Chapter 2

I sigh, slowly swinging my legs over the side of the hospital bed. A dizzy spell washes over me, and I hold onto the metal rod that carries my I.V. bag to steady myself. I take a deep breath and open my eyes, slowly staggering out of the hospital room.

I cling to the wall, walking toward Clara’s hospital room, phone in hand.

At the same time, I swipe out of the app and open a tracking one. Because Adrian is so busy and can’t always be there for me, I created a program to track his whereabouts. It is my little secret—one no one knows, not even Adrian.

My eyes immediately lock onto Adrian’s name and bubble. He is moving in the direction of the hospital. My heart swells, a smile growing on my face.

Perhaps he is trying to keep it a secret from his assistant, planning to give me a special surprise. Maybe he does care about me after all. He’s finally coming to see me, his wife, right? Yes!

Ten years ago, when Adrian and I were neighbors, I fell in love with him. He was the only person in the neighborhood who treated me with kindness while my family treated me like an afterthought. I sincerely hope he has finally realized that I’m here.

I take my phone out and watch Adrian’s dot enter the hospital. Looking up, Adrian bursts through the hallway doors. I quickly fix my appearance, ready to accept him in my open arms, when he suddenly dips inside Clara’s hospital room.

Disappointment strikes my heart, a million questions itching at the back of my brain. My palms grow clammy. The hope I once felt for Adrian to love me begins to shrivel, slowly withering away piece by piece.

Is he not here for me? Why else would he be at the hospital?

My mouth goes dry. I blink at nothing, arms empty, slowly turning to see Adrian embrace Clara from her hospital bed. Inching inside, I remain in the background, watching as Clara’s body moves.

She is awake from her five-year coma.

Her eyes remain closed, chin tucked on his shoulder. They sway back and forth. Their whispers are mere murmurs to me, unable to decipher what they’re saying.

They look so intimate with each other.