#Chapter 44: The Choice That Isn’t One.

Lauren “What are you doing here?” I asked finally, my voice barely above a whisper as my breath hit Alexander. “You should be in the hospital.” He stood over me, his eyes locking into mine, his elbow beading a dot of blood from the hospital. “Sophia told me you left,” he said, his tone accusing but laced with something deeper. “She said you didn’t care if I survived.” I froze, my head shaking, though somehow I wasn’t surpirsed. “She said what?” “She said you left,” he repeated, stepping closer. “That you took Liam and walked away without looking back. That you didn’t care.” Anger flared in my chest, hot and sudden. “That’s a lie,” I snapped. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t care, Alex. I left because she made it clear I wasn’t welcome. Every time I tried to see you after, she blocked me. She said it was… better for everyone if I stayed away.” His jaw tightened, the muscles working under his skin. “She lied to me.” “Yes, she lied,” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “D