The hospital room still held the warmth of what had just happened.
Lila lay quietly on the bed, her head resting gently against the pillow, her fingers absentmindedly brushing against her lips. Her cheeks were still flushed, her heart beating faster than normal—not from fear this time, but from something softer… something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Ethan stood beside her, his gaze fixed on her like he was afraid she might disappear if he looked away.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
They didn't need to.
Everything they couldn't say had already been spoken in that kiss.
But reality slowly crept back in.
Ethan let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his slightly messy hair.
"I… have to go for a bit," he said reluctantly.
Lila's eyes shifted to him immediately.
"Go?" she repeated softly.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Coach called for an emergency meeting. I tried to ignore it, but…" he gave a small shrug, "you know how he is."
Lila stared at him for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Okay…" she said quietly, though her tone carried a hint of reluctance.
Ethan noticed.
Of course he did.
He moved closer, gently adjusting the blanket over her, making sure she was properly covered.
"Hey," he said softly, tilting his head to meet her eyes. "You're okay, right? No pain? You're comfortable?"
"I'm okay," she replied, giving him a small smile. "Just… don't take too long."
His lips curved slightly.
"I won't."
He turned toward Grace, who had been watching the entire scene with a soft, knowing expression.
"I'll be back as soon as I'm done with the meeting," Ethan said respectfully. "I promise."
Grace smiled warmly.
"No problem, my son."
The words came out naturally.
Effortlessly.
But the effect they had?
Immediate.
Lila's eyes widened.
Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and her cheeks instantly turned pink.
My son??
She glanced quickly at Ethan, embarrassed, unsure of what to do with that sudden wave of emotion.
Ethan caught it.
Every bit of it.
He turned his head slowly toward her, a playful glint in his eyes before giving her a subtle wink.
That one small action sent butterflies racing wildly in Lila's stomach.
Cassandra, who had been standing quietly in the background, gasped dramatically.
"Oh my God, did you just see that—"
"CASSANDRA!" Lila snapped quickly, covering her face in embarrassment.
Ethan chuckled softly under his breath.
"I'll be back in a jiffy, Lila," he said, reaching out to take her hands gently into his.
His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and firm.
He stared at her for a moment longer than necessary, his eyes soft, almost protective.
"Okay…" Lila said shyly, her voice dropping. "I'll wait."
Behind them, Cassandra and Grace exchanged looks, clearly amused.
Ethan leaned in slightly…
…and pressed a soft kiss against Lila's forehead.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't careless.
It was slow.
Intentional.
Full of meaning.
Lila closed her eyes instinctively, her breath catching slightly.
And just like that—
He pulled away and rushed out of the hospital room.
The moment the door shut—
Cassandra moved like lightning.
She ran straight to Lila's side, grabbing her hands excitedly.
"ARE YOU GUYS OFFICIAL YET?!" she burst out.
Lila jumped slightly.
"Cassie!" she protested, though a smile betrayed her.
"Well?!" Cassandra insisted, practically bouncing in place.
Lila looked down at her nails, her fingers fidgeting as she tried to hide her smile.
"Well… not yet," she admitted softly.
Cassandra froze.
"Not yet??"
Lila bit her lip slightly, then added,
"I think we're something though…"
Cassandra's eyes widened dramatically.
Then—
She squealed.
"Look at you, lucky girl!" she said, teasing. "You bagged the most handsome guy in school!"
Lila immediately covered her face.
"Stop it…"
Grace stepped forward gently.
"Well, enough, Cassie," she said with a soft chuckle. "Don't stress my baby girl."
She moved closer to Lila, placing a gentle hand on her forehead.
"No pains, sweetie? All good?"
"I'm okay, mum," Lila replied softly. "Just weak."
Grace nodded, her eyes filled with relief and gratitude.
For a moment, she just looked at her daughter.
Alive.
Safe.
Breathing.
That alone made everything worth it.
Cassandra folded her arms dramatically.
"Well," she said, pretending to be annoyed, "guess who was not weak when she was kissing her man earlier?"
Lila gasped.
"STOP, CASSANDRA!" she yelled, covering her eyes in embarrassment.
Grace couldn't help but laugh softly.
Her eyes sparkled with joy as she watched them.
She had been so scared.
So close to losing her daughter.
But now…
Seeing her like this?
Laughing. Blushing. Alive.
It meant everything.
Meanwhile…
At the basketball court, the atmosphere was serious.
The players sat around, some tired, some distracted, as the coach stood in front of them with a stern expression.
"We have something important to discuss," he began.
The chatter died down instantly.
"A group of scouts will be visiting in two weeks."
Murmurs spread across the court.
Professional scouts.
"They'll be watching you play live and direct," the coach continued. "No second chances. No excuses."
Silence followed.
"So you don't need anyone to tell you to put in your best performance that day," he finished firmly.
The meeting ended shortly after.
But as usual—
"Ethan," the coach called.
Ethan stopped, letting out a small sigh.
"Coach, I know you want to talk to me about my basketball career again," he said before the coach could even speak.
The coach smirked slightly.
"Yes," he replied. "Because you keep avoiding it."
He stepped closer.
"You're the best player I've coached so far," he said seriously. "Your progress, your skill… it can take you to the top."
Ethan looked away slightly.
"Just take it seriously for once," the coach added.
For the first time—
Ethan didn't brush it off.
He paused.
Thinking.
Maybe this is not a bad idea after all…
As he left, eager to return to Lila—
"Ethan!"
Marcus.
Ethan turned, slightly impatient.
"What's wrong, bro? I have to go."
Marcus didn't look good.
His expression was serious. Tight.
"It's about the stuff you asked me to take care of this afternoon," he said.
Ethan froze slightly.
"I've found who was behind it."
The air shifted instantly.
Ethan's face darkened.
His jaw clenched tightly.
"Who?" he asked.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Marcus took a breath.
"It was… Victoria."
Silence.
....FLASHBACK....
Marcus didn't waste time.
The moment Ethan had told him to "handle it," he already knew this wasn't something small. The way Lila collapsed… the way Ethan looked…
This wasn't an accident.
This was planned.
And Marcus was going to find out who did it.
He started at the school.
Specifically—the hallway leading to the main hall.
The same place Lila had staggered through, clutching her chest before collapsing.
The CCTV room wasn't hard to access. Marcus had friends everywhere, and after a quick favor and a serious look, the security guy let him scroll through the footage.
"Don't get me into trouble, man," the guy muttered.
"You won't," Marcus replied, eyes already glued to the screen.
The footage rolled.
Students walking.
Talking.
Nothing unusual.
Then—
There.
Lila.
Walking slowly.
Holding a bottle.
Marcus leaned forward.
"Pause."
He rewound slightly.
And then he saw it.
A girl approaching Lila.
They exchanged a few words.
The girl handed her something.
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"Zoom in."
The footage blurred slightly, but it was enough.
He didn't recognize her.
That alone was suspicious.
"Who is she?" he muttered.
The footage continued.
Lila smiled.
Opened the bottle.
Drank.
And then—
Minutes later—
Collapsed.
Marcus leaned back slowly, exhaling.
"Got you…"
Finding the girl wasn't easy.
But Marcus wasn't the type to give up.
By late afternoon, after asking around, showing screenshots, and piecing together bits of information, he finally tracked her down behind one of the quieter blocks near the school.
She was alone.
Fidgeting.
Nervous.
Like she already knew something was wrong.
Marcus walked up to her slowly.
"Hey."
She turned.
And immediately froze.
"I… I don't know you," she said quickly.
Marcus didn't smile.
"Yeah," he replied calmly. "But I know you."
Her eyes flickered with fear.
"I saw you on the CCTV," he added.
Silence.
Thick.
Heavy.
Her lips trembled slightly.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about—"
"Don't lie," Marcus cut in sharply.
She flinched.
"You gave Lila that drink," he continued, stepping closer. "And right now, she's in the hospital fighting for her life."
Her breathing hitched.
"I didn't—"
Marcus grabbed her wrist suddenly.
Not harshly.
But firmly.
"Listen to me," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If anything happens to her, you're going down for attempted murder."
Her eyes widened in panic.
"I swear, I didn't know!" she blurted out.
Marcus paused.
"…What?"
"I didn't know it was poisoned!" she cried. "She just told me to give it to her!"
"She?" Marcus asked slowly.
The girl hesitated.
Shook her head.
"I can't—"
Marcus leaned closer.
"You can," he said. "And you will."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"She said it was just a drink… that Lila liked it… she gave me money…" she stuttered.
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"Who."
The girl broke.
"…Victoria."
Silence.
Cold.
Heavy.
Marcus didn't react immediately.
But inside?
Everything clicked.
Of course.
Of course it was her.
"She made me record everything," the girl added quickly, almost desperate. "Our conversations… she said it was for safety… I didn't even understand…"
Marcus's head snapped up.
"You recorded it?"
She nodded shakily, pulling out her phone with trembling hands.
"It's all here…"
Marcus took the phone.
Scrolled.
Pressed play.
Victoria's voice filled the air.
Clear.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Make sure she drinks it."
"No mistakes."
"Don't worry, you'll be rewarded."
Marcus stopped the recording.
That was enough.
More than enough.
He handed the phone back slowly.
"Delete nothing," he said.
The girl nodded rapidly.
"I won't—I swear—"
Marcus turned and walked away.
His expression dark.
His steps fast.
Victoria…