A Love That Fades

At some point, Selena lost consciousness. In her dazed state, she had a dream.

She dreamed of the time in middle school when an article she had written was published in a medical journal.

Excited, she brought the journal home, but no one in her family could understand it. They glanced at it briefly before tossing it aside.

Only her mother read it for a long time. In the end, she stroked Selena's head, eyes filled with love, and praised her.

Curious, Selena asked, "Mom, can you understand medical journals?"

Her mother shook her head and said in a gentle voice, "I don't understand what you wrote, but I recognize the spot where your name is printed."

Even after many years, she still remembered that afternoon.

Now, her articles were published in one journal after another. But the person who used to stroke her head and praise her was no longer there.

"Mom–"

When Selena woke up, there were still tears at the corners of her eyes.

The first thing she saw was a young man looking at her with concern. It was Henry Zimmer, her junior who currently interned at the hospital.

"Selena, your family is way too heartless," he said angrily. "I heard from the paramedics that you were on the verge of death, but they were busy having a family dinner and didn't care at all.

"You were in a coma for two days, and not a single one of them have come to see you."

Hearing his furious complaints, Selena remained expressionless.

Her unusual reaction made Henry's heart ache. Perhaps this reflected her feelings of despair and disappointment.

"Selena, I bought you some soup. You need to eat something."

Before Selena could respond, Henry had already scooped up a spoonful soup and brought it to her lips, leaving her no room to refuse. She had no choice but to open her mouth.

Slowly, Henry's figure in front of her overlapped with a person from her past.

When her mother had just passed away, Selena had clung to the funeral portrait like she was possessed, refusing to eat, drink, or go to school. Furious, her father had beaten her with a belt until she was covered in wounds.

Even Ryan had been so scared that he crouched in the corner, too afraid to make a sound. It was Ian who had stormed into the Carter family's home, using his body to shield her.

He had taken her back to his house and personally fed her.

Back then, Ian had been the light in her life.

She never would have thought that the person who once promised to stay by her side forever would fall in love with someone else.

"Selena, who is he?"

A cold voice pulled her back to reality.

Ian stood at the door of the hospital room. His expression was dark.

After falling for Vanessa, he had already made up his mind to end things with Selena. And yet, seeing Henry gently feeding her soup, Ian felt a sharp pain in his heart.

It was as if something that should have belonged to him had been forcibly taken away.

Henry was about to explain, but Ian strode forward without a word and slapped the soup bowl away. The ceramic bowl shattered, shards flying everywhere.

Selena couldn't dodge in time, and a long gash appeared on her arm. Blood gushed out.

The pain sent shivers through her body. Ian never even spared her a glance. His dark, oppressive gaze was fixed on Henry as he issued a harsh command, "Get out."

His tone made it seem as though Selena was nothing more than his possession, one that no one else was allowed to touch.

But at that moment, his phone rang. After answering, his expression changed drastically.

"Vanessa is feeling guilty. Her depression spiraled, and she overdosed on pills. I need to go with her to the hospital for gastric lavage. I'll come see you later, okay?"

There was no trace of concern for Selena in his voice. It was only a statement of fact.

Selena clutched her bleeding arm and looked at his heartless face. Then, she let out a bitter laugh.

"Alright."

What was there to be sad about?

'Ian, in just eight more days, you won't have to keep up this act anymore.'