The moment Dranred stepped into the hospital, every nurse who saw him began to whisper among themselves, their voices tinged with excitement and giddy curiosity. It was another busy day—everyone immersed in their usual routines—until the tall man in a coat entered, carrying a bouquet in one hand and wearing dark shades that made him look like someone straight out of a movie.
Even the patients and their guardians turned to look. In an instant, all eyes were drawn to him. The air shifted. Conversations faltered. The newcomer commanded attention without saying a word.
Dranred approached the front desk and spoke in a calm, polite voice.
"Excuse me, could you help me find Nurse Estelle Christopher?"
The nurses behind the counter froze, momentarily speechless. They had seen him before—back when he was brought in as a patient after an accident. But today, there was something different about him. The air around him seemed to shimmer with confidence. His presence exuded charm and quiet magnetism, the kind that made it impossible to look away.
When no one answered, Dranred slowly removed his shades. The gesture was simple, yet it made every nurse gasp softly, their admiration clear in their wide eyes.
"I'm sorry," he repeated with a gentle smile, "but could you please help me find Nurse Estelle?"
His voice was warm and patient, and that only made things worse—none of the nurses could find the courage to speak. Their hearts seemed to flutter in unison. A few exchanged shy glances, blushing furiously.
Dranred sighed softly and scratched the back of his head, glancing around the busy lobby.
"I know she works here," he muttered with a faint smile. "So I'll just go look for her myself."
He turned to leave—but then stopped.
Across the corridor, he saw Estelle. She was walking with Rosette and a doctor, the same one who had treated him during his stay. They were smiling and talking, and for a brief moment, Dranred just watched.
A dull ache pressed against his chest. It had been a long time since he'd seen that smile—her real smile. Lately, she had treated him with nothing but cold distance.
Estelle froze the moment her gaze met his. He looked the same as ever—tall, proud, and impossibly handsome. But her eyes flickered toward the flowers in his hand, and her breath caught. They were her favorite kind. The same flowers he used to bring her back when they were still together.
Bryan turned his gaze toward the young man when he noticed Estelle's attention shift forward. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized the newcomer—the basketball player. Ever since the man had been admitted to the hospital, Bryan had been quietly curious about him. Who was he to Estelle? And why did they seem so familiar with each other?
"What are you doing here?" Estelle asked, her tone firm and cool.
"Well," Dranred said with a faint smile, "I came to visit you. And if you'll permit me, I'd like to invite you to dinner. This is for you."
He extended a bouquet of tulips—her favorite. Estelle's eyes fell on the flowers, but her expression hardened.
"Why are you giving me that?" she asked coldly.
"Well—" Dranred started, but his voice faltered as he looked into her face. The warmth in her smile vanished the moment she spoke to him.
"I'm not a patient for you to visit or bring flowers to," she said flatly.
Before Dranred could respond, Rosette stepped forward, her voice light and kind.
"Oh, come on. I'm sure he knows that. He's here because you're here. And the flowers—" she leaned closer and inhaled softly, "—they smell lovely. I bet they're beautiful too."
She reached out and took the bouquet from Dranred's hand. Even though she couldn't see him, she could feel his awkwardness in the silence that followed Estelle's cold reception.
"Thank you," Rosette said warmly, smiling up at him.
The uneasiness in Dranred's chest eased at once. That smile—gentle and sincere—washed away his tension.
"I didn't know you'd be here," he said to her.
"Estelle came with me," Rosette replied. "Dr. Bryan introduced us to an eye specialist—like the one we met the other day. They'll help us look for a suitable cornea donor."
"That's good to hear," Dranred said with genuine warmth. "Isn't it wonderful? So many people want to see you regain your sight."
"Yes," Rosette said softly. "And I'm happy." She brought the flowers close to her face, breathing in their scent.
"It's because you're a good girl," Dranred said gently, resting his hand on her head.
Rosette flinched slightly at the sudden touch, surprised, but before she could react, Dranred had already withdrawn his hand.
Then he turned to Bryan with a faint grin.
"You're not in uniform," he said. "That means I can invite you to dinner. Both of you—Rosette included."
"I'm sorry. I can't," Estelle said calmly. "I already have plans—with Bryan."
She slipped her hand onto the doctor's arm.
Dranred's eyes flicked to where her hand rested. His chest tightened. Bryan, caught off guard, glanced at Estelle in surprise—but quickly realized what she was doing.
"I see," Dranred said quietly, disappointment flickering in his eyes. "I guess… later, then."
"No," Estelle replied firmly. "There won't be a later. Don't bother."
Her tone was sharp enough to cut through the murmurs in the room. Dranred's expression faltered, the sting of her words hitting deeper than he expected. Maybe she still hated him for what had happened. Maybe she had every right to. All he could do was take it.
Dranred looked at Bryan, his voice suddenly low. "Are you courting her?"
Bryan hesitated, feeling Estelle's grip tighten on his arm.
"No," he said at first, quick and automatic.
Estelle turned to him, startled by the answer—only for Bryan to gently take her hand, freeing it from his arm and holding it in his own.
"Because I'm not courting her," he continued steadily, "we're officially dating."
Gasps rippled through the nurses at the information desk. Estelle froze, wide-eyed. Dranred stood perfectly still.
"Why else would I help her find the best surgeon for Rosette?" Bryan went on. "If you understand what I'm saying—as a man—you'll leave her alone. And stop coming here with flowers. I don't like it."
The silence that followed was heavy. Even Rosette, who couldn't see what was happening, could feel the tension in the air. She turned toward the sound of Bryan's voice, confusion written across her face.
A few days ago, Estelle had treated Bryan with nothing more than polite professionalism. She never sensed anything romantic between them—not like what she used to have with Dranred.
Now, though, everything felt different. And though Rosette couldn't see it, she knew Dranred must have been stunned.
"That was a surprise," Dranred said softly. "I didn't realize. You seem more like his—"
"Co-worker?" Bryan cut in, his tone sharp but steady. "Of course. We're professionals at work."
Dranred studied him. "Are you serious about your relationship with her?"
Bryan frowned. "Why would you ask?"
Dranred's voice dropped, calm but heavy. "Because she's very important to me. I'd hate to see her hurt again. She's been through so much already. I don't want her to go through that pain anymore."
He looked at Estelle as he said it, and their eyes met. In that gaze, she felt everything he couldn't say aloud — that he still cared, that her pain would always be his. Her heartbeat stumbled. Those eyes… they hadn't changed. Still so expressive, still speaking straight to her heart.
And just like that, the wall she'd built around her feelings began to crack.
For ten years, she had buried her love for him under layers of anger. But now, standing before him again, all those emotions stirred — stronger than the bitterness she'd clung to. Her heart whispered that maybe Dranred was never truly the one to blame.
Bryan's voice broke through her thoughts. "You don't have to worry," he said firmly, meeting Dranred's eyes. "I'm with her now. And I'll make sure she's happy."
Estelle turned to him in surprise. Their eyes locked, and suddenly, her chest tightened again — but this time for a different reason. Bryan wasn't looking at her as a superior anymore. There was something warmer, deeper, in his gaze. Affection.
She quickly looked away.
"I see," Dranred said after a long silence. He forced a small smile. "So this is how it's going to be."
Estelle and Bryan both turned toward him.
"I believe you'll take good care of her," Dranred added quietly, his eyes softening. Then to Bryan, he said, "Take care of her. Make her happy."
The words hit Estelle like a blade. How could he say that so easily? Did their years together mean so little? Was he really letting her go that simply?
"I should get going," Dranred murmured. He turned to Rosette, gently cupping her face. "I'll visit again soon, all right?"
Rosette nodded, hearing the sadness hidden behind his calm tone.
Then he turned, walking toward the exit. The nurses watched in silence as he left, his figure growing smaller under the hospital lights.
And though Estelle said nothing, her heart screamed after him — the sound of goodbye breaking quietly inside her chest.
"Thank you," Estelle said quietly to Bryan as she slipped her hand free from his and stepped back.
Bryan looked at her, brows drawing together. "Why are you thanking me?"
"For helping me… and for going along with my—"
"I have my ulterior motives," Bryan cut in, his tone low but steady. "You don't have to thank me."
Estelle froze. The words caught her off guard. What did he mean by that? She had assumed he was just being kind, that he'd played along to protect her. But now, she wasn't so sure. The way he had looked at her earlier — was that real affection?
Bryan cleared his throat, his professional tone returning. "I've set up another appointment with Dr. Mendez. We're also doing our best to find the best—"
"Thank you, Doctor," Rosette interrupted gently, her hand reaching out to find her sister's.
Estelle turned toward her. "What is it?"
Rosette tilted her head, her voice soft but firm. "What happened? Why did you talk to Red like that?"
"Let's not talk about it," Estelle said quickly. "You wouldn't under—"
"I don't understand because you never explain anything," Rosette interrupted. "You and James both. Do you think I don't notice how differently you treat Red? Like he's a stranger. Are you hiding something from me?"
Estelle drew in a slow breath. "Let's not talk about this here, okay?" She turned back to Bryan, her voice formal again. "Dr. Sandoval, thank you for your help today. We'll be leaving now." Without waiting for his reply, Estelle gently guided Rosette toward the hospital exit. Bryan watched them go, his expression unreadable.