Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 52: He Has Too Many Thoughts About You
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Thea Lynch looked utterly bewildered.
"So you didn’t know," Sean Bell’s expression mirrored hers, with a hint of deliberate provocation.
"When that name first came up, Aunt instantly guessed it represented you."
"Aunt disagreed at the time and even struck third brother because of this matter. You... didn’t know about this either?" The aunt he mentioned was Ian Preston’s mother.
Thea Lynch: "..."
Should she have known?
"It’s just a coincidence, why must two letters necessarily connect to me?" Whether it was Sean Bell or Aunt Rong, why did they like to obsess over her?
"Whether it’s a coincidence, only third brother knows for sure. Want me to call and ask him?"
Before he finished speaking, Thea Lynch grabbed her bag and stood up to leave.
"Haven’t seen you in so long; jokes aren’t allowed anymore, huh?" Sean Bell swiftly pressed her back into her seat.
Thea Lynch glared at him coldly, clearly displeased.
"Alright, I’ll shut up." At this moment, he was finally mindful.
After the food was served, the two barely spoke again.
The restaurant was not far from Stratus, just across the street, and Thea Lynch intended to walk back. Sean Bell left his car nearby, insisting on accompanying her for part of the way.
In front of Stratus, Sean Bell stopped and handed her the boxed dessert, "I’m heading off, call me if you need anything."
"What could I possibly need from you?" Lynch was still angry and countered with another jab.
Sean Bell seemed to naively take it as a query, thus seriously contemplated, "Like, third brother’s news?"
"Things you want to know but don’t know who to ask, you can ask me."
"..."
Finally, Thea Lynch shot him a white-eyed look and left without saying goodbye.
——
On Saturday, Thea Lynch got up early, and when Ian Preston arrived, she was nestled in a lounge chair, reading materials.
Once in the car, Thea Lynch obviously still didn’t want to speak with him, engrossed deeply in the materials in hand.
Ian Preston’s gaze consistently rested on her, "Being serious even on a Saturday?"
Today, Ian Preston wasn’t driving; he brought a driver and assistant. The partition was raised, ensuring excellent privacy in the back seat.
"I already mentioned working overtime today; if not for the physical exam, I’d be in the office by now."
As if proving she’s genuinely busy, she moved her hands, calmly turning a page.
"You’re even busier than me now."
"..." His tone casual, words offhand. But to Thea Lynch, it meant more.
Indeed, comparatively, Ian Preston should be the busier one. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
In a blink, he deals with billions; naturally, she seems insignificant, like an amateur before a seasoned expert.
Yet with the play already rolling, there’s no calling it off on the spot. Thea Lynch pretended not to hear, turning sideways to focus on her materials.
Upon entering the hospital lobby, the scent of disinfectant invaded her nostrils; merely standing there, Thea Lynch felt an eerie cold. Her fear of hospitals was beyond verbal expression.
This place held too many bad memories for her.
All memories she’d rather not revisit.
In front, Ian Preston took two or three steps before realizing she hadn’t followed. He signaled his assistant to go ahead, then walked back to Thea Lynch’s side.
A shadow cast over her, causing Thea Lynch to momentarily freeze, looking up at him.
Staring at her for a few seconds, even without words from her, Ian Preston knew what she was thinking.
If not worried about her health, he too wouldn’t want to bring her here.
Thea Lynch didn’t want to appear weak in his presence, fearing that he might notice her discomfort.
She lowered her head to fasten her coat, her long hair veiling her face, "Let’s go."
Just as she took the first step, her left wrist was suddenly gripped.
She turned back in confusion, thinking he had another plan. His warm palm slightly opened, fingers covering the back of her hand, firmly holding it.
He said nothing, but held her hand, as if transmitting strength to her. Miraculously, this one gesture calmed her wavering, restless heart, gradually settling her.
——
Just thinking about the blood draw gave Thea Lynch a headache. The second she was pressed onto the chair, numerous fragmented images flashed in her mind.
Seeing the nurse’s actions, she hastily turned her head. The needle pierced her skin, not as painful as imagined, yet she still flinched, body tense, hands and feet rigid.
"Don’t be nervous," the nurse noticed her abnormality, "Are you hemophobic?"
Thea Lynch shook her head, "No."
"Then it’s alright. Don’t be afraid; it’ll be over soon."
Thea Lynch acknowledged, yet her physical response was genuine, not eased by the nurse’s words.
To prove she wasn’t hemophobic, she even looked for a moment.
The crimson liquid slowly dripped into the blood collection tube, her breath slightly halted, her fingers trembled, her body uncontrollably shaking. Her gaze darted randomly without focus.
"Relax." Her shoulder felt weighed down.
Thea Lynch’s back stiffened lightly.
Ian Preston’s single hand pressed on her nape, kneading repeatedly, "Relax."
Feeling her shoulders relax, his hand slid down, inadvertently tracing her protruding scapula, finally stopping at her spine. One gentle movement after another, within an acceptable force.
Noticing Thea Lynch calming, the nurse glanced at them, smiling, "Your relationship is great; are you here for a marriage check-up?"
Little did the nurse know, her careless remark made Thea Lynch tense again, squeezing out distortedly four words, "He’s my brother."
"..."
"Oh, sorry, my apologies, there are more couples this week for marriage check-ups, seeing you two matching I assumed."
Thea Lynch forced a smile, "You’re quite the joker."
As for Ian Preston, throughout he made no response. Yet Thea Lynch knew he heard it.
When the nurse finished speaking, his hand paused briefly. After hearing her reply, as if nothing happened, he resumed his actions.
Only as he pressed down again, the first time whether intentional or not, his fingers exerted more force than before. It hurt her, causing her brow to furrow.
Through all the checks, Ian Preston stayed by Thea Lynch’s side.
While waiting for reports, Thea Lynch sat on the sofa daydreaming, Ian Preston seated opposite. As she nearly dozed off, Ian Preston’s assistant returned, handing her a cup of hot milk.
Thea Lynch hadn’t had breakfast, nor did she drink water since morning.
After she finished drinking, Ian Preston asked her leisurely, "Did Sean Bell meet you yesterday?"
"Yes, had a meal together."
"Keep your distance from him."
"Why?" Thea Lynch didn’t expect him to say that, especially since it’s his own brother.
Pressing his brow, Ian Preston’s voice was low, "He’s too interested in you."
