<b>May 1st, 8:06 PM</b>


    As Alicia heard the door open, she lifted her head gently. A faint smile flickered across her lips as she saw Jeff walk in. With a groan, she sat upright and leaned her back against the pillow.


    Jeff closed the door behind him, carrying a lunchbox as he approached her. His steps were slow, hesitant, as though he was bracing himself for a confrontation he didn’t want to have.


    After Alicia received initial treatment, Jeff had decided she should be admitted for further care under a nurse’s supervision. When it got late, he left the hospital briefly to buy her dinner. Since leaving Alicia’s house for the hospital earlier that day, they had not spoken. Now, as Jeff walked into the ward, both were lost in their thoughts, trying to figure out what to say to each other. The room hung in an awkward silence as he approached her bedside.


    Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, Jeff let his gaze wander around the VIP ward. The smell of antiseptic and mint hung faintly in the air. Opposite Alicia’s bed, a glass wall offered a stunning view of the city skyline. Beside her bed was a small shelf, and the bed itself looked... Jeff stopped his train of thought as his eyes met Alicia’s. She quickly looked away, her face flushed with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name.


    Clearing his throat, Jeff stopped in front of her.


    “Are you feeling better?” he asked, placing the lunchbox on the shelf. His voice was soft, almost careful, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing.


    Alicia nodded slightly. Noticing that his gaze lingered on her bandaged ankle, she cleared her throat to break the silence.


    “I’m fine,” she said quickly. Her tone was flat, but her eyes darted around the room, avoiding his.


    “Can’t we leave tonight?” she added, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Jeff sighed and sank into the chair beside her bed. His shoulders slumped, the weight of unspoken words pressing heavily on him.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    “We could, but I want you to rest,” he replied gently.


    “I can''t rest here,” Alicia countered, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. “You know that.”


    Jeff nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands. “I know, and I’m sorry. But I just want to make sure you’re okay. If I take you home now, you’ll push me away. I won’t be able to care for you.” He paused, glancing at her with a mix of concern and frustration. “But don’t worry—we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”


    Alicia heaved a sigh, unsure of how to respond. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, betraying the calm she tried to project.


    “I brought you dinner,” Jeff offered, his voice lighter, almost hopeful.


    “I’m not hungry,” she replied, her words laced with exhaustion. She glanced at him, her voice barely a whisper. “I’ve lost my appetite, Jeff.”


    “You need to eat…”


    “No, Jeff,” she interrupted, shaking her head. “I just... can’t.”


    “Is it because of me? Fine! I’m sorry—”


    “No,” she interrupted, her voice trembling. She wiped her eyes, fighting back the tears. “It’s not you, Jeff. I just… I just keep wondering. If you hadn’t saved me… would he really have killed me?” She gave a hollow laugh, the sound bitter and empty. “It’s... funny, isn’t it?” Her voice cracked as tears fell.


    “I gave him everything, Jeff. Everything.” Her voice shook as she spoke, and she looked away, her gaze unfocused. “Last night… at his party… I saw him with Janet. I was consumed with jealousy. She stayed with him all night, while he ignored me. I felt like… I felt like I was just a side chick. A nobody.”


    She let out a bitter laugh and glanced at Jeff. “When I confronted him… he slapped me. Right in front of everyone. He shoved me out, insulted me. And yet, this morning, when Alison called him a jerk, I defended him. I stormed out in anger. Then he apologized in the middle of the night, and I forgave him, just like that. And this morning, I fought you… because I was trying to protect him. I was stupid—no, I <i>am</i> stupid—for still caring about him. He pretended to be kind at first, but he’s nothing but selfish.”


    Her breath hitched, and fresh tears blurred her vision as she looked up at Jeff.


    “I know you’re angry with me,” she whispered, her voice cracking.


    Jeff heaved a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. His jaw tightened as he struggled to contain the emotions bubbling within him.


    “Why?” he asked, his voice trembling. “Why him, Alicia? I’ve been here for you. All these years. Loving you. And yet… you always push me away. You’ve never even given me a chance.”


    Alicia’s gaze fell to her hands. She laughed bitterly, but it was empty. “You think I don’t love you?” she scoffed. “You’re a fool, Jeff. A fool.”


    Jeff’s expression twisted, his heart aching. “Love?” His voice was low, full of hurt. “I can’t even remember the last time you showed me that.”