Chapter 3
Ellie turned to face him, their eyes locking. The tension in the air was palpable, and the mocking smirk on Alex’s face was unmistakable.
Soaked to the bone, Ellie struggled to find her footing under the awning. Before she could steady herself, Alex pushed her back out into the rain.
She stumbled, crashing onto the pavement, the shock and pain written across her face.
The shove had caught her off guard. Ellie knew Alex could be harsh, but he had never actually hurt her before. Seeing him push her down like that, just to impress Haley, made it clear how deep his feelings for her ran.
Alex loomed over her, his expression dark and intense. “Is this why you’re not helping me?” he demanded, his voice low and threatening.
Ellie clenched her hands in the muddy water as she struggled to rise, wanting to escape the rain. She wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity, but standing out in the rain to talk to him was the last thing she wanted.
Covered in mud and looking a mess, she quickly checked the scrapes on her arms, then pulled an alcohol wipe from her bag to clean them.
“Seriously? A little scrape and you’re making such a big deal out of it?” His voice was cold and laced with sarcasm.
Ellie looked up, meeting his gaze. Despite her best efforts to hold back her emotions, her eyes welled up. She knew her place, but hearing it from him still hurt.
The dangerous look in Alex’s eyes made her uneasy, but since he already knew, she figured it was better to be honest. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Haley is Aaron’s girlfriend. They’re happy together, and they’re about to meet the parents.”
Alex laughed, sharp and mocking. “What does your brother have that could compete with me?”
“Aaron doesn’t need to compete because Haley likes him,” Ellie shot back, her voice rising with urgency.
Alex looked at her like she’d just told the funniest joke. “Haley’s bags alone cost a fortune. What can your brother possibly offer her?”
Ellie was at a loss for words. Aaron was juggling his job at a law firm while pursuing his PhD, sending most of his paycheck home to their parents. Since he started dating Haley, he had been saving for ages just to take her out to a regular restaurant, let alone buy her anything nice.
“Even if she’s your brother’s girlfriend, you still have to help me,” Alex insisted. “Set up a meeting with Haley for tomorrow morning.”
His commanding tone made Ellie feel both anxious and angry. But her frustration gave her unexpected courage. She met his gaze without flinching. “You know Haley is with Aaron. Why should I help you? If you really like her, go after her yourself. You know where she lives.”
Alex seemed taken aback by her boldness, but it didn’t take long for his arrogance to resurface. With a proud look, he said, “The more she’s with your brother, the more I want to win her over.”
“Ellie, the less you want to help me, the more I want you to help,” he added, the challenge clear in his voice.
“I won’t help you,” she replied firmly, then turned and dashed into the rain.
Alex watched her, a smirk tugging at his lips. He was a wild spirit, impossible to tame. Even his grandfather Carlos had ended up in the hospital several times a year because of him.
In the past, Ellie had always been obedient, but this time, she wasn’t going to follow his lead anymore.
As she ran into the rain, Alex smirked to himself. Ellie, what do you think you can use to stand up to me? Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and sent a text.
Ellie trudged back to her apartment, feeling every bit of the day’s weight. She managed a quick shower, her hair still wet as she flopped into bed and flicked off the lights.
Sleep should have come easy, but instead, she was haunted by the memory of Alex’s disdainful look and his harsh words. She’d braced herself for the worst when it came to him, but the idea of him going head-to-head with her brother over a girl—and then asking for her help? It was too much.
She could have had her pick of guys, many of them great catches, but her heart had other ideas.
Sleep eluded her, and she woke up early, heading to the hospital as usual. Like any adult facing a tough day, she put on a game face, ready to juggle whatever life threw her way.
“Morning, everyone,” she chirped, greeting her coworkers with a forced brightness.
One of her colleagues gave her a sympathetic look. “Ellie, word is the Professor Bell assistant gig is gone. They want you in the director’s office.”
Exiting the director’s office, Ellie kept her cool, hastily gathering her things. Just yesterday, everything had been fine. Today, she was told the internship was a no-go and that she should just wait for a call. It was a polite way of saying she was out of a job.
Recalling Alex’s resolute expression from the night before, she felt a pang of heartache. For Haley, he’d really put her in a tight spot. It was a lot to process, but Ellie knew she had to find a way to move forward.
Ellie emerged from the hospital’s outpatient building, her outfit as unassuming as ever: gray, loose-fitting pants and a crisp white top with sleeves that hit midway between her shoulder and elbow.
Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, and a canvas bag hung casually over one shoulder. It wasn’t a look that turned heads, but it was one of the few ensembles she felt comfortable wearing out in the world.
The morning sun was a bit too intense for her taste, so she used her bag to shield her eyes, the brightness stinging her nose. She glanced back at the hospital, hesitating for a moment, not wanting to leave.
It was supposed to be a big day for her—her first time in the operating room. But now, with her job gone, even the celebratory dinner her brother and Haley had planned felt like a distant dream.
Pushing her sadness aside, Ellie started the walk to her apartment, the sun’s rays beating down on her. There was a silver sports car parked by the curb. Its sleek body seemed to glow in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the rain from the night before.
Alex was inside, one hand holding a cigarette, the other resting on the window frame, sweat glistening on his forehead, darkening his shirt in patches.
