I Pray That You Forget Me - Chapter 114
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
read more chapters on luna kofi
A long sigh sounded behind me, followed by footsteps that faded away and then returned.
Moments later, a single biscuit unexpectedly appeared through the gap at the bottom of the door. I accepted it and popped it into my mouth, but one biscuit wasn’t enough to satisfy my hunger.
Just as I was about to ask for another, Johann seemed to read my mind and slipped another biscuit under the door. I quickly grabbed it and took a bite, only to hear a voice behind me lamenting.
“What are you doing…?”
And yet, he continued to provide more. This time, he slid two biscuits under the door, generously spread with apple jam. I accepted those too but refused the fourth one.
“I’m done eating now.”
It wasn’t that I was full; the dry biscuits had stuck in my throat, making it hard to swallow. Plus, the sweet jam had made my mouth feel dry.
‘I’m thirsty…’
I glanced at the teapot sitting on the side table next to the bed, conflicted.
‘If I get up, Johann will come in and open the door…’
But there was no need for conflict. I decided to hold off on my thirst and sat quietly by the door. Just then, as the clock tower chimed outside, Johann finally relented.
“I’ll be in the living room, so call for me if you need anything.”
I could hear his footsteps retreating. Then came the sound of clattering, as if he was tidying up the kitchen. At that moment, I decided to trust his words and got to my feet. However, I wasn’t fully convinced, so I tiptoed to the side table.
‘I’ll just grab some tea and head back. This time, I’ll take the blankets too.’
I reached the side table without making a sound.
“Johann!”
But I wasn’t the only one who could move stealthily. Just as I was about to lift the teapot, the door swung open behind me, and there stood Johann.
“Don’t come in!”
Yet Johann ignored my words and stepped inside confidently. It was in that moment, as I felt the joy of victory radiating from his ever-gentle smile, that I realized the initial act of retreating with the biscuits was part of a well-laid trap from the start. The jam was also a kind gesture meant to ensure I would get thirsty and have to leave my spot.
In the past, whenever Johann would use his clever tricks like this, I would feel my heart race in surprise. I still felt that flutter now, but the reason had shifted slightly.
Johann seemed different. The honest, single-minded man I once knew felt like a mask; perhaps he had another side to him that I was beginning to doubt.
“I won’t forgive you for deceiving me. But if you leave now, I’ll let it go.”
Johann approached me without hesitation, smiling as if my threats were adorable. I felt like a cornered rat and scampered back against the wall. Covering my mouth and nose with my sleeve, I shouted at the corner of the wall,
“Leave! Please just go out!”
“Stop it. Your voice is already hoarse.”
I heard Johann’s voice above me as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Terrified, I pressed my head further into the corner and screamed,
“If you get caught, you’ll die!”
“Rize, that won’t happen.”
“If you die, I’ll die too, ugh…”
Just as I was about to break down in tears, the hand pulling me in stopped suddenly. Yet Johann didn’t back away. Instead, he leaned his forehead against the back of my head and continued to plead,
“You really don’t need to worry. Please believe me.”
When I still couldn’t stop crying, Johann sighed, sounding somewhat troubled, and leaned closer to whisper in my ear,
“I’ve never had tuberculosis.”
At that moment, my breath caught, and my tears ceased. Johann sighed a mixture of resignation and relief as he lifted me effortlessly and headed toward the bed. The dizziness I felt wasn’t from being in his arms.
‘Never had tuberculosis? Then what about the discharge papers? What is this even supposed to mean?’
There was only one answer, and I just couldn’t bring myself to believe it, even though I wanted to look only at Johann for the truth. He didn’t respond to my silent question, and as soon as he laid me down on the bed, he tried to leave.
“I’ll get the soup.”
He calmly said that it had likely cooled to the perfect temperature. I grabbed his sleeve, asking,
“What did you mean by what you said earlier?”
“I’ll explain once you finish the soup.”
When Johann returned with the bowl of soup, I was taken aback.
“This is too much…”
He hadn’t missed the chance to feed me plenty, knowing I usually didn’t eat much. Or maybe he simply didn’t want to tell me the truth. That couldn’t be it.
Even though I was already tired of the soup after just three spoonfuls, I finished every last drop. Johann seemed utterly satisfied as he took the empty bowl away. His smile felt a bit annoying.
“You’ve been coughing quite a bit…”
Since I had kept my promise, I expected him to keep his as well. But he only brought out the menthol ointment he had received and tried to rub it on my chest.
Was he planning to tell me the truth only after nursing me back to health? Or perhaps he hoped I would fall asleep? As I anxiously eyed the morphine bottle he had brought, I grabbed his hand as he started to undo the buttons on my pajamas.
“Johann, you promised.”
