The Bound Between Us

Chapter 987

The hallway was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Monica sat stiffly on the bench, arms crossed, refusing to look at Jason. She was still simmering with anger-honestly, it was the first time she'd ever snapped at him.

Usually, the second Jason showed up, Monica would light up like a Christmas tree, bounding toward him, practically glued to his side. Tonight, though, she just couldn't muster it.

Jason could tell something was off. He hesitated, then sat down beside her, fidgeting awkwardly before finally asking, "How's your dad? What did the doctors say?"

Monica stayed silent.

Jason grew more anxious, rubbing his hands together. "There was an emergency at work today, I had to head out with the team. My phone was on silent- department policy, you know that-so I missed your calls. As soon as we wrapped up, I saw you'd called and called you right back."

Monica just let him talk. She didn't interrupt, didn't even look his way.

When he finished, Monica finally turned to him, her tone icy and dripping with sarcasm. "Detective Lu, you're a busy man. You've got all those rules to follow. When it's something important, I guess Monica just doesn't make the cut. I'm always the one that has to step back."

"Monica, come on, don't say that. You're my girlfriend," Jason said, reaching for her hand.

Monica pulled her hand away, her voice rising, hurt and biting. "Am I? Because whenever I really need you, you're never there. The whole country needs you, apparently. Me? I get a sliver of your time, if that. Just because your job is special, I have to make all the allowances-if I call during work, I'm in the wrong. When you finally have time, you expect me to drop everything and show up. What do you see me as? Some girl at a hotel you can just drop by when it's convenient?"

Her words tumbled out, voice shaking, tears streaming down her face. The more she spoke, the more upset she got.

Jason had never seen Monica like this. For the first time, he really understood how much she'd been holding in, sacrificing so he could do his job.

was right. He'd let his work pull him away, always assuming Monica would just be there,

now how much

I" Jason started, but the words caught in his

"Let's break up."

the tears from her cheeks and said it-five words

felt like he'd been struck by

saying it the second it was out, but her pride wouldn't let her take

her eyes. "I'm tired, Detective Lu. Please go. Let's just call it quits." She wouldn't look

wet with tears, struggling to keep his own emotions

sure. We're done." Monica's voice was brittle. She tossed the words over her shoulder and hurried toward

water on her face, trying

out a cigarette. She'd quit when she started dating Jason, but these last couple of days had undone

a little steadier. When

empty corridor somehow made everything worse, an ache and anger rolling

the bench, stewing, until a nurse appeared. "Monica, your food

"I didn't order anything.

nodded. "Yeah, check the phone number on the

clicked-Jason had ordered it

yam porridge, a little plate

Monica said, but she

get cold, the milk tea