Chapter 4
After speaking, I made my way around them and returned to my room. Sitting on the bed, I adjusted my injured leg and rolled up my sleeve. My arm was a painful shade of purple from the cold, yet I was numb to the pain. As I searched for the frostbite ointment, Xavier walked in.
He knelt in front of me, lifting my arm with concern etched on his face. “Phoenix, last time you were in the hospital, it was because of your hand, right? How did it get this bad?”
I looked down and responded calmly, “I fractured my leg, not my hand. Didn't you notice when you signed the hospital documents?”
Besides, my cast-covered leg had been obvious the entire time.
“What documents? I didn’t sign anything.”
So any warmth I thought I detected was just my imagination.
“Never mind, just go. I need to rest.”
I tried to push Xavier away, but he pulled me into his embrace. As my leg twisted, the sudden pain made me scream, yet Xavier seemed oblivious, repeatedly apologizing.
“Phoenix, are you upset because of the rumors about me and Selena? Please, believe me, I still love you.”
“I’ve just been keeping her around to throw off the paparazzi. You’re not mad, right?”
He looked so sad, as if he were the one who had been wronged.
All I wanted was for him to leave. I kept insisting I was fine, trying to reassure him.
Still, Xavier seemed doubtful. He buried his face into my shoulder, asking again.
“Really? Phoenix, do you believe me?”
“Really, if you haven’t done anything to betray me, why would I be angry?”
Xavier finally stood up and patted my head. “I knew it. I love you so much; you understand that, right?”
Before exiting the room, he glanced back. “Phoenix, my latest album is doing well. Make sure to promote it.”
I laughed bitterly to myself. After the way he's treated me, he still expects my support? No chance.
As soon as he left, I felt nauseated. Was any of his affection genuine, or was it all just a charade?
It took a while for me to calm down, waiting for the pain in my leg to subside before carefully making my way to the bathroom. With my leg in a cast, I had to keep it dry, so I rested it on a stool while I cleaned up as best I could. Ten strenuous minutes later, I managed to rinse off.
Just as I was reaching for the shower gel, there was insistent knocking on the bathroom door.
“Phoenix, it’s almost one o’clock. Can’t you hurry up? Selena needs her beauty sleep. How will she manage tomorrow if you keep this up?”
The inconvenience of my injury had already worn me thin, and Xavier's words were the final straw.
I stopped my routine, dried off, and quickly dressed. “I won’t bother you two anymore. I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”
Xavier seemed as if he wanted to stop me, but a soft call from Selena drew him back.
I wrapped myself in a heavy coat, placed the contract termination papers on the living room table, and left as quickly as I could manage.
If they’re so troubled by my presence, they shouldn't expect me to return.