Te probably hadn''t expected that the visitor would be Evan, of all people. Knowing the history between us, she just gave me a reassuring look before leaving


    "Don''t let it get to you," she said softly. "Everything is just temporary."


    I nodded, watching her walk out.


    Carrying arge bag of supplements, Evan stepped inside, his movements a bit akward. Before she left, Teri shot him a serious nce.


    "Just don''t be like your brother. Be a decent person


    Evan frowned, clearly ufortable with her directness, and didn''t respond


    Once the door clicked shut, I sat up against the headboard, taking a moment to really look at him. He looked older than his 13 years-probably because of his height and broad frame, but there was still a vulnerability in his face that made his age clear.


    He stood in ce, holding the stuff he bought, looking a bit uneasy Ideared my throat. "Evan, why don''t you take a seat?


    He shifted ufortably before cing the bag on the table beside my bed. The Theaid they''re good for recovery


    "be mumbled, "T-just take them."


    Looking at this young boy before me, I felt aplex mix of emotions-gratitude, confusion, a bit of fatigue. "Why did youe here? Did someone tell you to visit i


    He fidgeted, rubbing his nose. "Ie to the hospital a lot because of my brother''s leg, It''s still in a cast. And I heard you were hurt, too, so I thought I''d check in."


    Thest thing he said was barely a whimper, almost inaudible. His youthful, handsome face turned quietly red Trealized that I didn''t have much to say to him


    A wave of exhaustion and helplessness washed over me, and I nodded, "Alright. Thank you for dropping by. I''m fine now, You don''t need toe over anymore. You should be focusing on


    After that, we tell into an awkward sew. I didn''t know what else to say, and neither did he. The air between as felt heavy with unspoken words, but I couldn''t bring myself to fill the vold Finally, Evan broke the ence, looking up at me with a hint of desperation in his eyes. "Ari, can you make up with my brother?**


    1 was taken aback, instinctively asking, "Why?"


    His face had a conflicted expression. After a moment, he spoke quietly, "My brother he''s not doing too well"


    I owed. "Tur he only broke his leg right?


    Evan shook his head. "No, it''s more than that. He''s just different now. He used to be so focused, working so hard to thepany. But now he''s just..." Haledon, sugding to put his thoughts into words.


    I pursed my lips. I sort of knew Evan''s visit would the tolijah, but I never expected him toe to get us to reconcile


    After all, Evan was still young and didn''t really understand what was going on with Elijah. All he knew was that if he found me, maybe Elijah would get better.


    I shook my head gently. "Tami''t help him, EvanTM


    My answer hit him like a p, his face turning red with frestation. "Why not? Didn''t you say you loved him more than anyone? He risked his life to save you! He broke his leg for you, and Bow he''s truck in a wheelchair!" 1 looked at him with calmposure. "I know. But we''re done. There''s no going back


    He statedat me, dearly able to process my response.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "But why?" he said, his voice rising with confusion and anger. "You always said you loved him! How could you just change your mind? He''s in such a bad ce now, and you''re just


    T


    huuoff, my tone cold, a trace of berness lipping through "Ask your brother. He blows exactly why I''m not going back."


    His expression morphed into one of shock, as though my calm refusal was thest thing he''d expected