I Did Not Go To You For My Hundredth Step

The wind was so strong that it stung my eyes.

I walked in the opposite direction for a long time. At some point, I reached a bridge over a river.

A year ago, right at this very spot, I stopped Simone Carson from jumping into the river.

She had been crying about the man she loved finding someone else.

Like a fool, I comforted her and spent an hour in the cold by the river.

When Zachary Guzman got my call, he drove over.

He was usually very reserved with women, but he had picked up Simone without a second thought.

I had been stupid and only felt worried. I never noticed how practiced that movement had been, like he had done it countless times.

Besides that, I also failed to notice the complicated looks passing between them.

My stomach churned.

I leaned against the railing and bent over. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

A kind-hearted passerby came over and asked after me.

I waved the concern off and said that I was fine.

The phone in my pocket suddenly started vibrating.

It was Zachary. He was very particular and demanded that I check in with him every night at 10 p.m.

After answering the call, I heard him ask coolly, "Why did you take so long to answer?"

The passerby was still hanging around. He asked before I could say a thing, "Are you really alright? You look really pale."

Zachary immediately sounded nervous. "Is there a man with you? What are you doing exactly, Helena?"

I smiled gratefully at the man. "It’s alright, I’ll be fine."

After the passerby left, I said into the phone, "He’s a stranger. I don’t even know him."

But Zachary’s tone got even colder and harsher.

"Turn on your camera. I want to see you now, Helena. Don’t disappoint me."

"Am I a criminal to you, Zachary?"

Tears stung my eyes.

Zachary was the one who had embraced Simone. He was the one who had been lying to me all along.

That was the reason why he thought I would do the exact thing he had.

Zachary went quiet.

A long pause later, I heard the sound of a lighter flaring through the line.

Zachary said, "Do whatever you want then. I don’t want to bother with all this anymore."

The line went dead.

While I was in a daze, snowflakes fell onto the screen, melting into water.

The discomfort in my stomach lessened, and I kept moving forward.

But then, my legs went weak, and I fell to the ground.

The next time I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at a white ceiling. My nose was filled with the smell of disinfectant.

I heard Simone’s delighted voice.

"Helena, you’re finally awake! I bet you didn’t know that I thought it was a scam when the nurse called me. It’s so great that you’re alright."

I turned and looked at Simone.

The concern she had for me shone so sincerely in her eyes.

It was no wonder Zachary never told me about his ex-wife and never allowed me to ask too much about his past.

His ex-wife was my best friend.

Simone brought forward a bowl of hot soup.

"The doctor said you collapsed from work stress and not having frequent meals. I’ll be taking care of you today. You have to finish this bowl of soup."

As she said this, the door of the ward opened.

Zachary first glanced at Simone before looking at me.

"I didn’t know you were unwell last night."

This was Zachary’s attempt at an apology.

I did not acknowledge it.

Simone scooped up a spoonful of the soup and blew on it before bringing it to my mouth.

"Zachary made this himself. It’s garlic and spinach soup. You’ll feel so much better once you have it."

"I don’t want any."

Zachary’s expression became chilly.

"Don’t be rude, Helena. Simone isn’t obligated to take care of you."

I looked at him and shot back, "I’m allergic to garlic. Didn’t you two know that?"

Zachary was stunned.

Simone’s hand froze in midair for a second. Then, she smiled warmly and tried to mediate the situation. "Don’t be mad, Helena. I’ll buy you some soup from the cafeteria."

Zachary followed behind her. "Rest for now, then. I’m going out for a smoke."

The door clicked shut.

I ripped the needle from the back of my hand, and a bead of blood rolled down my finger.

Pushing open the ward door, I heard crying coming from the emergency hallway.