No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Haley had a close call, but thankfully, the baby was fine, and she was back in her hospital room. Her face was ashen, eyes rimmed red, making her delicate features more poignant against her pallor.

"Don't worry. The baby's fine," Conrad reassured her.

"Conrad, I'm so scared," Haley sobbed.

Conrad handed her a tissue, and as Haley took it, she also grasped his hand, burying her tear-streaked face against it.

Seeing her like that, it was hard not to feel possessive. Was it really fair for her to cling to my fiancé as if he were her own, just because she was vulnerable?

I approached them. "Hey, the doctor mentioned stress isn't good for the baby. You've been through a lot to keep this child. Crying like this might bring more issues."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

As I spoke, I gently pulled her away. But the sight of Conrad's hand, wet from her tears, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I'd always been a bit of a neat freak, emotionally as much as in any other aspect of my life.

Haley seemed stunned by my actions, her expression stiffening before she calmed herself.

"Conrad, I'm sorry. Look at me..." she started, reaching to wipe his hand with a tissue.

I intercepted, "Haley, you shouldn't strain yourself."

Haley's face froze again, her tearful eyes locking on Conrad with an unmistakable look of adoration.

"Does Haley like you?" I asked Conrad bluntly as we stepped out of the room.

"No!" He was quick to deny it.

"And you? Do you like her?" I wanted a clear answer. I hated to be left hanging.

Conrad's expression stiffened, and after a few seconds, he murmured, "We're just friends..."

Just friends, huh?

"Aiden made me promise to look after Haley before he died." Conrad's voice trembled, a clear sign of how deeply Aiden's death affected him.

I softened. "I get it. It's just that Haley seems too dependent on you."

"She's probably just feeling insecure because of the pregnancy," Conrad explained, his gaze meeting mine. "Felicia, I'll be keeping my distance from

now on."

What more could I say? Yet, I couldn't help but add, "Even if it's for Aiden, remember there are boundaries."

I didn't want a repeat of what I'd just witnessed. It was unsettling.

"Understood..." A gurney rushing toward us cut his words off. "Be careful Conrad's low voice sounded as I was about to move aside, his hand pulling me back as the gurney whizzed past.

I nestled in his arms, his heartbeat echoing in my ears, taking me back to a memory from when we first

met. I had fallen during a school

event, and Conrad had rushed t

hurried to the infirmary. Thael

catch me, assuring me as we

was

when I first felt something more for him. At the time, his heartbeat was just as rapid and urgent, all because of me.

I closed my eyes, letting go of other thoughts, and snuggled closer. "Let's go home. I'm tired."

"Okay, let me just tell Haley," he said, kissing my forehead before letting me go.

I waited outside, not hearing their conversation but catching the tail end of Haley's sobs as Conrad returned.

Back at home, Conrad's parents

were up, sitting in silence before the

TV, their usual routine, according to Jacqueline. After years together, it seemed they had nothing more to share.