A Love That Ended in Blood

He placed Edith gently on the sofa and knelt halfway to apply medicine to her hand. “Why are you always so careless?”

Earl’s movements were meticulous, his fingers light as he tended to the wound. Watching him, Edith couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.

“Brother,” she whimpered, hooking her pinky around his, her eyes welling with tears once more. “Do you really have to be with Edith?”

His hand froze momentarily but resumed its task as if her words hadn’t struck a nerve.

“Yes,” he replied calmly. “I’m almost thirty, and you’re an adult now. It’s time for me to settle down, and you should feel at ease starting your own life too.”

“Edith is a good girl,” he continued, his tone steady. “Don’t worry. She’ll treat you well. Even when we have children of our own in the future, you’ll always be my family. Everything I own will be divided equally between you.”

Such a generous, noble promise.

Edith should have been content with that.

She knew the truth—they weren’t related by blood. Earl had simply been a friend of her parents, taking her in after they passed and raising her for ten years, giving her a life of comfort and privilege.

She should have been grateful.

He was her family’s benefactor, wasn’t he?

But… but…

Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked at him. “Brother, I miss my parents.”

He acknowledged her softly. “Mm.”

Edith leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice trembling. “Do you miss them too?”

Earl didn’t push her away. Instead, he finished tying a neat bow on the bandage around her hand, capped the iodine bottle, and tidied up the medical kit. “Yes,” he said simply. “I do miss them.”

Nestled against him like a baby bird seeking warmth, Edith murmured, “It’s good to miss them.”

That evening, Edith came home carrying a beautifully packaged fruit basket.

Her long, wavy hair and flawless makeup radiated the confidence and charm of a mature woman.

Kicking off her high heels at the door, she stood barefoot until Earl handed her a pair of disposable slippers.

Edith slipped them on and looked down at her feet. The slippers were decorated with bright yellow ducks—playful and childish. She glanced over and saw Earl’s pair in blue, just as quirky and completely at odds with his usual polished demeanor of tailored suits and leather shoes.

She couldn’t suppress a giggle, covering her mouth with one hand. “Mr. Frost, wearing something so childish? It doesn’t suit you at all.”

Earl chuckled, his expression warm. “Children like them, so we just go along with it.”

Earl greeted Edith warmly, “Your sister heard about your injured hand and was so worried she insisted on coming to see you.”

His tone carried a subtle sense of pride, as though Edith’s kindness and thoughtfulness were his own achievements, something to be proud of, like a man boasting about his beloved.

Edith forced a sweet smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you, Aunt Edith.”

Edith laughed lightly, reaching out to touch her head. “Aunt? I’m only ten years older than you! Just call me sister.”

Carefully avoiding Edith’s injured hand, she gently guided her toward the fruit basket she’d brought. “I picked out some fruits for you. Make sure to take care of that hand.”

The fruit basket didn’t have much variety, but each item was something Edith loved.

Earl glanced at it with a trace of surprise. “You actually know what she likes to eat? That’s impressive. She’s a picky one.”

Edith’s smile grew, a touch of pride in her expression. “Of course! I care about her deeply.”

Her gaze, filled with affection, lingered on Edith as she spoke.

Yes, the more thoughtful she was toward Edith, the more it reflected how much she loved him.

Earl was like a clean, bright house filled with light, while Edith felt like a lonely crow perched in its shadow, forever out of place.

As the conversation continued, Edith unconsciously bit her lower lip, her emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

Carefully, Edith pulled out the fruits, revealing a teddy bear tucked at the bottom of the basket. She held it up with a triumphant smile, as though seeking approval.

“Last time I saw the old teddy bear in your room with its stuffing coming out, I searched high and low to find the exact same one. It must mean a lot to you, right?”

The surge of overwhelming love in her voice was undeniable, pressing in like a tide Edith couldn’t escape.

She felt like she might drown in it.

“I will love you, Edith,” Edith whispered, her words soft but resolute.