Chapter 7 — The Line That Shouldn't Be Crossed
Millar didn't go far.
Even after stepping out—
he stayed in the hallway.
His phone screen was on.
But the call…
never started.
"…I can't leave her like this."
He leaned against the wall, eyes slightly closed.
This wasn't part of the story.
No—
this was something worse.
Something he created.
A Chloe who didn't get abandoned.
A Chloe who didn't lose hope.
A Chloe who…
held on too tightly.
"…I need to fix this early."
Because if it continued—
he already knew.
It wouldn't end well.
Inside the room—
Chloe hadn't moved.
Her eyes were still on the door.
Waiting.
Counting.
Every second he was gone—
felt longer than it should.
He said he'd come back soon.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the bedsheet.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
…Too slow.
Her chest tightened slightly.
A feeling she didn't like.
Uncertainty.
The door opened.
Millar stepped back in.
"I'm back."
The moment he entered—
Chloe's expression changed.
Soft again.
Warm again.
As if nothing had happened before.
"You're late."
"…It's been two minutes."
"That's late."
Millar sighed quietly.
"…You're impossible."
But he walked closer anyway.
Sat beside her.
Just like before.
Chloe watched him carefully.
"…You came back."
"…I said I would."
A pause.
Then—
"…What if one day you don't?"
The question came suddenly.
Millar frowned slightly.
"…That won't happen."
"You don't know that."
Her voice remained calm.
But her eyes—
didn't look away.
"What if something more important appears?"
"Nothing will."
A quick answer.
Too quick.
Chloe noticed.
"…You're lying."
Millar stiffened slightly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
She leaned a little closer.
"Because there are many things more important than me."
Silence.
"…Work."
"…Family."
"…Your future."
Each word—
soft.
Measured.
"But you still came back."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Which means…"
Her hand slowly reached out.
Holding his sleeve.
"…you chose me."
Millar felt it again.
That pressure.
Invisible.
But tightening.
"…Chloe."
His tone was lower now.
"You're overthinking."
"Am I?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Then promise me."
"…What?"
"That you'll always choose me."
The room went silent.
Completely silent.
Millar didn't answer immediately.
Because he knew—
This wasn't a simple promise.
This wasn't something light.
If he said yes—
There would be no turning back.
"…I can't promise that."
The words fell quietly.
But heavily.
Chloe froze.
Just for a second.
Then—
"…I see."
Her hand loosened.
Slowly slipping from his sleeve.
But her expression—
didn't change.
Still calm.
Still soft.
"…That's okay."
She smiled faintly.
"I don't need a promise."
Millar frowned slightly.
Something about that—
felt worse.
Because her eyes—
didn't match her words.
If you won't promise…
Her thoughts continued silently.
Then I'll make it true.
Not by asking.
Not by waiting.
But by ensuring—
He would never have another choice.
Later that night—
Andru stood outside the hospital again.
Watching the dim light from Chloe's room.
"…Still there."
He already knew.
Millar hadn't left.
Not even once.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"…So this is how it changes."
In the original story—
He was the one inside.
The one who stayed.
The one who was chosen in the end.
But now—
That place belonged to someone else.
And for the first time—
Andru didn't step away immediately.
He stood there.
A little longer than usual.
As if wondering—
Whether he should.
Or not.