As the temperature gradually rose, Catherine Earnshaw stood stubbornly like a pine tree, her sweat soaking through and drying in the breeze over and over again. Passersby cast complex glances her way, their murmurs of pity and judgment lingering in the air. A crowd gathered, some taking photos with their phones, treating her as if she were a madwoman. Yet, Catherine was oblivious to it all, her focus entirely on the man upstairs.
As the sun set and the streetlights flickered on, the onlookers dispersed, but Catherine remained standing firm.
Charlie Weasley, witnessing this from above, couldnt help but be intrigued. "Arent you going to check on her?" he asked Edward Cullen, who didnt even bother to look up from his book.
"Why would I do something as pointless as that?" Edward replied indifferently.
Charlie became curious about how long she would wait. As dusk fell and the night set in, Catherine was still standing there, a sentinel of stubborn hope.
Charlie, unable to contain his amusement, chuckled. "Suddenly, I think you two are very much alike in character, stubborn to the point of madness in the eyes of others. Among all the girls who pursued you, she is the most persevering I have ever seen, surpassing even Jane Eyre in this regard."
The sound of a book being slammed shut echoed through the room, causing Charlie to suppress a shudder. He looked at Edward, who seemed as calm as ever, as if the outburst had not happened.
Charlie shrugged apologetically. "I didnt mean to mention her, but... are you still waiting for her?" The probe was overt.
Edward glanced at him with a sneer. "Why would I waste my precious time on a betrayer?" With that, he closed his book and left.
Charlie could confidently say that he had angered Edward just now.
After Edward left, Charlie went downstairs to face Catherine, scrutinizing her carefully. In terms of figure and appearance, she didnt compare to Jane Eyre, yet her eyes were something that even Jane could never match. She wasnt like Jane, but in the same breath, Jane wasnt like her either.
"Dont wait anymore; hes already left through the back door," Charlie said with a light smile.
Catherine glanced at him and, without a word, turned to leave.
Charlie was taken aback by her retreating figure, unable to believe that he had just been ignored by this woman.
Catherine quickened her pace towards the back door and indeed spotted Edwards figure, stealthily following him.
Unbeknownst to her, Edward had already noticed her. "I said again, do not follow me!" Edwards anger was palpable as he punched a nearby tree, causing leaves to rustle and fall, his blood dripping onto them, staining them red.
Catherine was startled but quickly recovered, rushing to his side with a handkerchief from her pocket, disregarding his resistance as she carefully bandaged his wound, her movements gentle and cautious, lest she cause him more pain.
Edward watched her, suddenly murmuring to himself in a tone of self-mockery, "If only you were her, but... youre not."