Chapter 7 Why Was It Not You

• “Donovan.” Shelby's eyes were bright as the man quietly undressed her, his face buried in the nape of her neck.
• Shelby tentatively wrapped her arms around his neck, which Donovan made no move to avoid.
• Her lips were tightly pursed, enduring it all.
• “Shelby,” the man called her name in a hoarse voice, causing her to lose focus momentarily. This side of Donovan was enough to make her feel disoriented.
• “Yeah,” she said with a smile.
• Cradling his face in her hands, her fingers hooked around his ears, this was the man she loved, her Donovan.
• His warm hand cradled her face, almost encompassing half of it within his grasp. As Donovan leaned in closer, Shelby could clearly see his deep-set pupils, his long eyelashes, and his slightly creased eyelids.
• Donovan's lips parted slightly, his eyes calm and indifferent. “Shelby,” he said, “why weren't you the one who fell ill? Why aren't you the one who's dying?”
• There wasn't any particular malice in his eyes, yet this only made Shelby feel an even deeper chill to her bones.
• He couldn't even bother to hate me.
• Shelby closed her eyes, realizing that if something were to happen to Donovan, she wouldn't be able to live either.
• She could grant him his wish, vanishing from his world forever. Perhaps then, his world would finally brighten.
• Donovan had fallen into a deep sleep by her side, while Shelby spent the entire night sitting on the bed, hugging her knees.
• Before Donovan woke up, she had already left the room. He had come to her room because he had drunk too much. Once he sobered up and realized he had slept with her, he would undoubtedly feel disgusted. After all, he found her repulsive.
• The sunlight from outside pierced through the white lace curtains and invaded the room. The man on the bed stirred, his arm draped over his forehead as he opened his eyes.
• The chaos of the previous night lingered in his mind, yet it was slipping away too quickly for him to grasp.
• He realized he was in Shelby's room. Subconsciously, his gaze drifted toward the bed sheets, which were not the same set that had flashed through his mind earlier.
• Donovan left the room, rubbing his temples in exasperation. At that moment, Shelby was squatting in the bathroom, staring blankly at the spinning drum of the washing machine.
• Footsteps echoed from behind, prompting Shelby to immediately stand up. She then grimaced. Her leg was really numb.
• A strong hand supported her waist. “Yesterday...”
• Donovan looked into her eyes.
• Shelby flashed him a smile. “You drank too much and threw up all over the bed.”
• Donovan's lips tightened as he withdrew his hand. The confusion in his mind didn't quite align with what Shelby had said. He unbuttoned his shirt. Perhaps he was dreaming.
• Surprisingly, I had dreamt of Shelby...
• “Do you want some buns for breakfast? I—”
• Donovan waved his hand. “I'm going to the hospital to visit Lila.”
• The smile on Shelby's face momentarily froze, but she skillfully concealed it.
• “Okay, bye.”
• Her phone chimed, prompting Shelby to lower her gaze, evading his. She glanced at the message; it was the compatibility test results.
• She could donate her heart to Lila.
• Shelby lifted her head, rubbing her sore nose, and called out to Donovan who was about to leave. “Wait.”
• Donovan turned around, only to find Shelby standing behind him, smiling. Her smile was light and faint, yet it tugged at his heartstrings intensely.
• “Wait for me,” Shelby said. After uttering those words, she turned and ran. She darted upstairs and retrieved a delicate, navy blue gift box from a cabinet. Then, she rushed back down.
• “Here, this is for you.” She was panting heavily, a sudden knot in her stomach. She bit down hard on her lip, her expression revealing no sign of weakness.
• Inside the box was a tie. Donovan glanced at it and said, “The suit I'm wearing today doesn't match this tie.”
• Shelby shook his head, “It's fine. You can pair it with any other suit later on.”
• It was okay even if he didn't put it on. In fact, she had bought this tie a long time ago, and she feared she might never get the chance to give it to him anymore.