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Claire wiped her eyes,choking."Why shoul I say, to watch you marry Sarah?"
"Watch the man I love wed another?"
Nathan stared at her,he said through gritted teeth."You're my sister.I can care for you forever."
"You promised to stay with me forever.How can you go back on your words?"
"Sarah won't mind you living with us!"
Claire smiled bitterly."Sister?Would I settle for that?"
"You know I love you,not as a sister."
She looked at me,tears falling."Sarah,take care of Nathan,please."
"His stomach's weak—early days,we often starved.Look after him."
"His leg has a knife wound;it bothers in cold winters.I won't be here—take good care of him."
"He has insomnia,he’d furrow his brows when having a nightmare.If you see it,smooth his face like I did..."
Before she finished,Nathan pulled her away.
They moved so fast,as if I didn't exist.
At the lake,Nathan gripped Claire's hands,stopping her struggle,and kissed her deeply.
Claire flashed me a cold smile,then kissed back fiercely.
They embraced as if they were the only persons ledt in the world.
I stood there,lost,in the early winter chill.
Nathan couldn't be with Claire.
He had to marry me.
We needed the wedding for my plan.
Time for my next move.
I shouted,"Nathan!"
He snapped back,releasing Claire,stunned.
Tears in my eyes,I pulled Claire from him."Get lost!You're leaving,right?Go!I don't want to see you!"
Claire tried to break free,but I held her tight.
In the struggle,I fell into the lake.
Claire screamed,"I didn't push her!I didn't mean to!"
As I fell,my wig came off.
Nathan saw I was bald.
He shouted,"Sarah!"
His voice was frantic.
Ignoring Claire,he jumped into the icy water after me.
Silence followed.
Dr.Wells,trembling,said,"Sorry,Mr.Cole,Sarah wanted her condition hidden from you."
I'd told Dr.Wells to conceal my"terminal illness."
Lips pale,I tugged weakly at Nathan’s sleeve."Don't blame Dr.Wells.I didn't want you to worry."
I smiled bitterly."But seems my worry was pointless.You want Claire,not me.I'm the one who should leave."
Nathan panicked,holding my cold hand."No,Sarah.Claire's just my family,we grew up together since childhood."
"Buy you,you're my love."
Claire,pale,whispered,"Nathan..."
