Lucinda wrestled with conflicting emotions, her silence stretching on.


    “Lucinda, Violeta is downstairs.


    Could you lend me a hand with applying some medicine?” Graham asked, his voice gentle.


    Lucinda snapped back to the present, rising to her feet and siting behind Graham.


    With a determined focus, she opened the medical kit resting on the bed.


    A serene smile touched Graham’s lips as he instructed Lucinda on the order to apply the medication.


    “Begin by cleansing the wound with alcohol, then apply this anti-inmmatory ointment, and finally, secure it with a bandage.


    ”


    Lucinda hummed in response, following his directions meticulously as she tended to his injury.


    asionally, Graham stole nces at her.


    Observing her earnest concentration, a sense of contentment washed over him.


    For over a year, Graham hadn’t experienced such tender care from Lucinda.


    As Lucinda applied the medicine, her movements were tender and cautious as if instinctively avoiding causing Graham further difort, which moved him deeply.


    Tears glistened in Graham’s eyes, emotions overwhelming him.


    With a steadying breath, heposed himself.


    Sensing his shift in demeanor, Lucinda paused.


    “Have I caused you pain?” she inquired softly.


    Bitterness and shame welled up in Graham’s heart.


    Lucinda’s inquiry came in a gentle, soothing tone.


    He realized he had beenpletely wrong for breaking her heart for the sake of Valerie and her mother.


    Graham was too overwhelmed with sadness to find words.


    His eyes filled with uncontroble tears, their redness betraying the depth of his guilt.


    “What’s the matter?” Lucinda asked.


    She waited for a response from Graham but never received one.


    Rising from her seat, she positioned herself in front of Graham, her fingertips tenderly lifting his chin.


    However, her gesture revealed tears glistening in his eyes.


    Seeing this, Lucinda was struck by a profound sense of astonishment.


    “You… You’re…” she stammered.


    In her perception, Graham had always embodied the ideal brother: strong, reserved,posed, and not prone to overt disys of emotion.


    She had never witnessed Graham shed tears for anything before.


    Surprisingly, even a man of such strength could be brought to tears by his wrongdoing.


    In a sudden surge of emotion, Graham withdrew from her touch, averting his gaze in embarrassment and shame, his vulnerability exposed.


    “I… I wasn’t crying.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    I wasn’t in pain.


    I just… It’s the smell of the alcohol.


    It just… made me tear up.


    ”