Chapter 3

The next morning, when Rona had just settled at her desk and hadn't even taken a sip of coffee, the door of her office swung open.

Darren stood at the doorway. He was wearing a neat suit, though his tie was slightly askew.

"I need you to come with me," he said casually.

Kaiden and the other colleagues looked up at them. Some looked with meaningful smiles.

Rona knew exactly what they were thinking. Maybe Darren was taking her out for a date skipping work again. This kind of thoughts had once delighted her, but now it only made her feel weary.

"To where?" She asked, closing her files.

Darren walked over and pulled her up without further ado. "You'll find out once we get there." His hand was warm and dry. He held her hands tightly, as if he was afraid that she might slip away.

Rona let him lead her holding her hands. She felt the envious glances from other colleagues as they passed through the office area.

Only when the elevator doors closed did Darren release her hand and press the button for the underground parking lot. "Khloe's not doing well this morning," he explained. "The doctor said it's best for someone she's familiar with to spend more time with her to help recover her memory."

Rona stared at her own blurred reflection in the mirror of the elevator. So that was it. She should have thought this.

"You could have just told me," she said.

Darren turned to look at her. He seemed to be searching for signs of dissatisfaction on her face. But she simply stood there quietly, without even a flutter of her eyelashes.

"You're not angry?" he asked.

"Why would I be?" Rona retorted. "She's your secretary, and she got injured because of work."

Darren sighed in relief and reached out to touch her face, but the elevator arrived just then. His hand paused in mid-air. Eventually he simply held the elevator door open for her.

The hospital corridor was filled with the smell of disinfectant. Khloe's room was at the end of the corridor, where was a single room with good lighting.

As they entered, she was sitting up in bed and reading. Sunlight cast delicate patterns across her pale face through the curtains.

"Darren!" Her eyes lit up when seeing them. But then her smile froze for a moment as she noticed Rona behind Darren. "Rona is here too."

Darren walked to the bedside and naturally picked up the water cup. He tested its temperature to ensure it was just right for Khloe. "How are you feeling today?"

"Much better," Khloe replied softly, though her gaze kept drifting towards Rona. "It's just so boring being here alone, and I keep thinking about the car accident."

Suddenly, she clutched her head and exclaimed, "Oh!"

Darren immediately held her and asked with concern. "Having a headache again?"

Rona stood by the door, watching Khloe lean into Darren's embrace and gripped his sleeve tightly. Her delicate look would evoke sympathy from anyone.

"I'll go find a doctor," Rona said, turning around to leave the room.

"No need," Darren stopped her. "It's more of a mental stress. She'll be fine later."

Khloe lifted her head from his arms. Her eyes were slightly red. She said, "I'm sorry, Rona. I'm so useless. If it weren't for the car accident, Darren wouldn't have to be at the hospital every day."

"Khloe," Darren frowned, stopping her. "Don't say that."

Rona walked to the window and drew back the curtain. "Do you need any daily necessities? I can go buy some later."

Khloe hadn't expected her to be so calm. She thus bit her lip, "Thank you but I don't need them. Darren takes good care of me. He even picked my pajamas."

Rona's fingers unconsciously tightened around the curtain.

She knew Khloe was doing it on purpose. Those seemingly casual words held countless barbs that only those she targeted could feel.

"I'll go get some water," she said, picking up the kettle and hurriedly leaving the room.

The water room at the end of the corridor was empty.

Rona placed the kettle under the tap, then stared at the flowing water, lost in thought. She shouldn't have come, knowing what she would face. Yet she masochistically came here anyway.

When she returned to the room, Khloe was sitting at the bedside arranging flowers. Seeing Rona come in, she immediately held up a bouquet of lilies. "Rona, this is for you. Thank you for visiting me today."

When the strong scent of the flowers hit her, Rona instinctively took a step back. "No, thanks."

"What's wrong?" Khloe asked, looking hurt by Rona's reaction. "Don't you like them?"

"Rona, just take them," Darren said. "Khloe means well."

Rona was about to explain her pollen allergy. Yet Khloe interjected, "Is it because you think flowers in hospital are dirty? Or do you dislike anything I've touched?" Her voice grew quieter. And her eyes were reddening again.

Darren gave Rona a disapproving look.

"I don't..." Rona's throat began to itch, signaling an upcoming allergic reaction.

Just then, Khloe clutched her chest and bent over in pain. "Darren... I'm so dizzy. Those fragmented memories are terrifying..."

Darren immediately rushed to support her and pressed the call button. "Khloe? Are you ok? I'll take you to the emergency room." Darren said urgently, turning to Rona with a quick instruction. "You take a rest. I'll take Khloe for a check-up and be back soon."

Rona stood there. She felt the bouquet in her hands getting heavier by the moment. Her eyes began to sting and her throat felt blocked. She then had difficulty in breathing. She had to steady herself against the bed.