A small, almost ironic smile formed on her lips, bloodied from being bitten. “You do not need to worry about me, Doctor. You’ve done enough for me, I— I cannot repay you for everything.”
Marcus would have jumped to his feet had his injuries not prevented him. He noticed with a twist of his heart that Angeline was only addressing Winifred, not him. Dread worked it’s way into his thoughts. “Angeline, talk to us.”
((Should Winnie pull her to the side?))
"You don't need to repay me, Angeline." Winifred shook her head. "We just want to help in any way we can." She was starting to fear. What? She didn't know. But the look Angeline was gaining was not quelling her worries, but intensifying them.
(Sure)
“Honestly, Doctor, I’m fine,” she persisted, her face taking on a mask of relaxed assurance. “Believe me. I am fine.”
Winifred sighed but didn't let up. "May you…assist me in emptying these bowls?" She gestured to the bowls of water that they used. She took one up and continued, not waiting for her answer.
Angeline nodded wordlessly, carefully picking up the last one and trailing after Winifred without another glance at Marcus. Her hands were tight around its ceramic surface.
Winifred went into the bathroom and set her bowl down in the tub. She then took Angeline's and did the same. "We need to talk."
She stiffened immediately, fear shining in her eyes. “Have I— have I done something wrong?” Was she going to be punished? Was she going to be hurt by the person who had sewn her back together?
Winifred shook her head. "No, you're not in trouble." Winifred set a hand gently on her shoulder. "It's just…. you're not being honest with us. There is something bothering you and you wont tell us what… I'm worried. Marcus is worried."
Angeline forced herself to relax under the touch, telling herself that this was Winnifred, that she was okay. “I’m fine,” she lied again.
"And you lie once more. " Winifred sighed and asked the question that had been eating at her for days. Ever since she'd kissed Marcus in front of her, when Luc had first hurt him.
"Is this about Marcus and I?"
There was no change to be seen in Angeline’s stance, at least not physically. On the inside, she was an absolute wreck. “Of course not,” she reasoned. “I’m happy for you two— honestly, I am.” And this much was true. But there was more to it. “I haven’t.. I haven’t ever seen Marcus this happy. Ever. I’m incredibly grateful.”
"Then what is hurting you?" Winifred persisted. "I have never seen you like this. You will barely look at him and you haven't spoken much all day."
Bit by bit, she was caving in. But she was strong, and they both knew that. “I don’t know. I— I don’t know.”
"You do know. Angeline." She cupped the girl's chin. "We only want to help." She repeated.
Angeline clenched her fists. “I know you do.” But she couldn’t just… this was the woman Marcus loved. She couldn’t go to her about her stupid heartbreak. She was too happy for them to do that.
Winifred searched her eyes, looking for something, anything to let them know what was eating away at the woman. "Then … why won't you let us?"
The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. "Because it's my burden to bear. I don't like taking risks, and this is a big one. And not just for me." She straightened her back, pushing flaxen hair away from her face.
Winifred was as confused as ever as she looked to Angeline. She shook her head faintly. "What….?"
"It's nothing." She moved to slip past Winifred. "Thank you for trying. And thank you for helping me before. It means a lot."
Winifred let her pass. There was no getting through to this woman. She had brick wall upon brick wall built up around her sorrow and she was letting no one into it. But perhaps…. "Angeline." She called to her once more before she left. "I know you care for him a great deal. I've seen the way you look at him, how you treat him. And if I got in the way of that I'm sorry…"
Angeline froze with her hand on the doorframe. Several emotions passed in front of her expression– she was incredibly lucky that Winifred could not see her face. I'm sorry…
"Don't be sorry." It was said like a plea. "Please don't be sorry. You're making him happy. That's more than I– than anyone else could ever do." And she was gone.
Winifred waited a few moments before exiting herself. She felt numb with grief as she stepped back into the room. She kept her gaze to the floor. Angeline had be such a wonderful friend to have, but Winifred wondered if all of that would change now.
She loved him…. That much she knew. She'd loved him before Winifred had came and she'd been set aside.
Because of me…
Horrible guilt weighed Angeline down as she returned to Marcus's side. Winifred's footsteps approached behind her and she couldn't stand the urge to turn and face her once more. She grabbed hold of the other woman's sleeve and whispered in her ear. "I'm not mad– oh god, I would never be upset with you. You're happy with him. I'm glad. For the both of you. So don't be sad on my account, don't be guilty. Okay?"
Winifred looked up to the girl and with great difficulty, she nodded. "Okay…." She gave Angeline a small smile of reassurance. For the both of them.
"Promise?" She needed to be sure. She couldn't have this woman, this amazing, lionhearted woman, guilty about loving Marcus. That wasn't right. They were meant to be together, even Angeline could see that, and she loved one of them for God's sake.
Marcus stared at the two of them, turbulence evident on his face. He wanted to help Angeline more than anything– but he had a feeling trying to help would only make it worse, at least coming from him.