Point of no Return

After they left the hospital and boarded the carriage, William looked at Albert, whose gaze had been fixed on the window the whole time, and said seriously,

"Brother, are you truly in love with Catherine? I need to know if your feelings for her are genuine. We've been teasing you about it, but I want to know if what you feel is truly from your heart. Our circumstances are different from hers."

Albert remained silent.

"Catherine saves lives; we, on the other hand, take lives. We live in the shadows, and Catherine is like a light in the darkness. Knowing our situation, what is it that you truly wish from your heart?" William did not mind Albert's silence. He only wanted to get a clear picture.

"I am also unsure of what I really feel for her. But one thing is clear to me: I'm afraid to lose her. I don't know if it is sympathy or love, but I have this feeling inside of me, a desire to just be beside her. I have been asking myself lately, 'Do I truly love her?' That is what I want to know," Albert blurted out his feelings.

William listened patiently and let Albert reveal his thoughts. After the whole conversation, William gave his advice.

"Brother, I think you already have an answer in your heart, don't you? I feel that you must have a clear understanding of your feelings towards Catherine, but you are only confused about whether what you feel is right." William paused and straightened his posture.

"No… let me rephrase that. You are afraid. You worry that by loving her, Catherine's life might be put in danger. Earlier, you didn't hesitate to shield her from the water."

Albert sighed and looked at William in resignation. "You are right. That has been weighing on me for quite some time. Looks like I have to rely on you to help me with the burdens of my heart."

"It's fine by me. You are my brother, and being a love consultant is a fresh experience that I wouldn't normally encounter," William said with a laugh.

"Thank you, William," Albert earnestly said. He thanked William not just for their current situation, but for everything they've gone through together.

The ride from the Criterion bar to the Moriarty Manor in Durham is a twenty-minute journey, but for both brothers, it felt like an eternity. Not that they were complaining—they were actually thankful. They were able to have a serious talk and share their feelings.

The carriage stops at the front porch. Fred opened the door for the two brothers. It was William who alighted first. After taking up a few steps, William stopped, turned to Albert to say something.

"Besides… It feels nice to have a new addition to the family. It makes the manor more lively."

After saying his piece, William made his way inside, not much looking at the reaction of the two people outside. As Albert froze and smiled at the realization, while Fred only looked away.

In the living room, Louis was standing, waiting for them to enter. As William came, he approach him and took the hat and cane.

"Did everything went according to your expectation, brother?"

"Yes, it did. Although there were some hiccups, still…" William paused and turned to Louis.

"Louis, could you send a telegram for me, the recipient, Dadori Bell." before he continued, he gave out a smirk that with a killing intent.

"Also, please contact the university, My lecture for tomorrow is cancelled."

At the Hospital Dormitory

In a less crowded corner of the dormitory hallways, everything that transpired—from Albert carrying a sleeping Catherine to laying her down and their departure—was seen by Luke.

A hint of jealousy and fury was etched on his face. Some of the nurses who passed by could feel his wrath. Startled by Luke's appearance, they hurriedly walked away after seeing his expression.

"I see. So you don't want a Baron, but a Count. Truly wise, Catherine. Climbing your way to the top." Luke sneered in the direction of Catherine's bedroom and walked away.

"I will get you, Catherine. You'll be mine. Oh… looks like I have to use that." Luke mumbled as he went outside. He hailed a cab, gave the address, and left.

On the balcony on the west side of the Hospital Dormitory, Lord Zachary and Doctor Helene were having tea and talking when they both noticed Luke's departure. Aware of what had transpired earlier, they didn't really care about Luke's feelings.

"What do you think he'll do now?" Doctor Helene asked amusingly.

"Whatever it is, I don't care. As long as he doesn't harm Catherine, then everything is fine." Lord Zachary sipped his tea calmly.

"Do you think… he would resort to harming her?" Doctor Helene was deep in thought.

"That depends on whether he reaches the point of no return." Lord Zachary shrugged as he continued to sip his tea.

At Catherine's Bedroom…

After regaining her energy, Catherine woke up in a familiar bed. Looking at the decorations around her, she realized she was back at the dormitory. She racked her brain trying to remember how she ended up in the room, but not a single memory came up.

"Aren't I in the carriage with Albert and William? How did I end up here?" As Catherine pondered what happened, her roommate, who had just finished her shift, entered.

"Oh! You're awake?" She greeted Catherine with a teasing smile.

"What's with the smile?" Knowing her roommate's habits, she didn't bother to guess and directly asked her.

"The person who carried you earlier, is he your lover?" Fuelled by her gossip nature, Catherine's roommate couldn't hold it in and asked the burning question.

"The who? Carried?" Catherine couldn't connect the dots.

"Earlier, a brown-haired gentleman with emerald green eyes carried you from the carriage up to your bedroom. He also didn't leave immediately. He even fixed the blanket and made sure you were comfortable before leaving," the roommate explained.

"Really?" After hearing the story, Catherine blushed hard.

Catherine's reaction made her roommate continue the story. "Everyone witnessed it. They could see how that gentleman carried you with love. His gaze at you was of someone who is so deeply enamored. You're so lucky, Catherine." At the end of her story, the roommate couldn't resist the urge to ask the main point.

"Come now, is he really your lover?"

"No. Of course not. I wouldn't even dream of such," Catherine evasively answered.

"Oh… but you love him, don't you?" the roommate asked once more, on point.

Catherine was taken aback. Instead of rebutting it, she stayed silent. The roommate nodded at understanding the situation.

"Looks like I have my answer. You know, you two looked good together. Honestly, I prefer that gentleman over Doctor Luke." the roommate shared honestly.

Catherine was intrigue of her words. "And why is that?" raising her eyebrow, she question further. "Whatever do you mean by 'You already have an answer?'"

"I mean… you didn't say no when I asked you."

"But I didn't say yes either."

"You did blush after I questioned you." the roommate winked at Catherine to state her point.

Embarrassed, Catherine touched her cheek and rebutted, "Did I really blush?"

"Yes, you did. You have great taste in men, Catherine. As I was saying earlier, although you and Doctor Luke might be a great couple, I feel something eerie about him," the roommate stated her opinion.

Catherine sat down on her bed and asked in confusion, "Something eerie? What are you talking about?"

"Well… I don't know, but with Doctor Luke, I feel he's not really that much in love with you. He just gives me the feeling that there is something more to him that we don't know." The roommate grabbed some clothes and walked to the bathroom door, but before she entered, she said something that made Catherine contemplate.

"His gaze at you is different. The gentleman who carried you had a soft and tender gaze. However, with Doctor Luke, I sometimes catch him looking at you with lust and something like obsession."

Catherine did not reply as her roommate went in. She recalled the times when Doctor Luke was confessing to her and all the instances when they had conversations. Although, admittedly, there were times she felt uncomfortable, she never did feel those things described to her by her roommate.