Chapter 4

The guilt in Jonah's eyes vanished in an instant, and he pressed his hand over Melissa's.

"I said I'd give it to you, so it's yours. Keep it and don't worry. Think of it as a gift from your sister and me."

With that, he took her hand and walked deeper into the old back streets.

I drew a deep breath and forced back the tears in my eyes.

"Ten thousand dollars of that is my money. Transfer it back to me. I don't owe her anything."

He paused, but he didn't turn around.

I turned to leave when a gust of wind suddenly rushed past me.

Shouts came from behind.

"Somebody, catch the thief!"

The next second, the man beside me pulled a small knife from his pocket and yanked me in front of him as a shield.

"Get lost! Nobody come closer! Come any closer and I'll cut her throat. I just wanted to trade a rock for a little money to see a doctor! Don't push me, don't push me!"

My legs went weak instantly.

Jonah rushed forward, his eyes full of worry as he looked at me.

"Let's talk this out. Let her go!"

The vendor saw this and gritted his teeth.

"Let her go! I don't want the merchandise anymore!"

The man behind me panted heavily, the cold dagger trembling against my neck.

He dragged me slowly backward until we reached an open space, then let go and ran.

I was still shaking, just about to run over to them, when Melissa shouted.

"Don't let him get away!"

The shout enraged the man. His eyes went bloodshot and he hurled the knife at us.

"You bitch, die!"

The knife came flying straight at our faces.

Jonah shouted urgently.

"Look out!"

He spun around and threw Melissa, who was farther from him, to the ground.

By the time I reacted, my body was a step too slow, and the knife flew over and cut into my upper arm.

When I fell to the ground, Jonah was shielding her with his body.

Meeting my stunned gaze, his eyes were red, his face a mess of confusion.

It must have been the pain; the tears fell without my willing them to.

The man who used to pull me behind him even at the pop of a balloon was truly gone.

I woke again in the hospital.

Jonah looked at me anxiously.

"Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

I shifted, and a sharp pain shot through my arm.

Melissa gripped my hand.

"Sis, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault for shouting like that. I just thought it isn't easy for a vendor to make a living. I didn't know he'd..."

Jonah patted her shoulder.

"It's not your fault, you're just kind-hearted. If anyone's to blame, it's me for misjudging things. Thank goodness it's nothing serious, just a cut artery and too much blood lost."

What a fine "too much blood lost."

As soon as he finished, his phone rang.

It was his mother.

"What happened? I heard you were held hostage. Are you all right?"

"We're fine, Irene. Ivy got her arm cut. Melissa's fine."

The other end let out a breath of relief.

"As long as you're all right."

I gave a bitter smile. She never cared about me. I knew that.

She went on.

"Come back right away, it's far too dangerous. That place she picked almost got someone killed."

Jonah shot me a guilty look, agreed hastily, and hung up.

The two of them sat at the edge of the bed, looking at flight tickets.

For some reason, Melissa's eyes were red.

"There's only one flight home left today, and only two seats."

"Sis is hurt so badly, you two should go back first."

Jonah refused at once.

"No! You get scared so easily, how could you stay here alone?"

He glanced at my arm.

"It's not convenient for you right now anyway, you can't fly. The hospital is safer, nothing will happen. I'll take care of your paperwork. Stay a few days, and once the doctor says you're doing better, I'll come get you."

He knew Melissa would be afraid, and forgot that I'd be afraid too.

He'd told me, clearly, that he would never leave me his whole life.

I gazed at the lone bird outside the window and pushed down the bitterness in my heart.

"Whatever you two want."

Jonah gently stroked my hand.

"I'll use these few days to get things ready for the marriage license. Once you're back, we can register."

I said nothing, just watched the two of them walk away, then called my advisor.

Three days later, the doctor said I could be discharged.

After going back and forth about it, I sent Jonah a message, planning to say goodbye in person.

He swore up and down that he'd be there and even sent me a plane ticket.

But I waited at the airport until every flight had let off its passengers, and he still didn't show.

Only then did a message come through on my phone.

I'm sorry, Melissa isn't feeling well and I really can't get away. Which flight are you on? I'll pick you up at the airport when you get back.

I let out a scoffing laugh. I wasn't all that surprised.

All these years he'd said he would come get me, and only a handful of times had he ever managed it.

Almost every time, Melissa would have some situation or other come up.

After a while, my professor's familiar voice came from behind me.

"Ivy, did the person you were waiting for finally come?"

I shook my head, blocked Jonah, and got a new phone number.

"Not waiting anymore. Let's go."

This time, I'm not going back.