Thank you so much for viewing and reviewing! This is smaller than the first, but there are more coming! Let me know what you think... :-) :-)

CHAPTER 2

Still half-asleep, her eyes shut, she groped the duvet for his hand.

"Rhett…"

Another hand, thin and soft, grabbed hers tenderly and a cool palm rested on her forehead. She opened her eyes slowly and saw Melanie's smiling face leaning over her.

"Is he gone?" she murmured in agony.

"No, dear. He's sleeping," she said gently. "He was so exhausted after three days of sleeplessness. I was truly worried he would fall ill as well."

"Was he next to me?"

"From the moment you asked for him, he never left your side. You are so lucky to have a man who loves you so."

She sucked in her breath suddenly.

"How can you tell?" she asked quietly trying to hide the tremble in her voice.

"Tell what, honey?

"That Rhett…"

"I'm not sure I understand your question," Melanie said confused, but after reading the expression on the sister-in-law's face she realized what she meant and her eyes grew wide with surprise.

"You mean to tell me that… Scarlett… It can't be possible!" she exclaimed.

She immediately regretted her loud voice.

"Is it possible that you didn't know?" she asked lowering her voice this time.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Darling, how could I have even imagined that you didn't know? It's so obvious…" she wondered.

"Obvious?"

"Since the war years… Remember, Scarlett. Was there a moment he was not present in your life? Whenever you needed him, he was there. The day of the siege, he rescued us all. After the war he helped you set about your business. When poor Frank passed away, he proposed right away. He is offering you whatever you ask. What else could his conduct mean? No man does all these if he isn't madly in love with a woman!"

It was obvious indeed. How on earth had she missed it for so long? Suddenly she felt so stupid, so blind. All the pieces of the puzzle were now in place and the picture was crystal clear. He loved her, of course he did, even though he was the only person who knew her true character. He loved her exactly as she was and he was standing next to her knowing she desired another man. How torturous , how painful that must have been for him! And that night… It was jealousy, pain, betrayal. If only she had listened, if she had even tried to explain… No. She was indifferent and she had driven him away. Yet… He came back again. Because he loved her.

Tears dropped down her cheeks. Melanie was alarmed. She squeezed her hand.

"Why are you crying? Oh my God… Did I say something I shouldn't?

"No," she murmured. "It's not you. It's me, it's always me. Melly, what shall I do?"

"I have no idea what you are referring to, dear. What I do know is that everything can be corrected. Whatever it is that you did, I'm sure there is a way to fix it. Misunderstandings between people that love each other don't last long," she gave her a sweet smile. "Now, there, dry your eyes and tell me. Are you hungry? Should I call to have something prepared for you?"

She nodded wearily.

"Can you help me sit up?"

Rhett walked into the room that very moment.

"Let me do it, Miss Melly," he said crossing the room.

He leaned over her.

"Put your arm around me," he asked.

She obeyed and Rhett lifted her up gently and put her back in her bed in an upright position. Her face contorted from the sharp pain in her flank. She leaned on the pillow, even the slightest move could leave her exhausted. He sat next to her. He looked refreshed and he was fleshly shaved. The smell of his cologne filled her nostrils. She felt overwhelmed by embarrassment; she had no idea what to say or what to do. He reached out and imperceptibly caressed her cheek with the back of his palm. Her skin shivered under his touch.

"Are you feeling better? Do you have fever?" he asked.

"No, I'm better," she said quietly.

Under his concerned gaze she felt her cheeks blushing.

While getting out of the room, Melanie couldn't help but wonder; what could possibly had happened between those two that had caused them to doubt one another so much. Her own marriage has always been cloudless and she couldn't even begin to conceive the far too complex relationship between Rhett and Scarlett. To her innocent eyes, it was obvious that they loved each other passionately. How could they not know it?