Lost Me Gained Regret

Dailey's head was pounding, a sharp contrast to how he felt after chugging a bottle of water earlier, thinking it would help. Now, his blood pressure seemed to skyrocket with frustration, blurring his vision slightly.

He was about to say something when Christine yanked her hand away from his grip.

He reached for her again, only to grasp at thin air.

Then, suddenly, the world went dark, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

Instinctively, Christine reached out to catch him!

It wasn't because he was Dailey; she would've done the same for anyone collapsing in front of her.

"Quit playing, get up or I'm letting go. You'll face-plant right into the dirt, and don't you dare blame me for it!"

Christine threatened to release her hold, sensing Dailey was genuinely about to fall.

Gritting her teeth, she managed to support him, despite her strength being limited. She called out to Merritt, "Lend me a hand here."

Merritt was reluctant but took Dailey from Christine's arms, tempted for a moment to just drop him.

But he couldn't ruin his image in front of Christine.

"Chris, what's wrong with him?"

Christine touched Dailey's forehead.

Wow!

He was burning up.

How long has it been, and he's still running a fever?

And he hasn't been treated at a hospital yet? Does he want to end up with pneumonia or something worse? "Merritt, looks like we need to get him to the hospital."

Just as Merritt was about to agree, the Clarkson family's driver rushed over, "Ms. Jackson, let me take him."

Christine was more than happy to pass the hot potato, "Take him straight to the hospital."

The driver took Dailey, not having the time to ponder what had transpired between Dailey and Christine.

The immediate priority was to get him to the hospital before the Clarkson family caught wind of the situation, risking his job. "Thank you, Ms. Jackson."

Christine felt awkward accepting thanks but didn't dwell on it, simply responding in kind.

Once the driver had left, she turned to Merritt, "You should head back too. Let me know when you're home."

Merritt felt it was a shame. If he

could stayed the night, he

would only have been able to make a small dent in his pursuit of

Christine.

But he wasn't in a rush; he planned to show Christine his best side, making her fall for him eventually.

"I'll wait till you're inside before I catch a cab."

Christine had never felt this way before.

Up until now, she'd been on her own, fighting to crawl out of the darkness.

But emerging only to find herself still enveloped in it, she had considered giving up, thinking death might be easier than enduring such torment.

Perhaps in her next life, she'd be born into a happy family.

It was

livine Who had pulled her from

the

guiding her back to

gher the courage

Over the years, whenever Christine looked back, Jane was there.

But Jane had her own life to live now, and Christine couldn't keep her in the shadows forever.

Today, Merritt seemed to have stepped into Jane's shoes, ensuring Christine's path was always safe and illuminated.

She would never have to walk alone in the dark again.

Yet, she wasn't fooled by appearances.

She knew there could be others like Merritt out there.

Their relationship began on a casual note, and Christine understood she might never fall for Merritt because...

At that thought, she chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Such is human nature.

Always desiring the one who shows no interest, enduring endless pain for an unreciprocated love.

How absurd.

Still, Christine waved goodbye to Merritt.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She hurried home and texted him.

"Head back, it's getting cold out."

"Let me know when you're home."

Merritt replied with a cute emoji, then hailed a cab.

Upon reaching home, he didn't even bother changing his shoes before rushing to message Christine.

"Chris, I'm home. Please go to sleep, goodnight."