Chapter 368
0368
VALERIE
That night, he never returned.
Nor the night after.
And the night after that.
It was almost like Zade Toussaint had simply disappeared without a note, without a message.
And it terrified me because he’s disappeared once before.
The apartment next door remained empty.
No one came to clear it out, which gave me a little hope, but what hope?
When we all know he doesn’t care, right?
He’ll leave when he wants to
Maybe it’s better this way.
Guilt and regret morph into worry and anxiousness, which soon change into anger and disappointment.
It’s been a week since that night, yet there’s no sign of his return, and…
I’ve stopped waiting.
Why should I wait for someone who comes and goes as they wish?
The first two nights after Zaia left, I knocked on his window, but he wasn’t there.
That’s the difference between Zade and the rest of the world.
He just doesn’t care.
Until last night.
I thought I heard movement next door.
And I realised I do care.
Today I am leaving the hospital far earlier than usual, making an excuse that I was feeling a little under
the weather. It’s not a complete lie. I’ve barely slept or eaten since Zaia left, although I reassured her I
was fine.
+15 BONUS
0368
VALERIE.
That night, he never returned.
Nor the night after.
And the night after that.
It was almost like Zade Toussaint had simply disappeared without a note, without a message.
And it terrified me because he’s disappeared once before.
The apartment next door remained empty.
No one came to clear it out, which gave me a little hope, but what hope?
When we all know he doesn’t care, right?
He’ll leave when he wants to.
Maybe it’s better this way.
Guilt and regret morph into worry and anxiousness, which soon change into anger and disappointment.
It’s been a week since that night, yet there’s no sign of his return, and…
I’ve stopped waiting.
Why should I wait for someone who comes and goes as they wish?
The first two nights after Zaia left, I knocked on his window, but he wasn’t there.
That’s the difference between Zade and the rest of the world.
He just doesn’t care.
Until last night.
I thought I heard movement next door.
And I realised I do care. /
Today I am leaving the hospital far earlier than usual, making an excuse that I was feeling a little under
the weather. It’s not a complete lie. I’ve barely slept or eaten since Zaia left, although I reassured her I
was fine.
+15 BONUS
I hurt him, and I need to fix this.
And I know I heard something next door unless he had just come to grab his things and is leaving for
good. The very thought makes me sick.
1 close my eyes, gripping my desk as I take a deep breath. “Are you sure you’ll be alright to head home
by yourself?” Cassian asks, folding his arms as he walks
over to me.
Nodding, I brush my hair back. “Yes, absolutely. I’m fine. I just need some painkillers and bed.” I lie.
He looks me over before nodding in understanding and I can’t blame him for buying it. I’ve felt restless
and torn all morning, even more than the last few days. “Alright then, but just be careful. I’m a little
concerned that you might have caught the new virus that’s been spreading.
I’m a werewolf. Nothing is going to get to me.
“I’m sure it’s not, but thanks for being worried,” I respond as I pick up my bag and jacket.
He pulls my chair back, allowing me enough space to walk out, and I smile. ” Thank you.”
“Any time, come. I’ll walk you out.”
I hesitate, feeling the two nurses at the desk watching. “I’ll be ok, really.”
“I insist.” He flashes me his pearly whites and I give in. The quicker I’m out of here, the better.
He takes my bag from me, and I put my coat on as we walk through the long hospital halls.
We step outside, and he walks me to my car. “Well, here you go.” He holds my bag out to me, and I
take it, rummaging inside for my keys and unlock the car.
“Thank you for being a gentleman. You should get back to work.” I reply with a small smile.
He smirks slightly. “Yeah, I will, but I actually wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh, sure, what is it?” I ask.
He shoves his hands into his pocket and the way he lowers his head before smiling makes me falter,
my heart thudding as a flashback of Jai comes to me. That’s something he did as well.
+15 BONUS
Jai… he hasn’t been on my mind much these days…
“There’s a charity dinner, where there’ll be some auctions to help fund the new block for the hospital
and I was wondering if you wanted to be my plus one?”
The dreaded question.
He’s asking me out.
“Cassian… I-”
“Hey, that doesn’t sound so good. Look, we can go as friends. I won’t sugarcoat it. I like you, Valerie…
and I know you’re single. Give me a chance.”