The hospital was quiet, as though holding its breath with the rest of them, waiting for Vicky to wake.
Cinthia's phone buzzed. She rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Oh God… this good-for-nothing guy is only sending my videos now!" she exclaimed.
"Oh? The one from the business event?" Catty asked, curious.
"Yeah. I'll post them when I get home," Cinthia said, scrolling through her gallery.
"Can I see them?"
"Sure. I loved the dance part—it's so awesome. People are already going wild over it."
"Hm… can't wait to see it." Catty smiled as she reached for the phone.
Just then, Ruben approached Cinthia quietly.
"Hey… can I talk to you for a sec?" he asked, voice low.
Cinthia handed her phone to Catty without a thought.
"If your girlfriend finds us… she might not make it," she muttered with a smirk.
"I trust her. She's strong," Ruben replied.
That answer struck something cold in Cinthia.
"I didn't call you here to talk about Vicky," she said, folding her arms. "I just wanted to say… thank you."
"Thank you?" she echoed.
"You stayed up all night… for me?" Ruben asked.
"I lied." Her voice was blunt. "I just needed help editing my event footage. I was tired. Slept in your room. That's all. You have a girlfriend now, Ruben. I'm not supposed to worry about you anymore."
Ruben looked like he might say something—maybe even apologize—but instead, his face hardened.
"Yeah… got it," he said. "But your lie made me believe the impossible."
Then, without another word, he walked away the moment he spotted Evan in the hallway.
Back on the bench, Catty chuckled softly as she watched one of the dance clips. Her amusement froze as a notification popped up on Cinthia's socials.
"Nathan and his wife made the business event unforgettable."
Catty's eyes narrowed.
"Nathan and his what? This is the girl Grandma met at the mall… what the hell is she doing with my husband?" she muttered.
---
Meanwhile, Ruben met up with Evan near the nurses' station.
"Where's Vicky?" Evan asked with worry.
"She's stable… but still unconscious."
"What happened to her?"
"I don't know. My boss brought her in. She has an injured hand too."
"Can I see her?"
"No one's allowed in, but… you can peek," Ruben said.
Evan quietly made his way to the room and looked through the glass at his sister's fragile form. His throat tightened.
---
Back in Nathan's cabin, a nurse entered with a tray full of food. Catty followed her eyes to the bags.
"Here, sir," the nurse said.
"Yes… when she wakes, give her this. She didn't eat last night," Nathan replied. "Make sure she eats."
"Of course, Sir."
As the nurse left, Catty stepped in.
"You really care about that girl, huh?" she asked with folded arms.
"Love?" Nathan smirked. "She's going to plan our union. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens."
Catty blinked, taken aback by his words… yet giddy.
"You're saying this now?"
"I really want us married. Don't you want that?"
"I do… I really do," she said, eyes brightening.
"Then Vicky must get well… so she can unite us."
That put a strange twist in her smile. She quickly tried to regain control.
"I was thinking," she said, "since we're skipping traditional weddings and rituals, maybe we invite my parents for dinner tonight. We can discuss a few things—maybe even design our rings?"
Nathan furrowed his brow. "Wait… dinner with your parents tonight? But aren't they still abroad?"
Catty's eyes flickered.
"Um… yeah, they were, but they just called! My dad called. They're back now."
Nathan paused, watching her a moment longer.
"Alright. Invite them. I'm all yours until we're engaged."
"You're serious? What happened to you last night?" she asked playfully.
"Nothing. Maybe I just needed to see you."
"I want us to get our rings today. During dinner?" she suggested, clinging to the idea.
Nathan sighed. "Mmm. Okay. Anything for my lady."
"Thanks, babe—"
"Ugh. Can you not call me that?" Nathan snapped. "Call me Nathan. Or Nate. I really can't stand those manipulative nicknames."
"Oh… Nate is even sexier," Catty purred, trying to save the mood.
---
Evan stood outside Vicky's room, teary-eyed as he stared at her pale face through the glass.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered.
Ruben came beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I've got to get to school. I'm already late," Evan said, wiping his eyes. "Please give her this food when she wakes up."
"I will. Don't worry."
As Evan turned, he froze—Monica was standing behind him, arms crossed.
"You?" she said coolly.
"Hey…" Evan mumbled, startled.
"What are you doing here?"
"I… I…"
Ruben jumped in.
"He's Vicky's brother. Just brought food. He's leaving for school, right bro?"
Evan nodded quickly.
Monica's demeanor softened.
"Don't worry. She's in my hands now."
"I trust you," Evan said, then turned and left with Ruben.
Monica watched Evan go, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
---
Moments later, Vicky stirred. The nurse was quick to her side.
"Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Confused," Vicky said. "Am I sick?"
"No. You just passed out. Any pain?"
"Nah… I'm fine. How'd I get here?"
As she tried to recall, fragments slammed into her memory.
The Boss's house. The hospital-like room. The accident. The fire. The chase.
It all came flooding back.
Suddenly alert, Vicky tore off the blanket and swung her legs off the bed.