"What is it that you really want?" Selena asked as she took a deep breath. She was clearly flustered.


    "Nothing much. I just want my freedom back," I replied coldly.


    She looked visibly frustrated by my answer. She took several deep breaths before muttering angrily, "What can I do so that you won''t leave me?"


    I wanted to leave, and she wanted me to stay. We were in a deadlock situation.


    With no other choice, I decided to make a small concession. "Then at the very least, let me have my phone. Give me some way tomunicate with the outside world. Being cooped up in this hospital all the time is really getting on my nerves."


    I tried to keep my tone calm, but I was still feeling angry, and my tone showed that.


    Selena hadn''t expected me to be so insistent. After a moment''s silence, she reluctantly nodded.


    "Fine, I''ll give you your phone," she said.


    She looked at Zion, took a deep breath, and said, "But on one condition. You must promise me that you won''t leave until I''m fully recovered. No matter what."


    I didn''t want to agree, but I had no choice.


    "Zion, give him the phone."


    It was clear now. If I could get Selena to bend, Zion would be just a nobody.


    Seeing that Zion had taken out the phone, I looked at Selena, and as if thinking of something else, I said, "Wait. I have one more condition."


    "What''s with all these conditions?" Zion snapped. As he was about to scold me, Selena shut him up. She looked at me and heaved a resigned sigh, nodding for me to go on.


    ncing around, I took the phone from her and quickly checked for a signal. It was all alright.


    I gulped and then looked back at them calmly. "I need freedom of movement. You can have someone follow me if it makes you feel better, but you can''t restrict my movement."


    Selena hesitated, then nodded. "Fine, I''ll allow you some freedom, but you''re only allowed to move around near the hospital. You aren''t allowed to go too far. Hudson, it''s not that I don''t trust you, but I can''t bet that you won''t sneak away."


    She looked at me withplex emotions in her gaze. Her lips were pressed together as if there was more she wanted to say but couldn''t bring herself to.


    Seeing her relent to this extent, I knew I couldn''t push her further, so I just nodded.


    Once I agreed, she looked calm, although the color on her face was slightly drained and pale. "I still have work to handle. Both of you, please leave," she said weakly.


    Zion shot me a fierce re but turned and walked out.


    I wandered around the hospital. It was a big ce, yet strangely empty. Most of the patients seemed to stay inside, rarelying out to enjoy the sunlight or do some exercise.


    I felt sadness for them when I thought of that. They chose thefort of their rooms over the simple joys of nature.


    Checking the time on my phone, I hesitated but finally logged in and contacted Sylvia. It took several tries before she finally picked up the video call.