A week had passed since Eric and Tim had last spoken. They had successfully uncovered Emily’s work schedule, and today was the day. Eric sat in the waiting room of the oncology clinic, his heart pounding in his chest, though he masked it with a calm exterior for his sister’s sake. Lily sat beside him, nervously fidgeting with the edge of her sweater, her face pale and worried.

"Brother, are you sure this doctor can help me?" Lily asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Eric turned to her, giving her a reassuring smile and squeezing her shoulder. “Yes, Lily, they’re the best. They’ve won awards for their work. Don’t be nervous.”

“I can’t help it,” she whispered. “I’m scared it’s going to spread, and I won’t make it.”

Eric’s heart clenched, and he pulled her closer into a protective hug. “Don’t talk like that. You’re going to beat this. We’re going to do everything we can, and you’re going to get through this. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Lily nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips as she leaned into him. “Okay, brother. I believe you.”

Just then, the door to the examination area opened, and a familiar voice called out, “Mr. Reynolds, it’s time to come back, please.”

Eric’s head snapped to the side, and his eyes locked on Emily. She was standing there, clipboard in hand, her expression professional—until their eyes met. Emily froze for a moment, the color draining from her face. Her heart raced as recognition flooded her mind.

It’s him! she thought, panic rising in her chest. What do I do? Just pretend you don’t know him.

Eric, too, was momentarily stunned, his breath catching as he took in the sight of her. I finally found her, he thought, his heart swelling. She’s just as beautiful as I remember.

Emily quickly regained her composure and led Mr. Reynolds back to the doctor’s office, but her hands trembled slightly as she settled the patient in the room and told him a nurse would take his vitals. She hurried to the staff bathroom, her mind racing. Pulling out her phone, she dialed Rachel’s number.

“Hello?” Rachel answered casually.

“Rach, he’s here!” Emily whispered, panic lacing her voice.

Rachel’s tone immediately shifted. “Who? Eric?”

“Yes! He’s here with some young woman in the waiting room,” Emily replied, pacing in the small bathroom.

“What?! Did he see you?”

“Yes, we saw each other. I don’t know what to do!” Emily’s voice trembled with anxiety.

Rachel tried to calm her. “Just stay hidden until they leave. Don’t confront him.”

“Okay, I’ll try,” Emily whispered, taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Rach.”

Emily hung up and quickly returned to her duties, trying to avoid any further encounters. She treated Mr. Reynolds and headed to the break room to catch her breath. But as she walked down the hallway, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into a nearby storage closet.

Emily gasped, about to scream, but a hand covered her mouth.

“Shhh,” Eric’s voice whispered in her ear as he gently turned her to face him. “If I let go, do you promise not to scream?”

Her eyes were wide with fear, but she nodded. Slowly, Eric removed his hand, though he kept his grip on her arm.

“Let me go!” Emily hissed, anger flashing in her eyes. “You rapist!”

Eric winced at the accusation but didn’t loosen his hold. “Emily, I’m not a rapist. Please, let me explain what happened that night.”

Emily glared at him, her heart racing with anger and confusion. “You have five minutes. After that, I’ll scream.”

Eric took a deep breath. “That night, after you went to the bathroom, I noticed something was wrong. You didn’t look right.”

Emily’s anger wavered slightly. “I didn’t feel right... I was hot and dizzy.”

Eric nodded. “Exactly. And then I saw you leaving the bathroom, but you weren’t walking on your own. Luke was carrying you.”

Emily’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Luke was carrying me?”

“Yes,” Eric continued. “I followed you both to the hotel rooms at the back of the club. I knew something was wrong, so I pretended to be room service. When he opened the door, I knocked him out and tied him up.”

Emily stood frozen, the weight of his words sinking in. “Luke... drugged me?”

Eric nodded solemnly. “Yes. He was the one who drugged you, not me. I tried to protect you.”

Emily’s mind raced as fragmented memories started coming back. She had been wrong about Eric all this time. Her stomach twisted with guilt and confusion.

“But...” Emily stammered, “if you didn’t drug me, why did you...?”

Eric’s expression softened, his voice steady but filled with remorse. “When I came back into the room, you were half undressed, and you were rubbing yourself against the bed. You were crying out for help.”

Emily’s breath hitched. “I... I vaguely remember that.”

“I didn’t know what to do, Emily,” Eric said softly. “You were in so much distress. I... I made a decision. I thought it was the only way to relieve your pain. I asked for your forgiveness before I touched you.”

Emily’s face flushed with disbelief, her emotions in turmoil. “You thought that was the only way to help me?”

“I did,” Eric said, his voice quiet but firm. “And afterward, I hoped you’d forgive me. I didn’t want it to end like that.”

Emily stared at him, her heart torn between anger and the realization that Eric hadn’t hurt her the way she had imagined. “You... you wanted to be responsible for me?”

“Yes,” Eric confessed, his voice raw with emotion. “I didn’t want it to be a one-night thing. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I really like you, Emily.”

Emily blushed, overwhelmed by the intensity of his words. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I misunderstood everything and ran off without saying anything.”

Eric shook his head. “It’s okay. I understand why you did. But can you forgive me? And maybe... give me a chance? I want to be with you.”

Emily looked down, her emotions swirling. “I forgive you. But it’s going to take time. I need to think before I can commit to anything.”

Eric’s face softened with hope. “I understand. Just... please consider it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

Emily smiled faintly, feeling the weight of their past lift slightly. “Let’s take it slow. We can exchange numbers and get to know each other better.”

Eric’s heart soared as they exchanged phone numbers, the beginning of something new finally within reach. But just as they finished, Emily remembered.

“Wait... you were here earlier with a girl,” Emily said, her voice tinged with curiosity.