After stepping out of the cab, she transferred a hundred bucks to the driver via her phone.

The driver, sensing her sour mood, plastered a grin on his face. "Miss, if you're feeling down, maybe I can help lighten the mood?"

Carol stiffened, the creepiness of his offer washing over her. She backed away hastily, not even bothering to pop open her

umbrella. She was already drenched to the bone—what was a little more rain?

The sound of the downpour mingled with the driver's chuckling as it hammered against her ears.

She quickened her pace and entered her apartment building, which was cheap and consequently lacked proper security. The driver

followed her, probably assuming she had no one to turn to since her phone call earlier seemed merely to embolden herself.

The dangers a woman faced alone were often beyond imagination.

Carol made a beeline for a nearby 24-hour convenience store, where a dozen others had taken refuge from the storm. The cabbie,

seeing the crowd, finally cursed under his breath and left.

Standing in the store, Carol was soaked despite the umbrella in her hand.

The other customers stared at her, wondering why she hadn't used it.

Too scared to head back alone, she settled into the most secluded corner she could find.

She sneezed again, the chill seeping into her bones.

Meanwhile, Felix had arrived at the hospital, oblivious to the rain, his mind consumed with thoughts of Listina waking up.

Entering her room, he saw her eyes were indeed open, though she couldn't speak yet.

"Listina," he rasped, grabbing her hand urgently.

The doctor, checking her vitals, spoke evenly, "She'll be up in a few days, but this isn't a good sign. She's hanging on by meds;

surgery's needed. Mr. Brown, you need to decide soon."

Felix pressed her hand to his cheek.

Knowing the couple's closeness, the doctor sighed, "Ms. Geo called for you when she awoke. Visit more often, Mr. Brown; it could

help."

never taking his eyes

rain pelting the

still didn't thought of

and the next morning he had to

another 20,000 dollars in the hospital. This the really threw

of the year.

up. If her brain tumor

had to

that he had left the hotel with Carol last night, but

go back

rushed back to his place, cooked up two dishes, and took them

scared the stalking driver was still outside or that another strange

might appear.

temporary apartment had no medicine, so she relied on multiple cups of hot water to

sense of

Felix several times with

could be so important

but couldn't stop

the night, she felt weak and was startled by a knock

blanket, she peered out to see

exuding a

"Carol, have you eaten?"

gentle tone, but she

his shoes, and touched her flushed cheek,

She looked away.

set the food aside, lifted her chin,

pushed him

want to get

be," he

resolve melted; she almost forgave him on the

ten-minute kiss, Felix opened the

"I made you breakfast."

circles under his eyes. "Where were you last

I missed your calls; I was there

"Is everything okay now?"

knowing it was a

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