?


    Vrie and Brandon had just started dating. Marriage was a long way off, so Phoebe reminded him, "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves."


    Jonathan nodded. "You''re right."


    "But..." Phoebe hesitated, remembering how Vrie would unconsciously smile whenever she received a text from Brandon during meals. She had a feeling they might actually get married.


    "But what?" Jonathan asked, his heart lurching at the word.


    Phoebe couldn''t help but smile at his worried expression. "Nothing. We''re on our floor. Let''s go."


    Who could say what the future held?


    Just as Brandon returned to the hospital room, a pillow flew toward him. He caught it easily and looked at Vrie, who was ring at him from the bed.


    His gaze softened as he asked, "What''s bothering my little princess?"


    Vrie shot him a pointed look. "Why did you say you were the one to confess first? It was me who asked if you''d like to give things a try. Now my parents might think poorly of you."


    Brandon walked over and ced the pillow back on the bed. "Doesn''t matter. I''ll make sure they warm up to me with time."


    After all, he was only dating Vrie for now. Marriage was a long way off.


    "You do realize first impressions matter, right?" Vrie asked.


    Brandon looked at her, his expression firm. "You''re what matters most."


    He would rather take the me himself than let Vrie face criticism from her parents.


    Vrie pursed her lips. "Whatever. Just so you know, my dad''s tough to win over. You''ll regret it."


    "I won''t," Brandon replied, his gaze gentle but unwavering.


    It reminded Vrie of the first time they met when she signed the contract. He had looked at her with that same resolute expression, promising to win her heart.


    As their eyes met now, Vrie felt her cheeks grow warm. She quickly turned her gaze away and hid under the covers, mumbling, "I''m tired. Turn off the lights."


    Her voice was muffled from under the nket.


    Brandon''s smile deepened. "Alright. Just don''t cover yourselfpletely, or you''ll end up hot and sweaty again."


    "Got it," Vrie replied.


    Though she moved under the


    covers, she didn''t peek out, which only deepened Brandon''s affection. He turned off the lights, and the room was plunged into darkness.


    "Goodnight," he said.


    UMS


    The room fell silent, and Brandony on the sofa, using the dim light from his phone screen to read.


    Vrie, surprisingly, fell asleep quickly, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time.


    When she opened her eyes at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, she found Brandon sitting on the sofa, working on some documents.


    Hearing her stir, he looked over and set his papers aside. "You''re up? bought soup and sandwiches. Wash up, and let''s have breakfast. The police mighte byter for your statement."


    Vrie nodded. "Alright."


    By the time she finished breakfast, it was almost 8:30 a.m.


    The doctor came in for rounds, checking her vitals before smiling and saying, "Ms. Weir, if you''re feeling well, you''ll likely be discharged this afternoon."


    "Thank you, doctor," Vrie replied.


    Soon after the doctor left, the police arrived to take her statement.


    When they finished, one of the officers stood up and said, "Ms. Weir, we understand the situation now, but since Zayn Updike hasn''t regained consciousness, we''ll need his statement to proceed further. Just focus on resting for now, and we''ll be in touch if we need anything."