The four of them are now in the hospital as the doctors take care of Andrew. Ben sits next to Ann as he knows he will be blamed for what happened. Though he is convinced he didn’t do anything, the stares he received at the gym and even at the hospital made him anxious. Before he could say a word Ann begins to speak.

“What on earth was that, Ben!”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb with me!” Ann says sounding agitated. “Why did you fight him like that? You’re a professional and you didn’t even go easy on him.”

“Hey, I did go easy on him,” Ben defends. “And let me make one thing clear I did not put him in this condition. I didn’t hurt him in any way.”

“Ben, you tired the guy out so much he passed out,” Tom says standing next to him, irritating Ben as he avoids eye contact with his best friend.

“Good news, he’s not dead,” Emma says walking up to the group after talking to the doctor. “Looks like he’s good to be your punching bag after a while, right Ben?” Ben’s jaw drops as the trio stare at him. He doesn’t want to admit it but he may have overdone it.

“Do you think he’ll remember anything else now?” Ben asks hoping for a positive answer only to be ignored.

“He was just exhausted wasn’t he,” Ann asks.

“Yes,” Emma replies. “It was almost like he didn’t pass out. Just fell asleep.” Emma and Ann talk and they decide to go get some medicines for Andrew while Tom and Ben stay put.

“What’s wrong with Ben?” Ann remarks in annoyance. “He really shouldn’t behave this way. I’d expect him to learn but no.”

“Ann but what about you?” Emma asks. “I saw the way you reacted when Andrew was unconscious. I understand if Ben’s jealous, or even if he thinks this guy is your ex.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“What do you mean?” Ann asks feigning ignorance.

“Ann, you truly believe this guy is your ex, don’t you,” Emma says after a pause. “Ann, you know Ben can be the jealous type. Not to mention his last relationship ended so badly, I understand why he would be envious of Andrew.”

“It’s not like that,” Ann says. “I love Ben and he knows that.”

“But you can’t forget this Nicholas either?”

Ann is left in thought as she tries to make sense of her own feelings.

‘I know I love Ben. And I know I convinced myself that Nicholas is just an old chapter but…. Ever since Andrew has entered their lives, a lot of old feeling had begun to come up. I would never hurt Ben, but I don’t want to see Nicholas hurt either.’

“Just give me the medicine!” A familiar and aggravating voice brings Ann back as she sees Kane, standing tall as he demands, while he grips his arm in pain.

“Kane,” Ann says as she approaches the man who looks unhappy to see her. “What happened to your arm?”

“Nothing, just got reckless,” he says as he pulls down his sleeve trying to hide his blood-covered arm.

“That looks bad,” Emma says. “You should get that checked.”

“I’m alright.”

“No, you are not,” Emma says as she aggressively pulls up his sleeve to reveal his injured arm.

“I said stop!” he shouts pulling his sleeve down aggressively. “Where’re the meds!” As the pharmacist places them on the counter, Kane throws the money and rushes out the front door.

“What was that about?” Emma asks unshaken as she couldn’t help but notice, his arm looks like he had an object removed from it.

“I don’t know, I just hope he’ll talk about it,” Ann says sighing pondering on his strange behaviour.

“Well, he doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s for sure,” Emma remarks.

“You ok,” Ann asks for the sake of being polite, knowing nothing so small could affect the toughest woman she knows. The cashier looks hesitant to take the money, noticing some of it has the man’s blood stains on it. Emma hands him a note and takes the blood-stained money as change. The two women pretend as if nothing happened and proceed to buy the medicine.

They go back and find Andrew is now awake.

“How are you feeling?” Emma asks.

“Little tired,” Andrew says as he chuckles.

“Glad you’re ok,” Tom says as Ben nods, both standing in the corner of the room.

“I am actually embarrassed,” Andrew admits. “To think I passed out just from about an hour of sports. I don’t think I’m that weak, am I?”

“You’re not,” Ann replies. “You’re just in a delicate state, that’s all.”

“If you want you can slowly try and get your strength back,” Emma says. “Just bit by bit if you exercise and work out, you’ll soon be back to normal.”

“Your right,” Andrew says. “What do you think Ben? Can you help me out with that?”