Chapter 1
During the three years I was in a coma, a girl was always with Theo Peay.
Everyone gossiped that he'd moved on.
But only I knew the real reason. He wanted to use that girl's bone marrow to save me.
But when Theo kept postponing my surgery, even I couldn't help but start to doubt him.
It wasn't until I fainted again that he finally said calmly, "Elaine's afraid of pain. I can't bring myself to put her through that.
"But don't worry. I'll find someone else to save you."
Elaine McBride threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Theo didn't even give me a chance to say a word.
He just wrapped his arm around her and walked away.
That day, as I watched him walk away, I quietly whispered goodbye.
*****
After I woke up, Theo rushed over in less than thirty minutes.
Only this time, there was a girl right behind him, her bare feet silent on the floor.
My breath hitched for just a moment, but I quickly composed myself and glanced away.
I forced a smile and said hello to Theo.
He already had red-rimmed eyes. He hugged me tightly, like he was afraid I might vanish if he let go.
His tears trickled down my neck, soaking the neckline of my hospital gown.
The warm, emotional reunion we were supposed to have was shattered by Elaine's crying.
Elaine demanded, "Theo, who is she?"
She jabbed a finger at me, almost possessive and jealous, as if she were confronting her boyfriend about another woman.
I couldn't help but find it a little funny.
Theo wasn't exactly the patient type. Nobody ever dared to talk to him like that.
Elaine's words seemed to snap something in Theo, and before I knew it, he shoved me aside, rougher than he meant to.
Three years in a coma had left my body so weak. He hit my collarbone, which sent a jolt of pain through me.
Theo brushed his hand softly across my cheek, saying in a low voice, "Angela, wait here for a minute. I'll take care of this."
If he'd bothered to really look at me, he would've noticed the smile on my face was long gone.
Elaine wouldn't leave with him. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, biting her lip, her vulnerability on full display.
It made her look even more fragile.
Theo sighed in resignation, his tone far softer than it ever was with me.
He said, "Didn't I tell you to stay home and wait for me?"
When she saw that Theo wasn't angry, Elaine moved closer and gave his chest a light, flirtatious tap, pouting up at him.
Theo wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.
I couldn't make out what Theo was whispering to Elaine, but whatever sweet words he used, a bright smile flickered on her lips.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her out to a bench in the hallway.
Bits and pieces of their conversation drifted in from the hallway, soft and indistinct.
The moment I saw Elaine, I knew exactly who she was.
When I remembered how close Theo had been to her for all those three years, my eyes stung, and a dull ache bloomed in my chest.
It was nearly twenty minutes before Theo finally walked back in.
I never would have guessed the famously cold Theo could hold a conversation for so long.
He must've picked up on my mood, because he leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my lip—right where I'd bitten it from holding back my feelings.
"Are you mad?" he asked softly.
I subconsciously brushed my lips with my fingers, speaking slowly and almost hesitantly.
I told him, "Theo, you don't need to go this far for me."
He cupped my face in his hands, gently wiping away the tears I could only shed in front of him.
His eyes were brimming with deep feeling and a stubborn kind of resolve.
He said, "Angela, I'd do anything to save you—even if it means laying down my life.
"I haven't treated her badly these past three years, so don't go soft on her, alright? Once you recover a little bit, she'll donate her bone marrow to you."
I wanted to say that if surviving meant hurting someone like this, I'd rather just let it go.
But before I could say another word, Elaine pushed open the door, her patience clearly gone.
Elaine said, "Theo, are you done chatting with your ex yet?
"If she wasn't practically dying, I wouldn't let you two have even a second alone together!"
"That's enough," Theo said.
He gave Elaine a mild warning, then casually moved further away from me.
"Angela, your parents will be here soon, so I'll leave now," Theo said.
When Theo left, Elaine was practically wrapped around him, hanging onto his arm like she couldn't bear to let go.
Theo completely forgot to close the door behind him.