He smiled, reaching out to wipe my tears. His voice was tender, like an echo of a dream. “I knew you wouldn’t blame me.”
He lit the candles on the cake. “Come on, babe, let’s make a wish together. Once we blow them out, it’ll be our ninth year. This year, we’re finally getting married.”
Our ninth year?
I stared at the flickering candles, not blowing them out.
Just as he was about to urge me, his phone rang. He picked it up instinctively.
“Ross… I twisted my ankle… It hurts so bad… Can you come pick me up? I’m alone by the roadside, and there are some creepy strangers watching me. I’m really scared.”
Zamora’s delicate voice came through the speaker, carrying a familiar intimacy.
Ross’s expression changed instantly. He stood up in a hurry. “How could you be so careless? Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”
He blew out the candles, kissed my cheek, and said quickly, “Babe, I’ll just be gone for a bit. She’s a girl. She’s not safe out there alone. I’ll be right back.”
“I—” Before I could finish, he had already rushed out of the hospital room.
I stared blankly at the door.
My heart was eerily calm.