ett

months ago, sounded cheerful, almost teasing. It was a stark contrast to the icy demeanor she' d given me in the hospital

e begged me. But the thought of her, so cold, so distant, walking away from me, from us,

to figure out her appointment time. She'd always been so particular about her schedule. I slammed the car into reverse

ir own worlds, staring at their phones or flipping through magazines. It was almost... private. N

t of flowers. She looked smaller, more fragile than I remembered from the corridor. My ch

s muffled by the soft carpet. "Alayna,"

second before they shuttered, becoming blank again. "Wha

and times before. "I knew you were still here," I said, trying for a casual, reassur

alk sense into me,' Jarrett. And I'm certainly not here because I'm w

's just work. Method acting." I saw her eyes narrow, a flicker of the old fire. "You're just jealous, babe. It happens. But you don't have to brea

al matter, Jarrett. Nothing to do with you or your... co-star." She g

than us? What could be so urgent that you decide to break up with me over text, then refuse to answer my c

from a nearby speaker. "

on desk. Her name was there, glowing in bright white let

ed. Psychiatry

ers still clutched in her hand. S

? What's going on?" My voice was rough with a sudden, genuine fear. The anger, the frustration, all of i

esignation? Pain? I couldn't tell. I just knew, instinctively, that this was far more serious than one

my voice desperate now. "What's

id open. She yanked her wrist free, slipped inside, and closed the door firmly behind h

th a sinking feeling that I had just los