“Alright,” Sophia’s face lit up with a smile as she leaned slightly towards Robin.

Downstairs, Jason sat in his car, waiting a good ten minutes for Robin to come down. When there was still no sign of him, he started the engine and drove off.

A heavy stone seemed to press on his heart, lodged tight against his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Tendrils of pain threaded through the depths of his soul, an indescribable ache.

Love, for him, was like a thorn-riddled vine burrowing into his flesh. The deeper the love, the deeper the thorns sank, and the more he hurt.

Sometimes he wished that Robin loved Sophia just as fiercely, that he’d whisk her away in marriage, and Jason could tell himself there was no need to guard her anymore. Leaving J City would mean his complete release.

Sophia woke after only an hour of sleep, delighted to find Robin still there.

But Robin’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing, and he sounded increasingly agitated with every call.

Sitting up against the headboard, Sophia said, “Go on, Robin, you seem busy. I’m feeling much better after the medicine.”

smile, “It’s no trouble, today’s the

go. I’m not in pain anymore.” Sophia forced a

bit. I’ll be back soon, call me if you feel

nodded with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’m

left, she remembered

teased her, saying she was like a kid

today’s awkwardness, she wondered

peck her cheek, “I’ll bring your

“Mhm,” Sophia nodded obediently.

Sophia lay back down, her head still spinning, her throat sore. She reached for the glass of water on the nightstand,

to

his name on her phone,

Apologize, or say thanks?

she’d seem pretentious, and he might

throbbing headache, she had

a mental institution in J

parked outside and made her way through the yard, filled with a mix of tragic and absurd

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