Debra cast a nce at Juan, his form still and silent on the hospital bed.


    "I''lle back when he''s better."


    With that, she turned on her heel and walked out of the ward.


    As the door clicked shut behind her, Juan''s eyes fluttered open.


    Joe was totally surprised.


    "Sir, you''re awake."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    "Help me sit up."


    Juan''s voice was hoarse. Joe quickly assisted him, propping pillows behind his back.


    "Sir, is this an act?"


    Juan remained silent, his mind reying the events. The security rm had red early, a warning that only Debra could have triggered.


    When the intruders burst in, Juan could have easily evaded the knife, but he hadn''t. He had taken the blow deliberately, gambling on Debra''s reaction. A wry smile tugged at the corners of Juan''s mouth.


    "She must still care for me."


    Joe hesitated before speaking. "Mrs. Nichols used to love you so deeply. If you''re hurt, she''d definitely be concerned."


    "Concerned?" Juan muttered. "If she cared, she wouldn''t have left."


    His face was pale, the lines of pain etched deeply around his eyes. Though he was conscious, his injuries were far from superficial. ''Debra is smart. She must have sensed something amiss and made her exit.''


    "I''m tired, Joe. Go handle the discharge paperwork."


    "But..."


    "Do as I say."


    "Yes, sir."


    Debra was steps away from the elevator when a figure lunged from the shadows, grabbing her arm and pinning her against the wall. "Marion, is that you?"


    The figure stiffened, confirming her suspicion. Marion removed his mask, revealing his face in the faint glow of the exit signs. Debra''s anger boiled over. "What do you think you''re doing?"


    She shoved his hand away. Marion anxiously pulled her into an embrace, his voice low and desperate.


    "Don''t be mad."


    "I''m not mad. Why should I? Do whatever you like."


    Marion held her at arm''s length, his eyes filled with almost palpable sadness.


    "I don''t know how to make this right. Tell me what to do, or hit me if you want. If you''re mad because I hurt Juan, let him stab me back." "Nonsense!"


    She punched his chest with


    frustration. Marion was usually so level-headed, but this stunt had been anything but. His irrational behavior was a direct response to the media''s announcement of her reconciliation with Juan.


    Debra turned her head away, her voice shaking with anger. "I''m mad because you don''t trust me. I''m mad at your childish actions." Marion whispered, "I''m childish only for you."


    Looking back, he realized the absurdity of his actions. He knew Debra wouldn''t fall back into Juan''s arm just because of a few words spoken for the cameras.


    Looking back, he realized how absurd his actions were. He knew Debra wouldn''t go back to Juan just because of a few words. In front of the media, they were just ying a part Yet the thought of her with Juan had sent him spiraling, driving him to act on impulse.