Echoes of Unrequited Love

I handed her a napkin at the right moment, and as my gaze swept across Cecilia, I noticed the unmistakable surprise in her eyes.

1 quietly averted my eyes, with apology, I said, “Sorry, Director Irwin, I totally forgot to mention it to you before I made the soup, and it’s caused such a big misunderstanding.”

Despite her nervousness, with her fingers tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, Cecilia endeavored to respond, “No, it’s alright. It was my oversight.”

“Enough,” Hilary suddenly jumped in, “Look at you, all spineless. You even called Hogan over. What, are you afraid I will eat you?” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Hearing this, Cecilia grew even more flustered and quickly tried to explain, “I didn’t, I

mean…”

Hilary cut off Cecilia’s words, waving her hand dismissively, “I do want to see how Cecilia would take care of me.”

As soon as Hilary finished, Cecilia’s tears started to flow, pitter–pattering down her face.

Hogan’s brows furrowed at the sight, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by a sharp look from Hilary, “You may leave first. I’ve got a few words for Xaviera.”

Cecilia left the hospital room filled with frustration, trailing behind Hogan.

After hanging around for a bit, I excused myself and left.

When I got back to the regular ward and saw Jason already asleep, the unease in my chest finally settled a bit.

Staring at the slight dampness on my palms, I felt a sudden chill.

Outside in Rivertown, the temperature had already dipped to five or six degrees below

zero.

Suddenly, I thought to myself, betrayal wasn’t that hard.

It took me a while before I finally dragged myself out of the room and headed for the parking lot.

But I hadn’t even reached the car when I saw Hogan smoking by a column not far away.

Oblivious to my presence, he took a deep drag and slowly exhaled, the smoke swirling around his face, casting a melancholic veil over his features.

I wondered, was he agonizing over his complex family relationships?

I remembered how he looked leading Cecilia out of the room and discreetly turned away.

But I had barely turned around when I heard his deep voice from behind me, “If you were

05 50

so eager to help, why did you change your mind?”

I stopped in my tracks, slowly turning around, and after a brief eye contact with Hogan, I saw a hint of mockery in his gaze.

Taking a deep breath, I answered his question with another, “Mr. Zade is so intelligent, can you guess why?”

Hogan looked at me, irritation flashing across his eyes, “What, feeling guilty?”

I let out a cold chortle, dismissing his words, “Guilty about what?”

“Weren’t you the one who advised Cecilia to please Hilary in this manner, and now you’re backing out?”

I gazed at Hogan, trying to find an answer in his expression.

But his look was too calm, so composed it gave nothing away.

I softly replied, “It has nothing to do with me, I have no need to worry about such matters, Mr. Zade, you’re overthinking.”

Saying that, I turned around to leave.

I had barely taken a step when I heard his voice rise, “Ms. March, do you dare accept responsibility, wasn’t it you who personally gave Cecilia that guide on how to please Hilary?”