Everyone expressed a few more words of concern, but once they realized Eugene needed to rest, they all said their goodbyes and left.

Sylvia started to leave as well, but Eugene spoke softly, "Sylvia, would you stay with me a little longer?"

She nodded. "Of course."

After the others had gone, Sylvia walked over to his bedside, her brow furrowed. "I'm sorry—I didn't know you couldn't eat tomatoes."

Eugene immediately shook his head. "Please, don't apologize. It's my own fault; the smell was just so tempting. It's not your responsibility at all. My mom exaggerates how bad it is. It's really just a minor allergy-just a couple of red spots."

But Sylvia knew the truth-Vicky had said he'd had a high fever. That didn't sound minor at all.

"You don't have to pretend it's nothing," she said quietly. "If you can't eat something, just tell me. If anything happened to you because of something I made, I'd feel terrible."

Eugene dropped his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted to know what you meant when you said it tasted good. I want to experience everything about you. That way, I feel a little closer to you."

"Eugene." Sylvia looked at him evenly. "Let's not see each other anymore."

"Why? Did I upset you? Am

nodded. "Yes. What you're doing... it's too much for me.

do you? So even the good things I

"I don't like being indebted to anyone. If I owe money or a favor, I can pay

voice rose, almost desperate. "I don't

feel even more uneasy," she said. "If you had some ulterior motive, I could just play along. But when you're sincere like this, I can only keep my

want his genuine affection to be misplaced-she'd been down that road before, and it only led to emptiness. She knew how much that hurt

voice was heavy with sorrow. "I'm sorry. I'll

shook her head, resolute. "I'm leaving. Take care

call her back, but she had already turned and walked

knotting in his chest. He wanted nothing more

and

walked straight to billing. She gave Eugene's VIP room number and quietly paid for all his hospital and treatment

*

discharged from the hospital. I sent

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255