Chapter 2

I ended up going to Mercy Hospital after all. The burn on my right leg had already been bandaged, but the burning pain in my throat was growing more intense by the minute.

"Ms. Nolan, you have sustained moderate burns to your airway. We need to admit you immediately for treatment."

The doctor handed me a pen.

"We usually don't allow patients to sign the waiver themselves, as it involves assuming responsibility for any subsequent risks. It's best if you can ask a family member to come over and sign it for you."

My fingers trembled uncontrollably. "Can't I just sign it myself?"

The doctor shook his head solemnly.

I got my phone out and pulled up Tyler's number. However, before I could call him, hurried footsteps sounded from the hallway.

"Cassie! Why is your leg all wrapped up like that?"

Jennifer came running, panting for breath. With trembling hands, she pulled an exquisite box from her pocket and pressed it into my hands.

"Cassie, I know you're upset about what happened at the fire, but Tyler only saved me first because he was afraid my asthma would act up…"

She hurriedly opened the box. Inside it was the diamond necklace Tyler had ordered six months ago.

"He specifically asked me to bring this to appease you. He said you'd probably still be angry."

I stared at the glittering necklace, finding the whole situation ridiculous.

"If he doesn't want to come and talk to me himself, you don't need to put on this act for him," I said.

"It's not an act!"

Tyler strode toward us. The moment he saw how pale I was, a hint of concern flashed across his eyes.

"How did you manage to get yourself into such a state? Didn't I tell you to just get it bandaged at a nearby clinic?"

That gentle tenderness in his eyes had once been something I took pride in. I thought it was something reserved exclusively for me. Now, it only made my stomach churn.

"The doctor said I have moderate burns to my airway and need a family member to sign my waiver."

I avoided his touch and pushed the form toward him. "Sign it."

Sighing, Tyler took the pen. "Oh, fine. I'll sign it. You shouldn't do this to yourself anymore. It breaks my heart too, you know?"

He was just about to put pen to paper when Jennifer suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit, her whole body swaying unsteadily.

"Tyler… I-I can't breathe…"

Almost instinctively, Tyler turned and pulled Jennifer into his arms.

"Jenny? Did inhaling all that smoke trigger your asthma again? Where's your medicine? Take deep breaths. Look at me. Don't be scared!"

I silently watched his frantic display before reminding him, "Tyler, sign the form first."

Tyler turned toward me. "Cassie, your airway burns don't count as an emergency. Jenny's asthma can't wait. It could be life-threatening."

So in his eyes, even though my life was hanging in the balance, too, I was just being jealous and difficult on purpose. Only my willingness to give in and make no demands of him could prove that I was a reasonable person.

Leaning against Tyler, Jennifer looked at me with reddened eyes. In between labored breaths, she said, "Cassie… I-I'll find a doctor myself… I won't get in the way of you two…"

"Don't move!" Tyler immediately tightened his arms around her. Then he looked up at me, his gaze now turning cold. "Cassidy Nolan, enough is enough!"

He scooped Jennifer up and rushed toward the other end of the emergency room. The diamond necklace fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

I looked at the form, now stained with ink, and crumpled it into a ball.

"Get me another waiver to sign, doctor. I can't get in touch with any family members, so I'll just be responsible for my own life."