I looked at Selena expressionlessly, asking for her choice.


    She stayed silent, eyes on herptop. I didn''t mind and found a ce to sit, picking up the remote to watch something by myself.


    It felt like there was something different about her, though I couldn''t quite say what. She seemed like the same Selena I knew, yet not. But people wereplicated and strange creatures, after all.


    The movie ended. I was still trying to piece together the plot and make sense of the case when Selena interrupted my train of thought.


    She tapped thest key, closed herptop, and looked at me with a cold,posed gaze. "Hudson, do you really have no feelings for me at all?"


    I knew I could no longer dodge or brush off this question.


    "Maybe I did once, but now..." I sighed and didn''t finish the sentence. I knew she would understand what I meant.


    She was silent for a while, then forced a smile. "People say you can never force anyone to love you. If that''s the case..." There was another pause. My heart leaped with excitement.


    If Selena would just let me go without Zion''s approval, I could buy a ne ticket back to Carzonia immediately.


    It had been so long since Ist saw Sylvia. I had no idea how she was doing or whether she had been taking care of herself while I was gone.


    I felt ted, but what Selena said after that shattered my hopes.


    "I think I''ll choose to stay in the hospital," she said with a sly smile.


    From her expression, it was obvious she was saying it just to spite me, and I became angry. "Why, Selena? Feelings can''t be forced. There''s no going back for us. Letting me leave would be better for both of us."


    My anger grew. This whole situation was pointless. Staying here with Selena didn''t only disrupt my work but also my future.


    "Why?" Sheughed coldly, meeting my gaze with a smug smile. "I can''t force you


    to love me, but I will do all I can to make you stay with me for now.


    "Hudson, you''re staying right here. Once I get bored, I''ll let you go."


    Those familiar words infuriated me.


    I looked at the remote in my hand and took a deep breath, but couldn''t stop myself and hurled it to the floor.


    The loud crash shattered the remote into pieces, scattering it across the room. Hearing the noise, Zion rushed in.


    Seeing the broken remote and my anger, Zion was startled but quickly became furious.


    He pointed at me and scolded, "Hudson, what''s your problem? What did that remote ever do to you? And this isn''t even your stuff! What gives you the right to break it? Who do you think you are?"


    I was already fuming with anger after Selena''s little stunt, so his scolding only pushed me to my edge.


    "I don''t need anyone''s permission. I''ll break whatever I want. It''s not like I can''t afford to rece it."


    Zion was shocked, though he quickly tried to regain hisposure, looking at me in frustration.


    I turned to Selena. There was no joy on her face. As if to further provoke me, she put on a triumphant smile like a proud victor.


    "There''s nothing to fear in taking your own life. If Selena can do it, then so can I." I said.