Anxiously, Leni peered at her phone, her thumb hovering uncertainly over the screen. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she barely noticed Hannah’s soft touch as she joined her on the seat.


    “The doctor reassured us that Ethan will be fine, Lani. Why are you worried?” Hannah’s calm voice broke through the fog of Leni’s thoughts.


    In that moment, Leni realized that she had been lost in her mind for far too long. She took in her surroundings in the hospital lobby and forced a weak smile in Hannah’s direction.


    “It’s not about Ethan, Hannah. It’s about Jones,” she confessed.


    At once, confusion etched itself onto Hannah’s face. “Jones? Your ex-boyfriend?” she asked, seeking confirmation from Leni.


    Leni nodded, her expression grim.


    “But how? He broke up with you a long time ago, so what could possibly be going on?” Hannah’s bafflement was evident.


    Leni let out a small sigh and turned back to her phone. The truth was, she didn’t even know how to properly exin the situation to Hannah. She was well aware of Hannah’s disdain for Jones, and she didn’t want to upset her further.


    However, she knew she had to tell her. Hannah was her best friend, the one person she could always confide in. She never held back anything from her.


    And so, Leni began to recount everything. She started with how she had unexpectedly run into Jones at the mall a few weeks ago, and how Nelson had suddenly intervened and warned Jones to stay away from her.


    Leni held nothing back as she patiently narrated the entire incident to Hannah, whose expression had grown increasingly tense as she listened.


    “So, if I understand this correctly, Lani, you’re worried because Jones didn’t secure the contract?” Hannah asked pointedly, her gaze suspiciously fixed on Leni.


    “Of course, Hannah. Why wouldn’t I be worried? It’s all my fault, and I can’t even reach him to fix things. It’s driving me insane,” Leni blurted out, her frustration evident in her words and her demeanor.


    “Lani!” Hannah’s voice came out low but sharp as she repositioned herself on the seat, facing Leni squarely.


    “Do not inform me that you are once again sumbing to feelings of adoration towards that guy? Now that I think about it, Mr. Carter requested that you inform Jones of your inability to persuade him, an issue he would handle himself,” inquired Hannah.


    Leni paused, moistened her lower lip, and proceeded to divulge, “In actuality, he was testing the depth of our affection for one another. I assured him that Jones could let go of the contract because of me. He would undoubtedly do so in order to reim my love.”


    Before Leni could finish speaking, Hannah erupted into a bout of hystericalughter. Despite her attempts to contain it, she could not, instead surrendering to the hysterics.


    At this moment, Leni was ovee with shame at her actions and the fact that she had boasted in front of Nelson made it all the more unbearable.


    “When did you be this way, my best friend? Do you truly trust Jones to such a degree?” inquired Hannah, herughter slowly subsiding.


    Leni remained silent.


    “Wait a moment, Lani. Are you in love with Jones once again? Have you truly fallen for him once more? Will he once again break your heart with the same excuse of being unable to bear your ill-mannered behavior?” Hannah’s tone turned serious as she gripped Leni’s hands tightly.


    “I am not in love with him. I merely sought to use him as a distraction, you wouldn’t understand,” retorted Leni, matching Hannah’s tone as she withdrew her hands from her friend’s grasp.


    An awkward silence settled between them, neither one making an effort to break it as they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, almost as if they were reading each other’s thoughts.


    Realizing that Hannah had likely seen through her intentions, Leni quickly averted her gaze and attempted to appear stern.


    “You sought to use him as a distraction because you are in love with NELSON CARTER!” eximed Hannah, her eyes widening with excitement.


    “God forbid! Stop talking nonsense, Hannah. W-what are you even saying?” objected Leni, her face turning a deep shade of red.


    “Whoa,” Hannah gasped, covering her mouth in amazement. “You must see the expression on your face, Lani. You are truly in love with your husband. Like for real, Lani,”


    “Damn you!” Leni silently cursed before muffling Hannah’s voice to avoid any conversation.


    “Stay quiet, Hannah. We are in a medical facility.”


    Grinning broadly, Hannah released her mouth from Leni’s grip and hastily questioned, “Then tell me, Best. Do you truly love him? Nelson Carter?”


    “No, I do not, you fool!” Leni eximed, “He’s not someone I can love. I am far above his league and I am not worthy of him. Moreover, he despises me and derives pleasure from my distress,” she struggled to hold back tears, refusing to sumb to her emotions.


    Hannah’s demeanor turned serious at once. She could discern that her friend was undeniably in love with Nelson, but denial was her defense mechanism since someone like Nelson would never return her affections.


    “I’m sorry, dear,” Hannah cajoled, encircling her with her arms and offeringfort.


    “It’s alright, Lani. Don’t cry.”


    “I am certain that once the contract marriage concludes, your feelings for him will dissipate as well. I assure you,” Hannah reassured her in a soothing tone.


    Leni sobbed harder, clutching her chest as if to ease the deep ache resonating within.


    She refused to believe that she was madly in love with her so-called husband-who seemed to act more like a roommate.


    “It’s fine, Lani. Today is a significant asion for you and Ethan, and any tears shed should only be of joy,” Hannah persisted in her effort tofort her.


    Two hours had passed.


    The two friends strolled into the lobby hand in hand, carrying disposable paper cups in their spare hands.


    They chatted andughed, with Hannah sessfully lifting Leni’s despondent mood.


    Now she looked optimistic as she listened to Hannah’s story about a co-worker who was stalking her.


    Beaming, Leni took arge sip of her coffee when she spotted the two doctors assigned to Ethan and several nurses heading their way.


    She jumped to her feet and walked towards them. Putting aside her smile, she anxiously inquired, “How did the surgery go, doctors?


    “How is my brother?” Leni inquired anxiously. “Is he alright?”


    The Doctors exchanged a smile, one of them responding, “Miss, your brother is in perfect health. I am pleased to inform you that the surgery was a sess.”


    “Does that mean Ethan will be able to walk now?” Hannah asked, standing beside Leni.


    The second Doctor nodded, “Yes. He is currently in the ICU and will be discharged in two weeks. By then, he will have regained his bnce.”


    Excitement bubbled within the two friends as they screamed and embraced each other, whirling around in joy. The Doctors and their team shared a smile amongst themselves before leaving the friends to their celebrations.


    Leni returned homete in the evening, having waited for Ethan to wake up before being informed that he would be conscious the following day. Hannah had left earlier to resume her work shift but promised to be at the hospital before Leni the next morning.


    Feeling tired, Leni climbed the stairs to their room and was surprised to find that Nelson was not on the bed. She checked the dressing room and bathroom, but there was no sign of him or any noise.


    Her drowsy eyes snapped open, and she became agitated as anxious thoughts filled her mind. Did he get into an ident? Was he taken to the hospital? Did something happen at work?


    Without realizing, she grabbed her phone and began calling Nelson, muttering frantically to herself as she paced around the room.


    “Why aren’t you picking up?” she eximed, her worry increasing when there was no answer.


    She called again immediately, mumbling uneasy words under her breath.


    “Why do you keep calling?” Nelson’s sudden voice made Leni flinch. She turned and saw himing from the terrace.


    ‘Oh my God, he was there this whole time?’she thought to herself, feeling relieved but also frustrated. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’


    Mentally questioning herself, she balled her hands into fists, consumed by anger for unnecessarily causing worry.


    “Why did you call my phone twice?” Nelson repeated, casually strolling over to Leni’s side.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Avoiding his gaze, Leni gulped and tried toe up with a usible excuse. She couldn’t possibly tell him that she was worried he may have been involved in an ident.


    The closer Nelson got, the further she retreated until she was pressed against a cold wall, leaving no space behind her.


    Their eyes locked, Leni’s drowning in the deep ocean of his blue orbs.


    She felt his face approaching hers and tensed up, her eyes closing involuntarily.


    Her heart raced in her chest as his warm breath tickled her skin, signaling his proximity.


    Unexpectedly, she heard his voice once again.


    “Why are your eyes closed?” he asked softly.