Vivian, who had spent her entire life exuding arrogance and unwavering confidence, refused to back down so easily. With a smirk that barely concealed her irritation, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and let out a soft chuckle.
“Well, George,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, “it seems we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. I’ll be your classmate when you return to school, so… see you then.” Her words carried an air of nonchalance, but there was an undeniable edge beneath them—an unspoken challenge.
Just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye. A collection of neatly wrapped gifts lay beside Eliana’s chair, the bright packaging contrasting sharply with the sterile hospital room. But what made her pause were the small cards attached to each present, filled with handwritten messages. Curious, her gaze flicked over the words, and for the first time in a long while, something unfamiliar stirred inside her.
It wasn’t envy. It wasn’t irritation. It was something deeper—something she couldn’t quite name.
Vivian’s smirk faltered for the briefest moment before she scoffed at herself and turned on her heel. She exited the hospital room with her usual confident stride, but the nagging feeling lingered.
As she stepped into the cool night air outside the hospital, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number. The line rang twice before Daniel picked up.
“Well, well,” Daniel’s voice came through, laced with amusement. “You’re calling me this late? Don’t tell me you’re already obsessed with George.”
Vivian rolled her eyes, though he couldn’t see it. “Tch. I just wanted to confirm something,” she said smoothly. “You told me he’s the one who defeated you fair and square. So tell me—just how handsome is this guy?”
Daniel chuckled. “That’s what’s on your mind? Well… let’s just say he’s got that ‘effortless charm’ thing going for him. Annoyingly so.” He paused before adding, “But it’s not just his looks, Vivian. He’s got something else—something people gravitate toward. And that’s what makes him dangerous.”
Vivian hummed, tapping her fingers against her phone. “Interesting. That’s exactly why I came back, you know,” she mused, her voice thoughtful. “To make sure my future turns out the way I want it to.”
Daniel let out a low laugh. “So, what? Are you telling me you’re already interested in him?”
There was a beat of silence.
Vivian smirked, but this time, it wasn’t out of arrogance—it was something more complicated. “Who knows?” she said, her voice light, yet carrying a weight even she didn’t fully understand. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
She ended the call before Daniel could pry further, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
As she walked away from the hospital, her mind replayed the way George had looked at Eliana—the warmth in his eyes, the quiet intensity in his voice.
And for the first time in her life, she felt… unsettled.
Just as George and Eliana were about to continue their conversation, the door swung open again—not with the dramatic flair of Vivian’s entrance, but with the calm, measured steps of a doctor.
The elderly man adjusted his glasses as he glanced at the chart in his hands. “Mr. George, I have good news,” he said with a reassuring smile. “Your condition has stabilized. You’re free to go home, but I advise you to take it easy for a few more days. Plenty of rest, no unnecessary stress.”
Eliana let out a small breath of relief. “That’s great news,” she said, smiling at George. “I guess that means I should head home now too.”
As Eliana prepared to leave, George watched her carefully, his mind still trying to catch up with everything that had happened. Just before she reached the door, she took a deep breath and turned to face him.
“George…” Her voice was soft but steady. “Marry me.”
The room fell into silence.
George blinked, stunned. Of all the things he had expected, this wasn’t one of them. His heart pounded in his chest, but before he could say anything, Eliana continued, her gaze unwavering.
“I know it’s sudden, but I don’t see the point in waiting when I already know what I want.”
George swallowed, his throat dry. He wanted to laugh, to tease her for being so bold, but instead, a different question slipped from his lips.
“El… before I answer that, there’s something I need to ask you first.” His voice was lower now, laced with something unreadable. “Are you ready to have children?”
Eliana’s breath hitched. She hadn’t expected that.
Her steps faltered slightly at the doorway, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.
George wasn’t joking. He wasn’t teasing. He was genuinely asking.
His mind spun as he repeated the thought over and over again. My child. Your child. While we’re still in school…
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Is it too early… or too late?” he muttered to himself.
Outside the hospital, Eliana stopped for a brief second, her heart racing. She had expected hesitation, maybe even rejection. But this?
The weight of his words settled over her, heavier than she anticipated.