radicalducati Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Alessia leaned against the cold wall of the hospital corridor, her breath caught in her throat. Her hand trembled as she gripped her phone, staring at the screen where Christian’s contact was open. Call him, a voice in her head urged. Confront him now.
With her heart pounding, she pressed the call button and brought the phone to her ear. The ringing echoed in the empty hallway as she watched Christian from her hiding spot behind a pillar. Her eyes widened as she saw him pull his phone from his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his face briefly illuminated by the glow, but instead of answering, he let it ring. Then, as if dismissing the importance of the call, he slid the phone back into his pocket.
Alessia’s heart sank, and her chest tightened. He saw it was me. He chose not to answer.
“What’s wrong?” The nurse beside him asked, her voice soft but curious.
Christian gave a small, dismissive laugh. “Oh, just work calling,” he said, shrugging. “Nothing urgent.”
The nurse smiled, tilting her head slightly. “Do you need to take it?”
“Nah,” Christian replied, his tone easy and casual. “I’ll deal with it later. I have to go now, but I’ll see you tonight.”
Tonight? Alessia’s blood ran cold. Her fists clenched at her sides as she tried to steady her breathing. What’s happening tonight?
Christian leaned in, gave the nurse a quick hug, and walked away down the corridor. Alessia stayed hidden, waiting until he disappeared around the corner before stepping out. Her pulse quickened as the nurse began walking in her direction, carrying the flowers Christian had just given her.
As the nurse passed, Alessia’s eyes locked on the name tag clipped to her scrubs. It read, Ava.
Her heart stopped. Ava. The name from the message. The name from Christian’s phone.
Alessia’s world spun as she turned on her heel and retreated to an empty waiting area. She sat heavily in a chair, her phone still clutched in her hand. Her mind raced, connecting the pieces: Christian’s lies, the flowers, the forehead kiss, and now the name. He called her Ava.
Her fingers hovered over Christian’s contact, torn between calling him again and screaming at him the moment he picked up, or confronting him face-to-face later. But the memory of him ignoring her call burned in her mind. He doesn’t deserve a warning.
The sound of a soft voice startled her, pulling her from her thoughts. “Excuse me, miss? Are you alright?”
Alessia looked up sharply to see Ava standing there, the flowers still in her hand. Her expression was warm, genuinely concerned.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Alessia lied, forcing a smile. Her voice felt like it belonged to someone else, shaky but polite.
Ava hesitated. “You looked upset. If you need help, I can—”
“No,” Alessia interrupted, shaking her head. “Thank you, but I’m okay.”
Ava gave her a small smile. “Alright. Take care.”
As Ava walked away, Alessia felt a wave of anger crash over her. She doesn’t even know. She probably has no idea Christian has a fiancée. The thought made her stomach churn. Or does she?