Capítulo 20

John couldn't drink much during his shift, but we chatted idly. "Alice, I still have 1000 dollars left from you lent me. Let me pay that back first. I'll earn the rest through part-time jobs. I start my internship next semester, so I should save up quickly once I land a good company."

"Internship already?" I was startled.

"Yeah, graduation's next June. Emma will be a senior too." John sighed. "Time flies."

I stayed silent, recalling how it felt like just yesterday I'd been pretending to bump into William on campus, yet here I was, nearing thirty.

Just then, Nelson, Frank, and Granille entered the bar. Of all places.

"John, go back to work," I urged.

"Sure. Call me if you need anything." He left, and Nelson's gaze followed him before landing on me.

Frank and Granille awkwardly gestured, clearly confused about my presence. Nelson sat beside me, legs crossed, eyes sharp.

"Another coincidence?" he asked, nodding at John's retreating figure.

"Yep. Pure luck." I met his gaze honestly.

"Where's William?" He scanned the room. "Didn't you leave with him?"

I shrugged. "Saw him with his ‘true love' at the hotel. Got upset, hopped out of his car to drink, and ran into her boyfriend. Crazy, right?"

Nelson's eyes flickered.

"Emma works at Cloud Peak?"

I smiled widely. "Yes. Interested?"

He scoffed. "Not at all. You're imagining things."

I poured him a drink, choosing my words carefully. "Nelson, promise not to tell anyone—especially William—that I know Emma and John, okay?" The memory of William's call last night still made me uneasy.

"What if he asks why we're close?"

Nelson anticipated the problem.

"You're a doctor, right? What's your specialty?"

"Cardiology."

"Then, Nelson," I clutched my stomach dramatically, "I have a terrible stomachache. Maybe gastritis? Please treat me!"

His cool expression darkened, as if possessed by a demon. "That's not my department."

"John wasn't a cardiology patient either, but you covered his shift." I huffed. "Doctors should help all patients. Where's your medical ethics?"

"Are you insane, Alice?"

"If we can't use stomach issues as an excuse, then say I have arrhythmia! You're a doctor—can't you tell a white lie?" I was getting heated.

Frank and Granille kept glancing our way. In a bold move, I slid closer to Nelson and looped my arm through his. "If you don't help, I'll sit on your lap right now. We're already suspicious—might as well make it real."

"Show some dignity!" Nelson snapped, shaking me off and standing.

"Why not just pretend we're having an affair? It explains everything." My tongue felt heavy from alcohol. "No medical ethics，no brains…"

Nelson's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. After a long, tense stare, he turned and rejoined Frank and Granille.

I collapsed onto the seat, dizzy.

To my surprise, Nelson returned a minute later, hauling me to my feet and out of the bar. I missed Frank and Granille's shocked expressions, but I imagined they mirrored Yulia's earlier reaction.

In the car, I rambled, "Nelson… Emma's not worth it… You're better than William…" My words slurred as I drifted off, unaware he'd taken me to a hotel nearby Romance Mansion. I woke the next day to a friend request from Nelson on whatsapp.

Nelson: When you wake up, come to the hospital and register for cardiology. Choose my slot.

I blinked, then grinned. He's playing along.

Me: On my way!

At the hospital, I waited in line for Nelson's expert consultation. When my turn came, he glanced at me and pointed to a chair. "Sit."

I obeyed, watching him work—focused, glasses slipping down his nose, every word to patients precise. Why would he waste himself on Emma?

Ten minutes later, he said, "You can go."

I left without a word, calling Iriqe for a ride.

"Not feeling well, Madam?" he asked.

"Just a heart thing."

"Did you get checked?"

"Probably just lack of rest."

At Romance Mansion, Luna hesitated before saying,

"William's upstairs. He came back last night and asked where you were. He seemed… unhappy."

"Noted." I headed up to find William in his study, surrounded by chaos and cigarette smoke.

"Finally back?" he snapped, stubbing out a cigarette.

"Why'd you come home last night?"

"Where else should I have gone?"

I shook my head. "No idea.I'm showering. Lunch soon."

Before I could leave, he asked, tone icy, "Where did you spend the night?"

Guilt pricked me. Though nothing happened with Nelson, the hotel stay and secrets made me feel complicit. "A hotel."

"Alone?" His gaze sharpened.

I nodded. His expression relaxed slightly before he returned to work.

During lunch, his phone rang—Emma's name flashed.

I heard her excited voice, but not the words.

William massaged his temple, annoyed.

"I told you to come to me if you need money. How much?"

The words chilled me, echoing my past life when he'd asked, "How much to divorce?"

Emma hung up, and William shoved his phone aside, losing his appetite.

Luna, wiping tables nearby, pretended not to notice.

"What did you do?" I pried.

"Eat your food."

"Did you get her fired?" I guessed. "That's why she called to scold you?"

His face darkened. "Should I praise your understanding of me?"

"Not really. I just know this won't work. She's a top student at A University—proud. She won't cling to you for money. Try a different approach."

"You seem eager for me to succeed." His eyes narrowed.

"I meant it when I said I want a divorce."

"Still 3%?"

"Make it 5%." I held up five fingers, smiling brightly.

He stared, amused but mocking, and returned to his meal without a word.

That night, Sasha called about our Maldives trip.

I packed quietly, avoiding William, and left early the next day for the airport, joining the girls.

"Dear God, send me a hot fling!" Oliva prayed as we boarded.

I leaned back, eyes closed.

Maybe a fresh start will wash away the past. But as the plane took off, I couldn't shake the feeling that leaving William behind was both liberation and the calm before a storm.