Chapter 10
After that, Kevin and Clara became regulars at the bookstore.
Almost every weekend, they would come by and stay for an hour or two.
Clara always sat quietly in the corner on the small couch, completely absorbed in her picture her, reading in silence.
s Meanwhile, Kevin would pick a medical journal and sit beside
Sometimes, Jennifer would make them a pot of tea. Kevin would always thank her politely, and Clara would sweetly say a cheerful thank you before burying herself back in her books.
One sunny Saturday, Kevin suggested taking Clara to the amusement park.
“Come with us,” he said, pushing his glasses up and inviting her sincerely. “Clara keeps saying she wants to go with you.”
Jennifer had wanted to refuse, but she relented when she saw the eager look on Clara’s face.
The amusement park was filled with people. Clara held Kevin’s hand with one hand and Jennifer’s with the other, running around in excitement.
They rode the carousel, played bumper cars, and queued up for the Ferris wheel together.
At the top of the Ferris wheel, Clara suddenly pointed to a cloud in the distance and said, “Mommy lives there.”
Jennifer felt her heart tighten.
Kevin gently pulled Clara into his arms and whispered, “Mommy is watching you from the sky. She wants you to be happy every day.”
Clara nodded, then suddenly turned to Jennifer. “Can Ms. Jennifer be my new mommy?”
Both Jennifer and Kevin instantly froze.
Jennifer didn’t know how to respond, and Kevin quickly intervened. “Clara, don’t speak nonsense.”
Clara’s cheeks flushed red. “I’m not speaking nonsense! I like Ms. Jennifer! And Ms. Jennifer likes me too, right?”
Jennifer looked at Clara’s stubbom little face and suddenly thought of Yvonne.
Yvonne had been like this, too. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.
Jennifer said softly, “Of course, I like you. But your mommy is one of a kind, and no one can replace her.”
Clara seemed to somewhat understand. She nodded slowly before nestling back into Kevin’s arms.
On the way home, Clara fell asleep in the back seat.
Kevin drove, occasionally glancing at Jennifer through the rearview mirror. He said gently, “Thank you for keeping her company today. It’s been a long time since she’s been this happy.”
Jennifer shook her head. “I was happy too.”
Outside the window, the sunset painted the clouds in brilliant hues of gold and crimson.
Jennifer unconsciously raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. Her sleeve slipped down, revealing a scar on her wrist.
Kevin’s gaze lingered on the scar for a second before he quickly looked away.
But for the remainder of the journey, a faint frown remained on his face.
The next week, Kevin came to the bookstore alone, holding a thermal flask. He said as he handed it to Jennifer, “This is some calming tea I made myself. It might help you with your sleep.”
Jennifer paused in surprise. “How did you know I haven’t been sleeping well?”
up
Even though she’d somewhat left that part of her life behind, the past still haunted her. She didn’t know how many nights she’d woken from nightmares.
Kevin adjusted his glasses. “Did you forget I’m a doctor? You can always come to me if you need help. I think, by now, we can call each other good friends, right?”
Jennifer instinctively pulled her sleeve down, hiding the scar.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed too much,” Kevin added quickly. “It’s just that, as a doctor and as a friend, I hope you’ll take care of yourself.”
Jennifer was quiet for a moment before she finally smiled. “I will. Thank you for the tea. If I really need anything, I’ll come to you. Don’t worry.”
After that, Kevin came by even more frequently, sometimes with Clara, and sometimes alone.
Each time, he brought a small gift. It could be a bouquet of wildflowers, a box of handmade cookies, a blend of calming tea, or anything else.
Jennifer slowly grew used to his presence.
Sometimes, watching him and Clara reading together in the shop, she would feel a strange illusion. She would think that this might be the life she had always yearned for, one that was simple, peaceful, and full of warmth.
One rainy night, Jennifer was sorting books when the doorbell suddenly rang.
Kevin stood outside, completely soaked. He was holding a feverish Clara in his arms. His voice trembled slightly. “Sorry for bothering you so late. Clara kept saying she wanted to see you. She said she can only fall asleep when you tell her stories.”
Jennifer quickly ushered them in.
She took the burning–hot Clara into her arms, clearly distressed by Clara’s flushed face.
Patting Clara gently on the back, Jennifer whispered, “I’m here, Clara, don’t be scared.”
That night, Jennifer stayed by Clara’s bedside, softly telling her stories. Kevin sat nearby, watching them with quiet affection.
When Clara finally drifted off to sleep, the rain outside had stopped. Moonlight streamed in through the gap in the curtains, casting a faint glow on the floor.
“Thank you,” Kevin said softly.
Jennifer shook her head and tried to stand, but her leg had gone numb from sitting too long, so she stumbled.
Kevin quickly reached out to catch her. Only when they stood up did they realize how close the Both of them blushed, looked away, and said nothing.
were to each other.
