He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 02

He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 02

The next morning, Rowan came home. He hadn’t been back in a long time.

He saw Maya and didn’t bother with pleasantries. “You still make that good chicken pot pie, right?”

Before she could answer, he kept going. “Piper wants some. Make it now. You’ll come with me to the hospital to deliver it.”

She looked up, ready to refuse, and then her eyes landed on his wrist. The old watch. The one Caleb used to wear all the time. She changed her mind in an instant.

“Done. I’ll make it perfect.” She held his gaze. “But you have to give me that watch.”

Rowan was used to these transactions. He unclasped the watch and set it on the counter in front of her.

“Take it.”

This wasn’t the first time.

Over the years, he’d ordered her around for Piper’s sake constantly. Book the London flights. Stand in line for Piper’s favorite desserts. Pick out Piper’s gifts.

She never said no. She only asked for something small in return.

Sometimes an old fountain pen. Sometimes a watch. Sometimes a worn-out book.

The things weren’t valuable. But they all belonged to Caleb.

After Caleb died, Rowan boxed up his belongings. He kept a few items with him now and then, maybe as his own way of remembering his brother.

Maya collected them for one reason. Seeing the objects was as close as she could get to seeing him.

Rowan watched her put the watch into a box like it was treasure. “You really love me that much? You even hoard my used things?”

Maya’s hands paused.

She knew he had it wrong.

She didn’t correct him. She just smiled, soft and small.

“Yeah. I really do love you that much.”

Love your brother.

Something about the look in her eyes caught Rowan off guard. A sharp, unfamiliar sting went through him.

His mind drifted without warning to all the years of her quiet compliance. Her waiting. Her silence. He felt unsteady for a moment.

Then he pulled himself back together. Cold mask. Same as always.

“Hurry up. Piper’s waiting.”

She made the soup. They went to the hospital together.

In the car, Rowan suddenly remembered the call from the day before. “What were you going to tell me yesterday? When you called?”

Maya hugged the thermal container and looked out the window. Her voice was flat.

“Nothing important. I already decided on my own.”

Rowan grunted.

“Piper’s in the hospital with a cold. I’m taking care of her. Don’t waste my time with your drama.”

Maya nodded, obedient and agreeable. Not a trace of displeasure on her face.

Rowan looked at her. A strange irritation churned in his chest.

Did she really love him this much?

Enough to stand there and watch him devote himself to another woman?

They arrived at the hospital and walked into Piper’s room together.

Piper looked surprised to see Maya. “I only mentioned I wanted some soup. Rowan actually got you to come all the way here?”

Maya set the container down and ladled soup into a bowl. “You said it offhand. He always takes you seriously.”

Rowan was startled to hear her speak on his behalf.

It didn’t make him happy. It made his chest feel tighter.

He stood up, took the bowl from Maya’s hands, and dismissed her.

“You can go now. I’ve got this.”

Maya said nothing. She picked up her bag and left.

As she pulled the door shut behind her, she saw Rowan lift the spoon to Piper’s lips. Gentle. Attentive.

“Careful. It’s hot.”

“Look. Your favorite red velvet cake. I went out of my way to get it.”

Piper’s laugh was bright with surprise. “Oh my god. You remembered I love this bakery’s red velvet.”

Maya closed the door.

She walked away without looking back.