Chapter 257: Hugging
After some back-and-forth, the two sidekicks headed to the hotel to grab the luggage, while Brad and I took Jenny straight to the rehab center to get her checked in.
Of course, someone had to handle the paperwork. Brad wheeled Jenny to the ward while I went to pay the fees.
Man, I don't know what was up with that day, but the line was crazy long. Took forever, but I finally got the admission stuff sorted and then hustled over to find Brad.
The ward was on the ground floor, way over on the sunny side. It was bright, with a little garden outside. You could see flowers and plants from the window. Pretty sweet spot, actually.
I opened the door and stepped in. The room was pretty spacious, with a hospital bed, a companion bed, a sofa, a TV, a fridge, and all sorts of amenities, including a private bathroom and kitchen. Felt kinda homey, to be honest.
But weirdly, no one was there. Where'd they go?
I looked around, worried I might've walked into the wrong room. Then I heard some faint voices coming from the closed balcony.
Every now and then, there was a deep, magnetic male voice and a soft female voice that sounded like she was crying. Yep, it was Brad and Jenny.
I was only gone for a bit, and they were already out on the balcony having a heart-to-heart. Who wouldn't think something was up?
I snuck closer to eavesdrop.
"Miss Jenny, you saved me, and I'm grateful. I can repay you in any way, except for love and the position of a wife. The person I love has always been Jane. I hope you get that and stop doing pointless stuff. Focus on your rehab and get better. That's what I want to see the most."
Jenny's voice was all pitiful and tearful, "Brad, I just love you. Is that so wrong? Why can't you give me a chance? Just 'cause I met you later? I won't mess up your relationship. Just give me a fair shot. Can't you even grant me that?"
"From the day Jane was born, she's been a part of my life. It's not about time; we're inseparable. She doesn't need to compete. As long as she wants, everything I have is hers."
"Inseparable, huh? Guess I’ll never have a chance, right? I get it, Brad. I know love can't be forced. I'll cooperate with the treatment and get better, not to trouble you. But can you promise me one thing, just one thing, as a favor?"
Brad thought for a moment and said, "As long as it's something I can do and doesn't go against morals, tell me."
"I know being here makes it hard to see you again. I don't want anything else, just you. At this moment of parting, can you hug me? Just like you hug her, just once, even if it's only for a minute. That way, I can fool myself into thinking I once had you and have more confidence to face the pain of rehab."
Jenny's voice was all pitiful, making such a humble request for a hug. But the guy she was asking had a girlfriend, making her request seem cheap no matter how sad she sounded.
She was using the most dignified reason to do the most morally questionable thing.
I was fuming. She couldn't get love, so now she was asking for a hug, pulling all sorts of tricks.
Jenny's shamelessness blew my mind.
Unfortunately, Brad was never gonna go for her request.
Her wishes were doomed from the start.
"Miss Jenny, the hugs between Jane and me are something only lovers share. Our relationship isn't right for that. So, I'm sorry, I can't do it. Also, Miss Jenny, there are plenty of great guys out there. Why focus just on me?"
"I don't want to, but I can't help it. When love hits, I can't fight it." Jenny cried even harder.
"Sorry," Brad said in a deep voice.
The conversation stopped, leaving only Jenny's muffled sobs on the balcony—so full of disappointment and helplessness. Even as a girl, I felt a bit soft-hearted hearing her cry.
It got quiet inside. I'd been squatting for so long my legs were starting to ache. I wanted to peek through the glass to see if they hugged, but I lost my balance and bumped into the balcony door, pushing it open.
And there I was, in a super awkward position.
I was squatting on the ground, one hand reaching forward trying to pull the door back, and the other hand braced against the ground to keep from falling over.
Brad was leaning against the concrete railing, with a mischievous look on his face, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Jenny was sitting in her wheelchair, looking up with big tearful eyes, full of affection. When she saw me suddenly appear, her affection turned to panic, mixed with some indescribable emotions, like anger and resentment.
"I heard someone talking and thought there was a thief in the ward. It's okay, it's okay. Did I interrupt your hug? Need a goodbye kiss? If you need, I can step out." I rubbed my ankle and laughed awkwardly, hating this bad woman in my heart.
Interrupting someone's confession was pretty rude, but it wasn't my intention. It was just super awkward. Yet seeing someone openly coveting my boyfriend, I had to say something.
Jenny's face immediately went pale, even her lips lost color. The admiration and longing in her eyes completely turned into resentment, like she wanted to kill me.
Brad's expression got serious. He shot me a warning glance, probably telling me to shut up, which made me cover my mouth with my hand.
I stood up, stretching my numb legs, and took a couple of steps back. I was wondering if I should run out crying like in a drama, making Brad leave Jenny behind and chase after me. But Brad acted before I could.
He grabbed my wrist, stopping any chance of escape. "Miss Jenny, I've said everything I needed to say. Your body is your own, whether to cherish it or not is your choice. I can't repay your life-saving grace. What I can do is cover all your medical expenses, and after you recover, I'll give you some money as compensation. If there's anything else I can help with, I will. But love, I can't give. If you think I'm ungrateful because of this, so be it."
Jenny lowered her eyes, staring at our clasped hands, biting her lip. She looked pained and desperate, tears flowing heavily.
After Brad finished speaking, he didn't look at her again, but held my hand and left.
As we opened the door and left, the two people guarding the door went in. Behind them followed an older and a younger woman, each carrying several bags and walking hurriedly. I had no clue what they were there for.
Out of the ward, the empty corridor echoed with Brad's strong footsteps. The coldness he had in the ward gradually faded as we walked away, but his face still looked super angry, making me scared.
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