Chapter 43
“Ellie, I know you’re upset, but I’m in a tough spot too,” Haley said, her voice cracking. “My parents agreed to let Aaron join the Owens Group, but he turned it down. He’s got his dreams, but what am I supposed to do?”
Ellie looked at Haley, the weight of the conversation sinking deep into her chest. “Everyone has dreams, Haley,” Ellie replied quietly, her voice trembling slightly. “You don’t have to agree with them, but you can’t crush them.”
She paused, gathering her thoughts, the tension between them thickening. “You and Alex are all over the news. He’s been getting into trouble, and you’re seen together everywhere. You’re still with Aaron, and yet you’re doing all this. What are you thinking?”
Haley stood frozen, overwhelmed by Ellie’s words. She glanced toward the hospital room door, then back at Ellie, tears welling up in her eyes. Without saying another word, she rushed into the elevator, her sobs echoing through the hall as the doors closed.
As the elevator descended, Alex stepped into the hallway, catching sight of Haley’s tear-streaked face. His gaze immediately snapped to Ellie.
“Haley?” he called out, his voice sharp. “What did you say to her?”
Ellie didn’t respond. She kept her head down, walking past him, her emotions a silent storm.
Alex, clearly irritated, grabbed her arm. “I’m asking you, what did you say to her?”
Ellie looked up at him then, her expression unreadable. “If you want to know, go ask her yourself.”
“Ellie,” Alex growled, his grip tightening on her arm. Ellie winced but didn’t flinch. She remained calm, staring back at him with a defiant look.
The tension between them was palpable, but Ellie didn’t budge. Finally, Alex took a deep breath, trying to regain control over his emotions. “Ellie, listen,” he said, his voice now strained with frustration. “No matter what you do for Aaron, I’m going to be with Haley.”
Without waiting for her response, he released her arm and stormed back to his hospital room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Ellie let out a small, bitter smile. If she could truly help Aaron, he wouldn’t be in this mess. But she couldn’t fix everything.
She made her way to the duty room, feeling drained. The weight of everything was pressing down on her, but she still had a job to do. She left the hospital promptly at the end of her shift.
Just after 8 PM, after taking a shower and preparing to relax, Ellie’s phone buzzed. It was Nancy.
“Ellie, I need you to stay at the hospital overnight and look after Alex. Carlos isn’t feeling well, and I need to go home. Can you please stay with him?”
Ellie hesitated, the exhaustion from the day still hanging over her, but when Nancy mentioned Carlos, Ellie couldn’t say no. Reluctantly, she agreed.
As she changed into fresh clothes, her mind drifted to the pink diamond necklace Alex had left in her closet. She grabbed it absentmindedly and slipped it into her bag before heading back to the hospital.
When she arrived in Alex’s room, he was lying in bed, scrolling through his phone, a frown on his face.
“Where’s my dinner?” Alex asked, glancing up as she entered, clearly disappointed when he saw her empty hands.
Ellie stood by his bed, her expression unreadable, and pulled the necklace out of her bag, placing it on his pillow.
“Here’s your necklace,” she said flatly, her voice lacking emotion.
Alex picked up the necklace, his fingers tracing its delicate design, and his piercing eyes met hers. “Ellie, this isn’t a trinket; it’s worth millions. If you want it, just say so. I don’t play games.”
Ellie met his gaze, the mix of mockery and sarcasm in his eyes only fueling her frustration. She didn’t say anything, but the bitter taste of their exchange lingered in the air.
The tension was thick, and neither one of them moved. They were caught in a battle of wills, neither willing to be the first to back down.
