Chapter 6
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was William.
He looked lost in thought, his eyes red.
The moment he saw me awake, he grabbed my hand.
My hand was freezing cold from the IV, but his was even colder.
“Emberly, the doctor said you scheduled an abortion yesterday. Why?” he asked. “Are you leaving me?”
I pulled my hand away. “Yeah, I’m leaving you.”
His whole body shook as he leaned closer to me. “Why? Is it because of the baby? Or because I made you kneel outside the door?”
His breath brushed against the side of my neck, and I couldn’t see his expression.
85% 18:36
1/6
Chapter 6
“Haven’t you been waiting for Lilah? Isn’t that why you refused to marry me?” I said. “Well, she’s divorced now. You guys can finally be together.”
William straightened up and cupped my face in his hands.
“There’s nothing between me and her, and you know that. Will was like my own brother–what’s wrong with me looking after his sister?”
At the mention of Will, we both went quiet.
Then his face shifted like something had finally clicked.
“Oh, I get it. Me and Lilah–that’s just an excuse, isn’t it? You still can’t let go of Will?” He sneered bitterly. “He’s been dead for over 10 years, and you still can’t forget him?!”
I dropped my gaze, refusing to look at him.
Will was my first love. He was Lilah’s
brother.
85% 18:36
2/6
Chapter 6
He died in a car accident when I was 18.
I had let go of those feelings a long time
ago.
I didn’t expect William to stoop so low as to throw accusations at me.
His voice turned bitter, almost cruel. “So, you never loved me at all, huh?” He shook his head. “You used to call me Will–was it
because of him?”
He was rambling now, his words sharp. “I’m telling you again–he’s dead, Emberly! His body turned to ashes years ago! You have no chance anymore!”
I shoved him hard, my hand flying across his face in a slap that stung my palm.
The IV needle ripped out, and blood
started to flow.
William turned his head to the side, breathing heavily.
Then he ran out.
85% 18:36
3/6
Chapter 6
A nurse came in shortly after to fix the IV.
For the next few days, I didn’t see William. again.
But every morning, a bouquet of lilies would show up, proof he’d been there.
I told the aide to take them away. I didn’t care where.
He never remembered what I liked, never
realized I hated lilies.
They were his first love’s favorite.
When he finally noticed, he switched to
sending tulips instead.
On the day I was almost ready to be discharged, the hospital aide was peeling me an apple.
We started chatting about hospital gossip.
She mentioned a girl downstairs who had twisted her ankle–lucky girl, apparently.
Her boyfriend had been running around, taking care of her like she was a queen.
85% 18:36
4/6
Chapter 6
I didn’t even need to guess. I knew who it
was.
William really thought I’d come running back to him.
I guess he was used to me always being the one to cave first after we had a fight.
But this time, he miscalculated.
I didn’t want anything anymore.
The aide was good at her job, and I’d been well taken care of. So I decided to leave
early.
I handed her a little envelope, and she left the room smiling.
I packed up my clothes without much thought and walked out of the hospital.
Not long after I left, I was told William
came in.
He stared blankly at the empty bed as if frozen in place.
He asked the lady in the bed next to mine.
85% 18:36
5/6
6:36
Chapter 6
She looked
up
from the video clip she was
watching.
“The young girl said she was leaving early to go on a trip. Kids these days, so carefree…”
Before she could even finish, William bolted out of the room, leaving a bowl of soup on the table.
I went home, grabbed only the essentials, and got ready to leave.
Just as I was about to head out the door, it swung open.
William was standing there, breathing hard, one hand gripping the doorframe.
His face darkened when he saw the bag slung over my shoulder.
“You’re not going anywhere!”
85% 18:36
6/6
83
Chapter 6
She looked up from the video clip she was watching.
“The young girl said she was leaving early to go on a trip. Kids these days, so carefree…”
Before she could even finish, William bolted out of the room, leaving a bowl of soup on the table.
I went home, grabbed only the essentials, and got ready to leave.
Just as I was about to head out the door, it
swung open.
William was standing there, breathing hard, one hand gripping the doorframe.
His face darkened when he saw the bag slung over my shoulder.
“You’re not going anywhere!”
