Chapter 63 Walter’s Worry
Philip’s promises never changed.
Evelyn knew that about him.
She nodded slightly and asked, “That person … Can you tell me who it is?”
“To protect him, I’d rather keep that secret to myself,” Philip answered.
Finished
After a pause, he added, “I trust you. I just worry that if you meet him, you might judge him too harshly. Evelyn, he’s a good man-he only lost his way for a moment.”
Evelyn didn’t press further.
Even lovers had their own secrets. It wasn’t about keeping things from their partner; sometimes it was about giving each other space.
She had never told Philip about all the family mess. She didn’t want him to carry burden.
Now that she knew he had secrets too, it almost felt fair.
that
‘Alright,” she said gently. “Once I meet him myself and see who he really is, then you can tell
me more.”
With that, the matter was set aside. Evelyn carefully wiped down Philip’s body, tending to his fever.
His face was less pale than before, though he still needed time to recover fully.
She urged him to rest and then headed to the cafeteria to get him a bowl of grits.
As she passed the training field, she spotted Marvin.
She only meant to wave hello and keep moving, but Marvin rushed over and blocked her path.
“Dr. Schmidt, something’s wrong!” he blurted out.
Those three words-something’s wrong-made Evelyn’s chest tighten,
Today, she’d already heard them once, when Quade came running with news that Philip had
been shot.
Now this was the second time. Her eyebrows twitched, but she forced herself to stay calm; it
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Chapter 63 Walter’s Worry
was probably something small. “What happened?” she asked steadily.
Finished
“I was over by Eastgate selling some trinkets when I saw a group of people asking around about Philip. I rushed back, planning to talk it over with my mom and figure out how to tell you. Then, by chance, I ran right into you.”
Evelyn glanced down and noticed the basket still hooked on Marvin’s arm, stuffed full of little trinkets he had been trying to sell.
“A group of people, you said? What kind of people exactly?” she pressed, frowning deeply.
Marvin tried to explain, waving his hands, but his description made little sense.
Finally, Evelyn cut in, steering him back on track. “How old were they?” she asked.
“There were older folks and younger ones,” Marvin said quickly. “Quite a few of them, actually.”
Evelyn had first thought maybe someone was out to cause trouble for Philip.
But after hearing Marvin’s account, she dismissed the idea.
Nobody looking to pick a fight would drag along a crowd that included the elderly.
After weighing her options, Evelyn made up her mind.
She handed her lunchbox to Marvin. “Here’s what you’ll do,” she said firmly. “Go to the cafeteria and get a bowl of grits. If they’ve got omelets, pick one up too. Take them to the military dorm-top floor, room 808. Knock and say I sent you. If they let you in, fine. If not, just leave the food at the door and let him know it’s from me.”
Marvin nodded eagerly, happy to be trusted with the errand. But when he noticed Evelyn starting to walk off, his face tightened with worry. “Dr. Schmidt, where are you going? You’re not heading to Eastgate, are you?”
“I’m going to take a look,” Evelyn answered.
Marvin’s face tightened with worry. “You can’t go, Dr. Schmidt! Who knows what they want? If they lose their tempers, what if they hurt you?”
Sure, Dr. Schmidt was skilled in medicine, but fighting off a group of people?
Even a trained fighter might struggle.
For her to walk in alone-it was like throwing an egg against a rock.
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But Evelyn thought Marvin was exaggerating.
Finished
“They’re after Philip. Even if it’s revenge, there’s no reason they’d come after anyone else. Besides, Eastgate is the busiest place on campus. If they dared lay a hand on me, they’d regret
it.”
Her words calmed him down-at least enough for him to head toward the cafeteria.
Still, worry tugged at him.
On the way, he decided that after finishing the errand, he’d rush to Eastgate himself. Maybe he could help Evelyn.
And if not, at least he could buy her some time to get away.
But when Marvin hurried back with the takeout and climbed to the top floor, he was stunned Evelyn was already sitting inside the dorm room.
“Dr. Schmidt? Weren’t you going to Eastgate?” Marvin asked, wide-eyed with surprise.
Evelyn waved him in with a smile. “Come on inside. Set the grits on the table, and be careful; it’s hot.”
Only then did she explain.
She hadn’t even reached Eastgate-because she had run into that group along the way.
Evelyn’s sharp eyes quickly spotted Walter.
That was when she realized he had heard about Philip’s injury and had gone out of his way to gather his other mentees to check on him.
Evelyn made sure to ask Walter whether he knew the real cause of Philip’s injury before leading him upstairs.
Since Walter already knew it was a gunshot wound, and since he was both mentor and friend, a visit was only right.
“You all step out for a bit,” Philip said. “I need a word alone with Walter.”
The younger men quickly filed out.
Evelyn and Marvin followed after them, leaving the room quiet.
Now only Philip and Walter remained.
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Finished
me, did you
Philip gave a helpless and weary smile. “Walter, even if you’re worried about really have to make such a show of it? Bringing everyone here? Couldn’t you keep it quiet? It’s just a gunshot wound.”
Walter smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Don’t kid me, boy. I know your temper. If I’d come alone, you’d have refused to see me. So I brought backup. I knew if they all crowded in here, asking questions and refusing to leave, you’d have no choice but to face me. Am I wrong?”
Before Philip could reply, Walter added, “Besides, I never told them what happened. All I said was you got hurt. You’re a soldier-getting injured during training isn’t exactly unusual, is it?”
Philip said nothing. His silence filled the room.
Walter let out a heavy sigh. “Your grandfather told me everything. That kid went way too far. Maybe it’s time we tell the truth. This way he won’t keep making reckless choices.”
“No,” Philip said sharply; he got a little worked up and tried to sit up. The sudden pull on his abdomen made him groan in pain.
Walter caught him quickly, steadying him. “Easy! What’s got you so worked up? You think I’d spill it without your say-so? I wouldn’t dare. But I don’t understand what you’re so stubborn about. You’re just like your father. The boy deserves to know someday. You can’t let him live his whole life in a lie.”
Philip’s breathing slowed as the pain ebbed. When he finally spoke again, his voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. “He should know, but not now.”
His tone was light, but that final tone shut Walter down completely. There was no use fighting
Philip was steady and capable in every way, but on this matter, he was unmovable.
Once it had only been small scuffles. But now, guns were involved.
And if there was a next time?
He didn’t even want to imagine it.
