Chapter 13

“He’s just lying in a hospital bed, how did the IV drip get dislodged?”

The nurse came to re-insert Ryder’s IV, then, still worried, reminded him,

“No more moving around, okay? You only have one more bag left.”

Ryder nodded calmly.

It was me, sitting beside him, who rubbed my burning ears.

After the nurse left, I apologized softly: “…I’m sorry.”

I’d been so caught up in the kiss that I'd pressed on Ryder’s arm, dislodging the IV needle. Blood had stained the entire adhesive patch red.

He glanced at me: “No need to apologize.”

“So, do you believe me now?”

“Depends on your performance.”

Despite his words, his tone had already softened slightly.

Near the end of the month, Ryder went to a neighboring city for a business trip.

Even though I was back at university for classes, I made sure to text him whenever I could.

I was actively proving to him that he was the only one in my heart.

Ryder’s birthday was approaching. That afternoon, I wanted to go to the mall to pick out a gift for him.

Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

It was Julian.

Because of the harsh words exchanged at the hospital that day, he hadn’t contacted me in days.

I was actually happy about the reprieve.

But now, during what should have been a busy time at his studio, he was walking into a garden restaurant with a young man.

My heart tightened, and I hurried forward a few steps.

The moment I entered, the man happened to look up.

It was like a lightning bolt struck me, and I froze.

This man… wasn’t he Marcus, the one who, in my previous life, had partnered with Julian to ruin Ryder and the Montgomery family?