Chapter 2

"Flynn, what's wrong?"

Anne was puzzled. She had no idea why Flynn was so worked up.

"Ah, it's nothing, Auntie Anne. Let's head home."

Flynn quickly suppressed his emotions, steadying Anne as they started making their way back. His mind was racing. He needed to find a chance to test himself—to see if he was truly healed.

Anne nodded but gave him a serious look. "From now on, be more careful when you go out alone to gather herbs. If it weren't for Daisy, I would have lost you forever. When you have time tomorrow, go to the village market and buy a little something. I'll go with you to visit her family and thank her properly."

"I got it, Auntie. I'll be more careful next time."

Still, Flynn thought, if it weren't for Daisy, he wouldn't have had those dark thoughts in the first place.

He scratched his head reluctantly. "Do I really have to go? She looks down on me too much."

"What nonsense!" Anne scolded. "She saved your life. You should be grateful. Tomorrow, you're coming with me. No excuses!"

"Fine." Flynn sighed in resignation.

Satisfied, Anne gave him a gentle pat on the head. Flynn grinned, tilting his face up toward her.

"Auntie, you're really beautiful. And so kind. Whoever marries you is the luckiest man alive."

She was striking—radiant, even. Unlike the rough country women in the village, she had a softness, a glow. Flynn had seen actresses on TV who didn't look half as beautiful as she did.

Anne chuckled, but there was a tinge of sadness in her smile. "You're just teasing me. I'm blind, Flynn. Who would want to marry me?"

"I would," Flynn said earnestly. "If I had to choose, I'd want a wife just like you."

After all, they were not related by blood.

"Don't talk nonsense," Anne scolded, her cheeks turning red. She reached out and covered his mouth. "If people hear you, they'll think you'll never find a wife!"

She playfully pinched his arm, but there was no real force behind it. Her movements were fluid and captivating. Flynn stared, mesmerized.

"Auntie, you're beautiful…" he murmured, an unshakable thought taking root in his mind.

He would make money. Enough to cure her blindness. If she was this beautiful now, how much more stunning would she be once she could see again?

Before long, they arrived back at the village clinic.

Flynn was impatient to test himself, to confirm whether he was fully recovered. With a quick word to Anne, he rushed into the back room, shut the door, and hastily pulled down his pants.

For the next half-hour, he worked his hands tirelessly, but his body only grew more unrelenting, more defiant.

"Well, I'm healed, but… what the hell do I do now?"

His mind drifted to the river. To Daisy. To the way her body had shimmered in the water.

"Could she be the answer?"

For the first time in his life, Flynn felt the unbearable weight of frustration.

A sudden, forceful knocking on the glass startled him.

"Shit!" He fumbled, yanking up his pants. Heart pounding, he turned to the window.

There, staring straight at him, was Esme Bennett, the village widow. Her sharp eyes were locked onto him, unblinking.

Esme was a pretty unfortunate woman. On the day of her wedding, before she and her husband could even consummate their marriage, he died on the way to pick her up. Her family, having already accepted the bride price, refused to return it. Left with no choice, she remained in Kempton Village, a widow in name, bound to a man she never truly had.

Flynn forced a laugh, rubbing his hands against his pants. "Esme, when did you get here?"

"Long enough to get a sunburn waiting for you!" She crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Why the hell did you lock the door in broad daylight? Open up! I need you to check something for me."

Flynn's heart nearly stopped. Had she seen everything? Did she know?

But she didn't mention it, and he wasn't about to ask.

Shoving his stubborn little problem back into his pants, he stepped out of the back room and unlatched the door.

Esme scowled. "Took you long enough! It's hotter than hell out here!"

She rolled her eyes, but Flynn caught the way they flickered downward, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

"Sorry, Esme," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "The heat must be messing with my head."

Anne, who was sitting in the main room, had already recognized the voice. "Esme, what's wrong? If you're feeling unwell, let me check."

"No need, Anne. Just a quick acupuncture session from Flynn will do. Your eyes aren't too good, so don't trouble yourself."

Before Flynn could react, Esme grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the back room, shutting the door behind her.

"Esme, what are you doing?" Flynn was baffled. "If you need acupuncture, I haven't even prepared the needles yet. Why close the door?"

She took a step closer, eyes locked onto his. "I'm not sick, Flynn."

Flynn froze.

"I need to ask you something. And you're going to tell me the truth. If you don't, I'll go straight to your aunt and tell her what you were just up to."

His stomach dropped. "Wait, no! Please, don't tell her!"

She smirked. "Then answer me honestly. Are you all healed now?"

His silence was answer enough. Her eyes flickered with understanding, her breath quickening.

She hadn't been mistaken. Flynn was healed—and not just that, he was beyond anything she'd ever heard of.

She had never been with a man. Never known what it was like. But as she had stood at that window, watching, she had felt something shift inside her, something she couldn't ignore.

She took another step forward. "Flynn… please."

"Esme, stop!"

He backed away, but she wouldn't let go.

"I've never asked for anything in my life. Just this once… will you show me what it's like to be with a man?"

Her arms tightened around him. Her breath came fast and unsteady.