บททั้งหมดของ To Me, My Ex Is Dead: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Only then did Nikki notice the note attached to the second friend request.“This is Dave Xander.”So it was him.Dave was about to become one of the hospital’s associate chief medical officers and oversee the ER. It wasn’t strange for him to add one of the doctors in the department.“It’s fine,” Nikki said into the phone. “The other request is from a colleague.”“Then talk to Luke and see how it goes. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just think of it as making a new friend. He is a second-year graduate student in the acting program at my film school, and he has plenty going for him. Being handsome is honestly one of the least interesting things about him. You can get to know him slowly.”“Okay.”After hanging up, Nikki accepted Luke White’s request first. Then she accepted Dave’s.By then, she was already on the subway.Her fingers hovered over the screen as she considered how to start the conversation.Before she could decide, both men messaged her first.Luke’s mes

Luke had given her an excellent seat.It was in the center of the front row.Nikki held up her ticket, walked into the theater, and found her seat.The auditorium was enormous. A crystal chandelier hung from the domed ceiling, and the curtain was still closed. A single blue light washed across the center of the stage.She opened the program and found the cast list.The Pilot: Luke WhiteShe looked at his headshot.He looked young and fresh-faced, with unusually clear, thoughtful eyes.“Wow, that actor is really handsome.”A few girls behind her were whispering excitedly.“Is he the one playing the Pilot? His photo is in the program.”“He is. I am definitely getting his autograph after the show.”Nikki didn’t turn around but then she caught sight of someone stepping out from the wings.Luke was wearing a flight jacket, half-zipped over a white collared shirt. His dark hair fell naturally across his forehead, catching the stage lights with a soft sheen.He glanced toward th

The leather armrest gave a faint creak beneath Sean’s grip.He had both hands wrapped around it, one clasped tightly over the other. His thumbs pressed together as though he were forcing himself to stay still.Eli sat between Sean and Vivian, watching the play with complete attention. Every so often, he leaned toward Vivian and whispered a question.“Mom, why did the Little Prince leave his rose?”“Because he was foolish,” Vivian said softly. But at this distance, Nikki could hear every word. “He didn’t understand what truly mattered.”Nikki’s fingers twitched.He didn’t understand what truly mattered.She thought of seven years ago, when she and Sean had watched the same play together.He had told her, “I’ll not leave you.”Then he had.Onstage, the Little Prince met the pilot.“Why did you leave your rose?” the pilot asked.“I was too young to understand how to love her,” the Little Prince said.The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.The silence to Nikk

Vivian’s voice came from behind them, soft and wounded.She pushed through the crowd and slipped her arm through his. Her gaze dropped to the damp tissues in his hand, then to the water stain on Nikki’s dress. Her eyes were bright with tears, though none of them fell.“Honey, I called you three times, and you didn’t even answer me.” Her voice was gentle, but edged with complaint. “And if Dr. Sanders’s dress got wet, you could have told me. I would have helped her. It’s not really appropriate for you to be doing that.”She turned to Nikki with the same polished smile.“Dr. Sanders, I’m sorry. Eli can be such a handful. Sean and I will talk to him when we get home.”Nikki started to walk away.Vivian stepped forward and blocked the only clear path.“Next time you come to the theater, you should bring someone with you,” she said, her tone full of patronizing concern. “It can be inconvenient to be alone when something happens. Look around. Everyone here came with a date or family, l

Nikki kept walking as though she hadn’t noticed. She turned her head and looked toward the streetlights in the distance.The cherry blossoms were in full bloom that March. A few pale pink petals drifted down in the wind, spinning beneath the lights.“I didn’t get the chance to thank you back there.”Sean’s voice came from beside her, rough with emotion.Nikki said nothing.He stood two steps away, not too close, not too far.The night wind carried his familiar scent toward her.“I’m heading that way,” he said after a pause. “Let me give you a ride.”“I’m waiting for someone.”Nikki’s tone was cold.Sean fell silent.Vivian caught up from behind with Eli in her arms.He had stopped crying and was slumped against her shoulder, tear tracks still visible on his little face.Vivian’s makeup was a mess. Mascara had smeared beneath her eyes, and most of her lipstick was gone. She looked as though she had been caught in a storm, but she still carried herself with the same careful