The hallway was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.


    Monica sat stiffly on the bench, arms crossed, refusing to look at Jason. She was still simmering with anger-honestly, it was the first time she''d ever snapped at him.


    Usually, the second Jason showed up, Monica would light up like a Christmas tree, bounding toward him, practically glued to his side. Tonight, though, she just couldn''t muster it.


    Jason could tell something was off. He hesitated, then sat down beside her, fidgeting awkwardly before finally asking, "How''s your dad? What did the doctors say?"


    Monica stayed silent.


    Jason grew more anxious, rubbing his hands together. "There was an emergency at work today, I had to head out with the team. My phone was on silent- department policy, you know that-so I missed your calls. As soon as we wrapped up, I saw you''d called and called you right back."


    Monica just let him talk. She didn''t interrupt, didn''t even look his way.


    When he finished, Monica finally turned to him, her tone icy and dripping with sarcasm. "Detective Lu, you''re a busy man. You''ve got all those rules to follow. When it''s something important, I guess Monica just doesn''t make the cut. I''m always the one that has to step back."


    "Monica,e on, don''t say that. You''re my girlfriend," Jason said, reaching for her hand.


    Monica pulled her hand away, her voice rising, hurt and biting. "Am I? Because whenever I really need you, you''re never there. The whole country needs you, apparently. Me? I get a sliver of your time, if that. Just because your job is special, I have to make all the allowances-if I call during work, I''m in the wrong. When you finally have time, you expect me to drop everything and show up. What do you see me as? Some girl at a hotel you can just drop by when it''s convenient?"


    Her words tumbled out, voice shaking, tears streaming down her face. The more she spoke, the more upset she got.


    Jason had never seen Monica like this. For the first time, he really understood how much she''d been holding in, sacrificing so he could do his job.


    He wanted to say something, but nothing came. She was right. He''d let his work pull him away, always assuming Monica would just be there, always understanding.


    He saw now how much that had cost her.


    "Monica, I" Jason started, but the words caught in his throat.


    "Let''s break up."


    She swiped the tears from her cheeks and said it-five words that shattered the air.


    Jason felt like he''d been struck by lightning. He froze, stunned.


    Monica was still angry. She regretted saying it the second it was out, but her pride wouldn''t let her take it back. Words, once spoken, couldn''t be unsaid.


    She closed her eyes. "I''m tired, Detective Lu. Please go. Let''s just call it quits." She wouldn''t look at him. If she did, she knew she''d crumble.


    Jason stared at her, her face blotchy and wet with tears, struggling to keep his own emotions in check. "Is this really what you want?"


    "Yeah. I''m sure. We''re done." Monica''s voice was brittle. She tossed the words over her shoulder and hurried toward the restroom.


    She cranked the tap and sshed cold water on her face, trying to pull herself together.


    Her thoughts were spinning. After washing up, she dug out a cigarette. She''d quit when she started dating Jason, but thesest couple of days had undone all that.


    Two cigarettester, she finally felt a little steadier. When she came out, Jason was gone.


    The empty corridor somehow made everything worse, an ache and anger rolling through her all over again.


    She flopped back onto the bench, stewing, until a nurse appeared. "Monica, your food delivery."


    Monica blinked. "I didn''t order anything. You sure it''s for me?"


    The nurse nodded. "Yeah, check the phone number on the bag."


    It clicked-Jason had ordered it for her.


    A bowl of yam porridge, a little te of pickles, and a cup of milk tea.


    "Thanks," Monica said, but she didn''t touch any of it.


    She let the porridge get cold, the milk tea fukewarm. Only when


    everything was practically r


    temperature did she finally force herself to eat.


    The next morning.


    Anastasia swept into the hospital with breakfast in hand, eyeing Monica. "So,


    what happenedst night? Did you two patch things up?"


    "We broke up," Monica said, her voice t.


    Anastasia''s eyes widened. "You broke up with him?"


    Monica nodded, jaw clenched. "Yeah.


    eithermatever. There''s alwa


    someone better out there, right?"


    bet


    Anastasia shot her a look. "You''re just mad at yourself. How did Jason react? He


    didn''t just let you go, did he?"