Only Smoke Remains - Chapter 1

When Zachary Reidser walked in, I didn’t go up to take off his coat or change his shoes like I usually did. He threw his slippers on the floor heavily and walked over impatiently.

“What do you want now?”

I silently closed my chat window with the doctor and calmly said, “It’s just a bit of stomach discomfort. It’s nothing now.”

His stern face furrowed into a frown. “You kept calling me over something this trivial? Was that really necessary? Do you know, because of you, I was a minute late lighting the birthday fireworks for Luna Whitmore? She cried because she was so upset!”

I subconsciously held my lower abdomen. In that one minute—delayed because he ignored my calls—I had been enduring the pain of massive bleeding.

Nevertheless, I didn’t hysterically argue or question him. I just spoke softly, “Sorry for interfering with your important matters.”

Then, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and his tone softened slightly. “As long as you’re not picking a fight.”

He pulled a half-burnt sparkler from his pocket and tossed it to me like a favor. “Luna is always thoughtful and generous. She figured you might want to see fireworks too, so she saved you this sparkler.”

I peered closely. It was already half-burned and had a clear footprint on it, obviously picked out of some leftovers.

I sneered and tossed it in the trash.

Zachary grabbed my wrist, displeased, and raised his voice to demand, “Autumn Reidser, what the hell is wrong with you? You ruined her perfect birthday, but Luna didn’t even hold a grudge and still saved you a sparkler. Instead of being grateful, you act all entitled? Who do you think you are?”

He used a lot of force. The wound on my wrist, which was still not fully healed, tore open and began to bleed again.

A week ago, when someone from a bankrupt rival company came after him, I had blocked the knife with my hand, so the wound still hadn’t healed.

Seeing the ashen look on my face, he finally realized and released his grip, appearing a bit flustered.

“Sorry, I forgot. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Before I could even refuse, the special ringtone for Luna rang.

“Luna’s calling! I must answer right away!” His eyes softened instantly as he let go of my hand and answered the call almost immediately.

On the other end came Luna’s tearful voice pleading, “Zach, I’m scared. Someone’s knocking at my door. Lately, there’s been a pervert in the neighborhood targeting women who live alone. Can you come over?”

“Don’t be scared, Luna. I’m coming right now.”

He grabbed his coat and was about to leave.

“Wait!” I stopped him.

He turned around, annoyed. “Luna’s in danger, I have to go. It’s just a slight injury—no need for the hospital! Just bandage it by yourself at home!”

When he finished yelling, I silently handed him the car keys. “You left in a rush. Forgot your keys.”

He stared at me, stunned, as if caught off guard. After a long moment, he finally reached out and took them. At the door, he softened his voice again, “I’ll just go check on her for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

I thought it would be like always—he’d disappear all night. So after treating my wound, I just went to sleep.

To my surprise, I was awakened not long after.

“Autumn, why didn’t you wait up for me?” He looked at me, confused. In the past, no matter how late it was, I’d always wait for him before going to bed, sometimes sitting up until dawn.

I replied casually, “I was tired, so I went to sleep first.”

He stared at me, then pulled a bottle from his pocket and placed it in my hand. “Didn’t your wound open up earlier? I brought you some medicine.”

I looked closely. It was a bottle of iodine, something I was allergic to.