Chapter 47 Reluctant to Part
First time in this hospital, so I got lost wandering around the ward before finding the restroom.
Just as I was about to open the door, I overheard a conversation in the smoking room next door. Their voices were loud enough to hear clearly.
"Why aren't you pretending anymore? Feeling hurt?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah, I can't bear it," Brad replied.
Jenny said, "I didn't expect this from you... but never mind. Take care of Jane. If you need help, come to me. Maybe not as a lover, but at least as a friend."
Brad smiled, "Of course, thanks for your help."
Jenny walked out, saw me at the restroom door, then glanced back at Brad with a meaningful smile.
Hearing Jenny and Brad couldn't be lovers made me secretly happy.
But I didn't get what they meant by not pretending and can't bear it.
I kind of hated myself for missing the earlier part of their conversation.
"Need the restroom? Go ahead, I'll wait," Brad said.
Back in the ward, I insisted on being discharged.
Brad took me to the doctor, but the doctor said I was quite ill, with an inflamed throat, and needed two more days of observation.
I pouted and sulked under the covers.
This doctor was the worst. I wanted Brad to take me out for some good food, but now that was off the table.
After Brad coaxed me for a while, I finally poked my head out but still didn't want to talk.
Brad indulged my tantrum, sitting beside me and peeling an apple.
I suddenly remembered when I was hospitalized after falling off a cliff during summer vacation. I had hoped that person would visit, even just as a friend. I just wanted his attention.
I used to dream of waking up to Daniel slicing an apple for me, the sunlight hitting him like a divine spotlight.
But he never came.
Today, lying in a hospital bed again, I had given up and was ready to be alone, but Brad showed up, stayed with me, and promised never to leave. I was so happy.
He sat in the sunlight, seriously peeling an apple for me. The rising sun cast him in a godlike glow.
"Jane, have a piece of apple."
"I don't want an apple, I want meat," I said.
"Jane, be good. Apples boost immunity and are good for your health. You haven't been eating well, so you need nutrition but can't eat greasy food. Open your mouth, I'll feed you."
Charmed by Brad's gentleness, I opened my mouth and took the apple, chewing slowly. The sweet and sour taste spread in my mouth, and my cheeks felt hot.
Not daring to meet Brad's eyes, I looked around nervously, making Brad chuckle.
"Wow, such deep affection. Did we come at a bad time?" James said, as sharp-tongued as ever.
He walked in wearing a short jacket, followed by a group of people, including some guys who had been missing for six days, and also Mia and Isabella.
"Brad, I haven't eaten well either. I need some nutrition too. Feed me!" Matthew said, swaying his hips and giving Brad a flirtatious look. Amused and annoyed, Brad stood up and gave him a playful kick, sending him against the wall.
I laughed too. Even though I knew Brad's kindness was just brotherly, I shyly pulled the covers over myself to avoid their teasing.
I thought, 'If Brad could always be this good to me, I'd be so happy.'
But I knew it was impossible. Brad wasn't young anymore; he'd soon have a real girlfriend, get married, and have kids.
By then, I wouldn't be his most cherished girl anymore.
But that was for the future. For now, Brad still cherished me the most, and I was content with that. When Brad found his true love, I'd treat my sister-in-law well.
Mia didn't care about my embarrassment. She lifted the covers, exposing me, "So, you got yourself sick and now you think you can make us all visit you?"
I noticed the small cabinet by the bed was piled with snacks and fruits, all brought by them, and I liked every single one.
"I didn't want to get sick. How can you blame me?" I angrily pulled the covers back.
'What happened to roommate loyalty? Exposing your roommate's secrets?' I thought.
"Who else can we blame? You stand in the cold wind for hours every day. Even a tough guy would catch a cold, let alone you with those scrawny limbs. And to top it off, there's another guy right beside you, not even bothering to talk some sense into you."
Mia rolled her eyes dramatically. Just as I was about to ask who she meant, Benjamin dragged her to another bed, and they started whispering sweet nothings.
The question I wanted to ask got stuck in my throat.
Isabella sat casually at the foot of my bed, squinting at me, "So, have you finally figured it out? Do you know what you did wrong?"
"Yeah, Brad told me. I shouldn't have passed messages around. Brad will choose his future girlfriend himself," I replied.
As soon as I said that, the cheerful atmosphere turned awkward. Several smiling faces froze like masks.
'Did I say something wrong again? Why is everyone looking at me?' I instinctively looked at Brad, only to see his smile stiffen for a moment and then return to its usual gentle expression.
Mia and Isabella gave me looks that said I was hopeless, making me so angry that my liver hurt. I buried myself under the covers, refusing to deal with them.
They were always like this. I admitted I wasn't as smart as they were and couldn't understand many things, so they called me a natural airhead. But what could I do? As sisters, they could just tell me directly when I did something wrong. Why did they always make me guess?
Last time, they all knew why Brad was mad, but they only scolded me, causing Brad and me not to see each other for days. If someone had told me earlier, I would have tried my best to explain to Brad.
They wouldn't tell me this time either. I'd just ask Brad directly. At least this time, Brad wasn't ignoring me.
Later, I really did ask Brad. At that time, Brad was tying the laces on the new white shoes he bought for me. He sat in the sunset, bathed in golden light, and his long fingers skillfully tied the laces into a beautiful bow. He said, "It's nothing. I'm not mad at you. You're still young; you'll understand in the future."
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