Lost Me Gained Regret

Christine texted back instantly: "Goodnight."

Merritt leaned against the foyer wall, grinning like a three-year-old who'd just snagged a handful of candy.

...

When Dailey woke up in the hospital, he was still groggy.

Seeing the driver by his bed, he frowned, "Why are you here?"

Wasn't it supposed to be Christine?

The driver poured him some water, "I was worried about you."

Dailey was indeed thirsty. After taking a sip, his mind slowly started to kick into gear.

"You brought me to the hospital?"

The driver nodded.

Dailey scowled, "What exactly did you see?"

The driver gave it to him straight: "I saw you talking to Ms. Jackson, then suddenly you passed out. Ms. Jackson couldn't hold you up, but luckily her boyfriend was there to lend a hand. I rushed over and brought you here." Hearing the word "boyfriend" made Dailey's brows furrow even deeper.

"She said that herself?"

"What?"

The driver was momentarily confused.

Dailey pressed on, "Did you see them go home together?"

The driver shook his head, "I was too worried about getting you..."

stopped mid-sentence upon seeing Dailey suddenly trying to remove

"Sir, pardon my frankness, but you're already admitted. This fever isn't going down; you could end up delirious. If that

...

him

shivered but didn't

driver for their family required a security clearance, reviewed annually to

for many years without

words were harsh

Dailey wasn't

how he'd acted, Dailey could see why Christine was so angry with

genuinely wanted to apologize to

giving him a

like this before,

I'm

was

at

his side, "I haven't informed your parents yet, but if you

וויד

I'll

to report

temples, grunted in acknowledgment, which seemed

"Find out

went to work, and

information, the driver said, "He's in his own

Dailey's mood slightly improved

this,

bring her here

me to my death, and

driver thought to himself, Can you really win someone

he went to carry out the orders