Chapter 10

Hearing that, Theodore's face turned completely dark, his eyes locked on Victoria with a stormy glare. So now she's got someone backing her up, even the way she talks has changed? "Victoria, say that again." Just as it looked like he was about to storm over, Isabella quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. "Victoria, are you okay? Why are you here too? Are you sick?" Victoria didn't even glance at her fake concern. Without a word, she turned and headed straight for her room. Yeah, she really didn't need to stick around and watch her ex live out his fairytale with his 'one and only'. Henry watched Victoria's lonely back as she walked away, then turned to give Theodore a glance filled with unspoken meaning. Something told him there was way more going on between those two than either was letting on. But he was smart enough not to poke around. Better stay out of it. Once Victoria and Henry disappeared down the hallway, Isabella finally looked back at Theodore. She suddenly wasn't so sure of herself anymore. Theodore never wore his emotions on his sleeve, but the way he just snapped at Victoria? That wasn't nothing. "Theo, Victoria didn't look so great just now... Should we maybe check in on her?" She asked carefully. But Theodore's voice was cold. "What's there to check?" "Let me help you back to your room." Hearing that, the tension in Isabella's chest finally eased. Maybe she really was overthinking it. If Theodore had been that quick to divorce Victoria, then she shouldn't have to worry. So what if Victoria was sick? Even if she didn't have much time left, Isabella was still determined to make every minute count—and she wasn't going to waste the chance to hit Victoria where it hurt. In the hospital room. Victoria glanced at Henry, who looked like he had something to say but hesitated. She took a sip of water. "Thanks for taking care of me these past couple of days. I shouldn't take up any more of your time." The message couldn't be clearer—time to leave. They barely knew each other anyway. Even if he looked like Elijah, Victoria knew deep down—he wasn't him. She had to let the past go, no matter how hard it was. Henry slipped his hands in his pockets and stepped forward. "That guy just now, your ex?" Victoria met his gaze, the flicker in her eyes betraying emotions she couldn't quite hide. Not just an ex. He was her ex-husband, too. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. It just seemed like... something was off between you two." Victoria shook her head. She really didn't feel like explaining anything right now. But Henry didn't leave. Instead, he pulled up a chair and sat down beside her. "I've got nothing urgent to do. It's kinda fate we met, right? Mind if I stay with you for a bit?" She didn't say anything more. Just pulled the blanket up and laid down, her back facing him. The room went quiet. At some point, she fell asleep. Maybe it was because of Henry's presence... but for the first time in a while, she dreamed of Elijah again. In the dream, he hadn't started chemotherapy yet. He still looked the same—kind and warm. He stood in the sunlight smiling at her, just like old times. "Victoria, make sure you take care of yourself." "Elijah..." When she opened her eyes, the IV had already been removed from her arm. Night had fallen outside the window—she hadn't realized she'd been asleep that long. Slowly propping herself up on the bed, her head still a little foggy, she sat for a moment in silence. Just then, the door opened and Henry walked in. Their eyes met—both caught off guard for a split second.Victoria hadn't expected him to still be there. For a brief second, in the quiet loneliness of her heart, a strange warmth crept in. She quickly snapped out of it and reached for her cup, but in her haste, almost knocked it over. "Careful." Henry instinctively reached out to steady the cup but ended up grabbing her hand instead. The cup clattered to the floor, water splashing onto his pant leg. The two of them froze, an awkward silence settling in the air. At the same time, Theodore, after much hesitation, stood right outside Victoria's hospital room. Through the window, he saw their hands... together. His brows furrowed instantly. Something in his chest was starting to boil—something he didn't quite want to name, but it was loud enough to drown out rational thought. His fingers tightened around the doorknob, but he didn't push it open. Instead, he stood there, eyes locked on their hands like they were glued together. "Sir, are you a relative of the patient?" The sudden voice of a nurse startled Victoria. She immediately pulled her hand back from Henry's, her cheeks turning a faint red as she shifted her gaze to the side with a couple soft coughs, trying to compose herself. And just like that, as she looked away, her eyes met his—dark, intense, and impossible to ignore. She was momentarily thrown off, her breath catching in her throat. The nurse stepped in, holding a thermometer, glanced at it casually, and said, "You're looking much better than earlier. Don't forget to eat on time, okay? You're young, take care of yourself." Victoria didn't answer. Honestly, the nurse's words went in one ear and right out the other. Her full attention was on the man at the door. Meanwhile, Henry, acting every bit the considerate partner, spoke up on her behalf, his tone gentle and a little too familiar. As the nurse walked out with the tray, she couldn't help but glance back at the three of them—good-looking people, sure, but the vibe? Off. "Is there something you want?" Henry's voice broke the silence, cold and even, as if the incident earlier that day with Theodore meant nothing. "No offense, but she needs rest." Henry was usually warm and accommodating around Victoria, so his sudden change of tone caught her slightly off guard. Theodore stood under the soft hallway light, one hand in his pocket, the other still clenched from earlier. The warm glow edged his figure in gold, but his expression was unreadable. Still, Victoria felt a strange chill crawl up her back. "You seriously don't have anything to say to me?" Theodore stepped closer, slow and measured, like he already knew the answer. Victoria's hand clenched the sheet under the covers. After half a minute of tense silence, she let out a low laugh and shot back, "It's late. Why aren't you off with Isabella? What exactly are you doing here?" "Just wanted to see what brilliant moves landed you back in the hospital." Even he didn't know why he'd said that. He'd literally read her medical file earlier—knew she was admitted for severe malnutrition. He came here planning to check on her. Show a little concern maybe. But the words that came out? Pure sarcasm. Too late to take it back now, and no way he was going to show weakness with another man in the room. "Appreciate the concern, but maybe save that for Miss Waters." Victoria barely got the words out when a woman in a white dress showed up in the doorway. With hair that long and dark, all she needed was red lipstick to give anyone a proper scare.