nothing spoke.
Only the pounding headache behind my eyes reminded me I was still alive.
"Laurel."
The voice came softly.
I turned my head and found Eric sitting at the edge of my bed.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "It's still very early."
"Yes, I know."
He looked down at his hands before glancing back at me.
"I just wanted to see you before I get ready for school."
I nodded.
Then I turned toward him.
"Can you stay at Nicholas' place for a while and come back later? Maybe you two can settle whatever misunderstanding you're having."
"Why?" he asked immediately.
"Because I don't want you falling behind in school or in life."
I paused before continuing.
"In two weeks, you'll be writing your midterm exams, and that requires focus."
"True," he replied, "but I can still focus without you pushing me away."
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"Even before death, I would still choose to be with you, Eric."
His expression softened.
"But I also want to see you do well without feeling like I'm pulling you down."
" Listen to me."
I leaned back against the pillow.
"Nicholas isn't as bad as you think. And who knows? Maybe the two of you will become closer like everyone else. I know he's trying his best."
Eric studied me carefully.
"Did he ask you to tell me this?"
"No."
"Did he agree to this?"
"He will," I answered confidently.
"Hm."
He was quiet for a moment.
"Okay. If that's what you want, I'll listen."
Then his expression brightened slightly.
"But can I still come visit you?"
"Of course."
I smiled.
"This is your house too, Eric."
He immediately leaned forward and hugged me.
"Then let me help you downstairs."
A few minutes later, I was seated comfortably in the living room.
Eric placed a pillow behind my back before stepping away.
"Let me get dressed for school."
I nodded.
He disappeared upstairs.
Not long after, Nicholas emerged from one of the bedrooms.
"Hey."
He looked me over carefully.
"You feeling better now?"
I nodded.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," he replied as he sat down.
"I need Eric to stay with you for at least a month."
His brows immediately pulled together.
"What happened? We can all stay here with you."
"True."
I glanced away.
"But I need rest, and I'm not getting much of it with everyone around."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you're sending us away? Including your brother?"
"Eric is losing focus in school."
I folded my hands together.
"His homeroom teacher called last night. Midterms are in two weeks."
"I need him focused, and I need your help to make that happen."
Nicholas stared at me for a long moment.
"Hm."
Then he leaned back.
"Still sounds like you're planning something."
"What could I possibly be planning?"
I gestured toward myself.
"I'm sick, remember? Business is doing fine."
He nodded slowly.
"Did he agree to come with me?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"After his birthday."
I paused.
"Three days from now."
His eyes widened.
"Damn."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I can't believe I almost forgot."
A laugh escaped him.
"I haven't even bought him a gift yet."
Then he looked at me.
"I'm jealous of him."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because even from a sick bed, you're still making plans for him."
A small smile found its way onto my face.
"Isn't he the luckiest person in the world?"
Before Nicholas could answer, Eric came downstairs fully dressed.
"Noona, I'm leaving."
"Make sure you rest."
I nodded.
As he turned toward the door, he suddenly stopped.
He looked at Nicholas.
"Good morning."
Nicholas blinked once before replying.
"Good morning."
Then Eric left.
The door had barely closed when it opened again.
Lee Joon walked in carrying a tray of food.
"Laurel. I made breakfast."
"Thank you."
I looked around.
"What about Eun Woo?"
"He left very early this morning," Lee Joon replied.
"Oh."
I nodded.
"Okay."
He placed the tray beside me.
Then quietly retreated toward the kitchen.
Nicholas remained where he was, watching me eat.
"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked.
"I already did."
Before I could respond, Seo Hee entered with the doctor.
"Time for your IV."
Wonderful.
The doctor spent his time carefully checking everything.
Blood pressure.
Temperature.
Pulse.
Questions.
Observations.
The soft rustle of gloves and medical tools filled the room.
The IV needle was prepared.
Cold light reflected off the metal.
I watched silently.
Just one week.
I can endure one week.
Just give them the version they want to see.
Not the one that collapses.
Not the one that hesitates.
Not the one that feels too much.
Just survive the act.
The doctor leaned closer.
A sharp sting pierced my skin as the IV entered.
My fingers twitched once before becoming still.
I exhaled slowly.
Keeping my face calm.
Controlled.
Untouched.
Because if I break now...
everything I built will start looking fragile.
When he finally finished, the doctor removed his gloves.
"You're doing much better than last time."
"That's good."
"But you still need rest."
"All of it."
I nodded.
"I understand."
"I'll walk you out," Nicholas offered as he stood.
Seo Hee followed him toward the door.
"Seo Hee."
She stopped.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure."
She remained behind while the others left.
The room became quieter.
"Where did you go last night after I fell asleep?"
"To meet Kang Dae."
I smiled.
Then frowned.
"Can you and your lover stop snooping around my house?"
She stared.
"I don't need you ruining my plans with your brother."
"What plans?"
"One that doesn't concern you."
She scoffed.
"That's harsh."
Then she looked me over.
"I thought you were sick."
"I am."
I pointed to my head.
"But my brain and mouth work perfectly fine."
She rolled her eyes.
I continued.
"I need you to stay with me for a while."
"Two weeks. After everyone leaves."
"We're planning to stay for a month," she replied.
I looked at her.
"Who exactly is 'we'?"
She immediately realized her mistake.
I continued before she could answer.
"I need rest."
"Real rest."
"And I can't get that with all of you here."
"Even Eric is leaving with Nicholas after his birthday."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"When is his birthday?"
"In three days."
She groaned.
"I can't believe I almost forgot."
"He'll be furious if I didn't get him a gift."
"Hm."
"If that's what you want," she said, "then it's fine."
"Just don't work."
I nodded.
As she turned to leave, I suddenly remembered something.
"Seo Hee."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"Can you help me pick up an order tomorrow?"
"What order?"
"A cake."
"I'll send you the address."
"What time?"
"7:45 p.m."
Her brows rose.
"That's late."
"I placed the order two weeks ago."
I looked away.
"I planned to pick it up after work."
She nodded.
"Okay."
Then she finally left.
The room slowly emptied.
The voices disappeared.
The footsteps faded.
And once again, the quiet returned.
Patient.
Gentle.
Calling sleep by its name.