Chapter 7
I opened the door to the house, letting Selene in first. Tonight, we spent time together, eating dinner at an expensive restaurant, enjoying a glass of wine, and talking as if there were no problems in our lives. I felt that Selene could make me happy more than Althea.
Ah, never mind. Look at her! All she does is cause trouble. I left her alone in the hospital, so that she could realize her mistake to Selene.
I should have been happy and calm. But somehow, something felt off.
“Tonight was fun, Damien. I’m glad I got to spend time with you,” Selene said with a small smile.
She continued to hug my arm tightly, as if she was afraid of losing me.
I returned her smile. “I’ll take you to your room. Get some rest. Your back must still be very sore,”
Selene obeyed and continued to hold my arm without hesitation. I led her to the guest room, the room I had reserved for her from the start.
“Go to sleep. I’m going to my room,” I said as I gently stroked her head so that she could rest easy tonight.
She pursed her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but eventually just nodded. I closed the door and walked towards my room.
As I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks when I saw the picture frame of me with Althea lying on the bed.
“Who put it down? It couldn’t have been Selene. She was with me until tonight,” I asked myself.
I stepped closer, picking up the picture frame. My fingers traced its surface, remembering the moment when this picture was taken. Althea was smiling in it, the smile that used to always make me feel calm.
I turned to the bathroom and saw that the door was closed. Maybe she was inside.
“Althea?” I called, my voice sounding calmer than I actually felt.
There was no answer.
I knocked on the door. “Althea, I know you’re inside. Why don’t you come out?”
Still no sound.
I began to feel strange. Quickly, I grabbed the doorknob and opened it.
The bathroom was empty.
My forehead furrowed deeply. I stepped into the center of the room, my eyes searching for something that felt different. And that’s when I saw it. Althea’s ring that I had given her was lying on the table.
I was transfixed.
Chapter 7
2/3 26.7%
13:03 Wed, 28 May GWG.
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I turned my head towards the closet and saw that one of her suitcases was not in place. I hurriedly opened the closet, my eyes widening as I realized all of Althea’s clothes were
gone.
I snorted, annoyance starting to rise in my chest.
“So, she just chose to leave?” I asked as I raised one corner of my lips.
I grabbed my cell phone and quickly dialed Althea’s number. A monotonous voice instantly rang in my ears.
‘The number you have dialed cannot be reached.’
I tried calling again, but it was the same.
I let out a rough sigh. “She must just be angry. There’s no way Althea really left me,”
“She’s just being childish. I know she’s overly emotional, and yesterday’s incident just made her feel offended. She’ll definitely come back once her mind is clearer.” I’m pretty sure that’s the case.
But, suddenly something felt wrong?
I clenched my fist. I had to confirm something.
Without thinking, I grabbed the car keys and drove out of the house to the hospital.
She must still be there. I was sure.
I drove at high speed, my fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I refused to think of any other possibilities.
As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I rushed to her ward. However, when I arrived in front of the room, it was empty.
I stepped inside, looking at the neatly made bed, the perfectly folded blanket. There was no sign of Althea.
A nurse passed by outside the door. I quickly approached her. “The patient here, Althea Callister. Where was she transferred to?” I asked curiously.
The nurse frowned and replied, “The patient in this room has been discharged since this afternoon.”
Twas speechless. Out?
“Who did she go with?” I asked quickly.
The nurse looked thoughtful. “I’m not sure, but a man picked her up earlier.”
I clenched my jaw. A man?
Who? Had she planned this beforehand?
I stood transfixed in the hospital hallway, trying to digest this situation.
Althea left the house, leaving behind our ring of togetherness and now, she wasn’t even at the hospital.
I let out a rough breath. She must have just wanted to panic me.
I stuffed my phone into my pocket and walked out of the hospital at a brisk pace.
13:03 Wed, 28 May GWG
There was nothing to worry about.
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Althea must be just looking for attention. I knew her, she was too emotional. Once she’s satisfied with her own drama, she’ll definitely come back.
She will.
However, as I got into the car, started the engine, and stared at the empty street in front of the hospital, for the first time, something felt different.
I dismissed that feeling. But, why does this chest feel empty?
13:03 Wed, 28 May GWG.
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