“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.”

“It’s

in pain anymore.” Sophia forced a light-hearted laugh, “Even my voice

I’ll head back to the office for a bit. I’ll be

with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’m not

left, she remembered

was like a kid who never grew

today’s awkwardness, she wondered

leaned over to peck her cheek, “I’ll bring your favorite dish

“Mhm,” Sophia nodded obediently.

her throat sore. She reached for the glass of

a glass seemed to

Jason, her finger hovering over his name on her phone, unsure

Apologize, or say thanks?

spoke up, she’d seem pretentious,

headache, she had no choice but to lie down and

institution in

outside and made her way through the yard, filled with a mix

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