Esther choked back a sob and clung to his arm. "I don’t want to sleep. I’m afraid that when I wake up in the morning, you won’t want me anymore."
"You don’t have to worry about that," a sudden voice interrupted, startling both of them.
"He won’t leave you. Once summer break is over, he’ll become a teacher in town—he’ll stay right here, in this home, with you," Iris added as she stepped out from the living room, her gaze falling on their tightly clasped hands.
Perhaps out of guilt, Wendel pulled his hand away as if it had been scalded.
He forced an awkward smile. "Iris, why aren’t you asleep?"
She replied calmly, "Oh, I just couldn’t sleep. Esther, you didn’t eat dinner earlier, so Mom asked me to heat up some food for you. It’s in the kitchen."
Esther lowered her head, her eyes still red. "I’m sorry, Iris. I was just feeling a little down today and needed some comfort. I know I was being thoughtless... You and Wendel are getting married, but I still keep clinging to him. You understand, don’t you? I don’t have any family, so I rely on him more than I should. Iris, you don’t mind, do you?"