After they reached the clinic, Alexander checked Evelyn’s face again. He went into the pharmacy to grab some supplies.
Evelyn twisted her ankle once more to see if the bone was hurt.
Alexander came out of the pharmacy quickly. “Evelyn has a burn on her face,” he said. “I’ll put some burn cream on her. If the swelling goes down by tomorrow, she’ll be fine. If it doesn’t, we need to go to the hospital immediately.”
Evelyn nodded but stayed silent.
Alexander meant to apply the cream himself. Instead, he handed it to Evelyn. “Put this on her,” he said. “I’ll get some ice.”
Evelyn took the burn cream. She didn’t apply it right away. She went to wash her hands first.
When she came back, she sat down beside Evelyn and started to help her with the cream.
“Alexander,” Evelyn asked, her voice shaky. “Will I be scarred?”
She hadn’t thought it was a big deal before. Now, fear crept in.
“No,” Alexander answered calmly.
Hearing that, Evelyn relaxed.
From start to finish, Alexander never asked what happened.
Just then, the island owner arrived. Several island representatives came too. Iris Hart was with them.
Alexander kept helping Evelyn with the ointment. Evelyn looked like a mess, but she didn’t know it.
Alexander told her not to talk or make any expression.
Evelyn had no choice. She answered in a dull voice and kept her original posture.
Everyone asked how serious it was. If it was serious, they said, she should go to the hospital right away.
Alexander spoke up. “It’s nothing serious,” he said. “She’ll be fine by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
Iris Hart looked at Evelyn’s face, her eyes full of concern. She couldn’t help complaining. “Why are you so careless!”
Evelyn wanted to say something. Alexander reminded her gently. “Don’t talk.”
Evelyn shut her mouth.
Alexander explained to Iris Hart that Evelyn had already applied the medicine. It was inconvenient for her to talk.
Iris Hart nodded repeatedly. She couldn’t speak either.
Eli Hudson came back with the ice. He gave a cold compress to Evelyn’s injured ankle.
They were up very late. Alexander finally told everyone to send Iris Hart back first.
Iris Hart said she would go back by herself. But she was still worried about Evelyn’s injury.
Alexander calmed her down. “Go back first,” he said. “I’ll take Evelyn home.”
Iris Hart finally nodded and left.
Alexander waited until everything was done. Then he carried Evelyn back to Iris Hart’s house.
Eli Hudson followed them with a flashlight.
No one spoke along the way. The happy bonfire party had turned sour because of the accident.
Alexander put hot water on Evelyn’s face. Because of the burns, she couldn’t wipe her face. She could only wipe her hands and wash her feet.
Evelyn wanted to do it herself. Alexander said he would do it.
“My hands are fine,” Evelyn muttered, embarrassed.
“I’m your husband,” Alexander answered.
He rubbed the towel. He helped Evelyn wipe her body. He wiped her hands too.
Evelyn kept lowering her head in shame. Alexander reminded her. “Look up.”
Evelyn had to lift her head again.
After wiping her body, Alexander put Evelyn’s uninjured foot into the bucket. He washed it.
Evelyn was even more embarrassed.
Alexander’s face showed nothing. He helped Evelyn wash her feet. He dried them. Then he carried her to the bed.
There was no hesitation or awkwardness. It felt natural.
“I’m sorry,” Evelyn said, sitting on the bed. “It’s all my fault.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Alexander replied faintly. Then he reminded her again. “Don’t talk.”
Evelyn pursed her lips. Alexander spoke again. “Don’t purse your lips. Don’t talk. Just relax. Sit for a while. I’m going to take a bath. If you’re sleepy, go to bed first. I’ll be up in a minute. Just listen. Don’t respond.”
Evelyn wanted to laugh. But she was afraid Alexander would be angry. So she held it in.
Alexander took the bucket and went downstairs.
Evelyn sat on the bed. How could she sleep now?
She had ruined the happy bonfire party.
When Alexander went downstairs, Iris Hart was standing there. She looked around. Seeing Alexander, she asked, “How is Evelyn?”
“Nothing serious, Iris Hart,” Alexander replied.
“How can it be nothing serious?” Iris Hart said. “Her face is hurt. A girl’s face is the most important thing.”
“She won’t be scarred,” Alexander answered calmly. “Even if she is, she’s Mrs. Sterling. That won’t change.”
Iris Hart looked at Alexander. She hesitated. Then she asked, “Do you know everything?”
“Iris Hart, I saw it,” Alexander said, meeting her gaze.
“Oh, she’s just a child,” Iris Hart sighed. “She doesn’t understand right now.”
“Iris Hart, I’ll handle this,” Alexander said. “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“I’m worried about Evelyn,” Iris Hart replied. “That’s all.”
“I’ll go to bed with her,” Alexander said. “If you have something to say to her…”
“I know,” Iris Hart interrupted. “Evelyn can’t talk right now. I’ll just stay with her. Don’t worry about me.”
“No,” Alexander said. “I’m worried about you. It’s late. You haven’t rested. You can’t handle it.”
“I’m fine,” Iris Hart insisted. “Yingzi and her father are in the living room. Please go. I’ll go upstairs to see Evelyn.”
Iris Hart said this and went upstairs.
Evelyn sat at the head of the bed. She was still thinking about whether to call home. At least she could call her sister.
She needed someone to talk to right now.
But she was worried. If she made the call, her family would worry when she came back.
While she was conflicted, there was a knock on the door.
Evelyn wanted to respond. Then she remembered Alexander’s words. She couldn’t speak.
She didn’t know if Alexander was testing her. So she stayed silent and stared at the door.
After a while, Iris Hart pushed the door open and came in.
“Iris Hart,” Evelyn exclaimed in dismay.
“Alexander is busy,” Iris Hart said. “I came up first to talk to you. If you can’t talk now, just listen to me.”
Iris Hart came over and sat down on a chair.
Evelyn nodded obediently.
“About today’s affairs,” Iris Hart said. “Alas, forget it. Alexander will solve them. He always does. I don’t want to worry about it. I’ll talk to you about Alexander’s past instead.”
Evelyn nodded again. She wanted to know more about Alexander. As for the evening, she didn’t want to mention it. She was too depressed.
Iris Hart told Evelyn about Alexander’s childhood.
She said she brought Alexander to the island. At that time, Alexander had just learned to speak. His expression wasn’t smooth yet. The children on the island saw he was a foreigner. They liked to bully him. Alexander was stubborn. He didn’t cry when he was bullied. But later, everyone liked to play with him. He always found a way to have fun in ordinary things. Later, he became the king of children on the island.
She also said that when Alexander first came to the island, he was still in poor health. She went up the mountain before dawn every morning to pick up dew. It was said this was the best. Then she didn’t dare to give Alexander seafood. She was afraid he couldn’t stand cold food. At first, Alexander was greedy. Later, the child didn’t seem interested in seafood. She was very happy. Later, she found out Alexander was eating seafood. He fished by the sea. He caught crabs and baked them himself.
She also said that although Alexander didn’t like to talk, his heart was transparent. He could see everything more clearly than others. So he didn’t speak. But he knew everything in his heart.