CHAPTER FOUR—DID I INTERRUPT ANYTHING?

CHLOE

"What the hell is going on? What is he doing here?!"

The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them.

Sterling stood at the entrance to my ward, his hand gripping the door handle. The quiet guy who had brought me fruit minutes ago now looked ready for a fight.

"There you are!" Jace shouted, pointing at Sterling. "You think you can attack me in my own apartment and walk away like nothing happened?"

My heart pounded.

Attack him?

My eyes dropped to Sterling's injured knuckles and the torn collar of his shirt.

Had they fought because of me?

"Sir, you need to calm down!" a nurse called from behind Jace. "You're disturbing other patients."

"I don't care!" Jace snapped. "That bastard came into my apartment and punched me! I'm not leaving until he answers for it!"

Sterling stepped away from the door.

"Keep my name out of your mouth."

Jace laughed bitterly. "Or what? You're going to hit me again?"

I stared at them, struggling to understand what was happening.

"Sterling," I called softly.

He glanced back at me, but before I could speak, Jace stormed toward the ward.

"You think you can hide behind hospital staff? Come outside! Let's finish this!"

Two hospital security officers hurried over and grabbed him by the arms.

"Sir, you need to come with us."

"Get your hands off me!" Jace struggled. "Do you know who I am?"

"You're disrupting patient care. Please cooperate."

Jace twisted around, glaring at Sterling.

"This isn't over! You hear me? THIS IS NOT OVER!"

Sterling said nothing as the guards escorted Jace down the corridor.

When his voice finally faded, I released a shaky breath.

I hated that Jace could still frighten me. Even after everything he'd done, the sound of his voice was enough to make my heart race.

I looked at Sterling.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm fine."

Then I noticed the dried blood covering his knuckles.

The nurse was still nearby.

"Could you please help him? His hand is injured."

The nurse examined his knuckles from a distance.

"I'd recommend getting that wound cleaned to reduce the risk of infection."

"It's really not necessary," Sterling replied.

"Even a small cut needs proper care."

He sighed. "Okay. I'll get it treated."

Before the nurse could say anything else, my mother hurried into the ward, clutching her handbag.

"Chloe? Honey, I heard shouting from the hallway. What happened?"

"I'm okay, Mom."

She came straight to my bedside, examining my face with worried eyes.

"Are you sure? I heard someone yelling about a fight."

The nurse answered before I could.

"Your daughter is safe, ma'am. Security has escorted the gentleman away."

My mother nodded, relieved.

Then the nurse glanced at Sterling.

"Oh, I should introduce you to the young man who brought your daughter to the hospital."

My mother's head turned sharply.

"What?"

"This is the student who found Chloe that night. He called 911 and stayed here until the medical team confirmed she was stable."

My mother stared at Sterling, momentarily speechless.

Then she approached him.

"Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much for helping my daughter. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't found her."

Sterling shifted uncomfortably.

"Anyone would have helped."

"Perhaps, but you were the one who did."

I looked at him, my eyes beginning to blur with tears.

"Thank you, Sterling."

He finally met my gaze.

"How are you feeling now?"

How was I supposed to feel?

My body was slowly recovering, but my heart felt shattered. I'd lost my baby, my boyfriend had betrayed me, and my best friend had become someone I could barely recognize.

"I'm getting better," I answered quietly.

He nodded. "That's good."

He seemed to have more to say, but the words never came.

I wondered why he cared so much about someone he barely knew.

Before I could ask him anything, my mother took my hand.

"Chloe, sweetheart, there's something I've been thinking about."

I immediately became suspicious.

"What is it, Mom?"

"I think you should consider transferring to another college."

I stared at her.

"What?"

"Riverside College is closer to home. I would feel better knowing you weren't so far away."

"Mom, no!"

"Chloe, you nearly died! You were alone in that apartment, bleeding. I can't stop thinking about what could have happened if Sterling hadn't found you."

"I know what happened, Mom," I whispered. "I was there."

Her expression softened.

"Oh, sweetheart."

She reached for me, but I turned my face away, blinking back tears.

"I don't want to leave my college."

My mother squeezed my hand.

"I just want you to be safe."

"I know, but I want my life back too."

Silence filled the ward.

Then Sterling spoke.

"Why should she have to leave?"

My mother and I turned toward him.

"She didn't do anything wrong," he continued. "Why should she lose her college and everything she's worked for because of him?"

I hadn't expected the quiet boy from my Chemistry class to defend me, especially against my own mother.

My mother sighed.

"We don't have to decide today. You're still recovering. We'll discuss it when you're feeling stronger."

I nodded.

My mother checked her handbag.

"I'm going to speak with the doctor about your medication. I'll be right back."

She kissed my forehead before leaving the ward.

For a moment, Sterling and I were alone.

I wanted to ask him about Jace. I wanted to know why they'd fought.

But before I could speak, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

"Good evening, everyone."

My entire body went still.

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I turned toward the door.

Jenna stood there, holding a small bouquet of flowers. She wore a pink sweater and fitted jeans, her hair perfectly arranged. She looked like a concerned friend visiting someone in the hospital.

Almost convincing.

Almost.

Her eyes moved from me to the empty chair beside my bed before settling on Sterling.

A slow smile spread across her face, like she was proud of what she did.

"Did I interrupt anything?"