Chapter 4 Abandoned in the Storm

The wind outside grew louder, and the raindrops pounded against the windows like stones.

The hurricane had arrived.

I drew the curtains and checked my suitcase one last time.

My flight to Bluming Town was scheduled for three o'clock the next afternoon. As long as I made it through tonight, I could finally leave this city that was filled with memories of James.

However, fate seemed to have other plans.

That night, the hotel suddenly lost power. I had just picked up my phone in the darkness when a shrill, piercing roar rushed toward me.

A deafening crash echoed through the room. The enormous floor-to-ceiling window had been smashed apart by something hurled through the air by the violent wind.

In that split second, a violent gust mixed with the rain instantly poured into the room, sending the entire bed and its blankets flying.

Instinctively, I threw up my arm to shield my face, but I was too late as a sharp pain shot through my calf.

I let out a muffled groan and collapsed onto the rain-soaked carpet.

Using the faint light from my phone, I saw a shard of glass that was about the size of my palm had pierced deep into my right calf.

Red slowly spread across the carpet, mixing with the rainwater.

My entire body trembled, and cold sweat trickled down from my face.

Fighting through the pain, I dialed 911.

The line rang for what felt like forever before someone finally answered. Unfortunately, the dispatcher explained that their ambulances could not come over as the hurricane had brought down countless trees and flooded major roads. They told me to stop the bleeding as best I could and find a way to reach the nearest hospital on my own.

The blood kept flowing, and my vision grew blurrier with every passing second.

The hotel's landline had become useless after the blackout.

Outside, the hallway was filled with the howl of the wind, pounding rain, and the frightened cries of other guests.

With trembling fingers, I scrolled through my contacts.

I had no family in this city.

Soon, my finger stopped on James' name.

As I waited for him to answer, my consciousness gradually began to fade.

Soon, the call connected.

"James…" I called out weakly. Tears mixed with rainwater as they ran into my mouth, and they tasted bitter.

The very next second, Serene's frightened scream pierced my ears.

"James! The thunder is so scary! Hug me, please. I'm scared!"

Immediately afterward, James' voice came through the phone, overflowing with panic and tenderness.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'm holding you. You're safe now."

My breathing tightened.

Strangely, I could not feel any heartache anymore.

"Hello? Maria?" Only then did James seem to realize I was the one calling, and his tone instantly turned impatient.

"Why are you calling me in the middle of the night? Is this your idea of making up? If you're not going to say anything, I'm hanging up."

Every breath I took sent pain through my body.

"James, the hotel window shattered, and a piece of glass is stuck in my leg. I'm bleeding a lot. I can't get an ambulance. Can you please come help me?"

Silence hung on the other end for two seconds before James sneered coldly.

"Maria, have you lost your mind?" His voice was filled with disbelief and reproach. "There's a Level 10 hurricane outside right now! I can't believe you made up such a lie just to trick me into coming over. If the hotel window really shattered, couldn't you ask the front desk for help? Do you seriously have to pull these pathetic little stunts for attention at a time like this?"

"I'm not lying. I really—"

"Enough!" James cut me off brutally.

As another delicate cry from Serene sounded in the background, his voice immediately softened as he comforted her. "It's okay."

Then, he spoke coldly into the phone again. "Serene has been afraid of thunder ever since she was little. The power's out here too, so I can't leave right now. You're a grown woman. Can you stop pretending to be pitiful every time something happens? If you keep acting this unreasonably, then there's really no point in us being together."

Then he hung up without giving me another chance to explain.