My shoulders shook.
My lips trembled.
My nose crunched up.
My eyes squinted.
And my lips spread into a wide grin.
Then I burst out laughing. Hard, uncontrollable laughter that echoed in the hospital room, drawing an amused glance from Vincent and a bemused look from Jason.
Jason raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Glad to know you're taking this so well."
I clutched my stomach, my laughter refusing to stop as I wiped the tears from my eyes. "You've got to send me that photo," I managed to get out between breaths. "It's priceless. Honestly, just… priceless."
Vincent looked at Jason, lips twitching in a suppressed smile. "Looks like the lady's not so heartbroken after all," he muttered.
Jason glanced at Vincent, then shrugged. "Alright, you want the photo? It's yours, but you owe me an explanation because Vincent here did such a good job to get this in good camera quality." He tapped a few buttons on his phone, forwarding it to me. His eyes lingered on mine, still unsure if I'd lost it or if this was some kind of genius coping mechanism.
"Oh, Vincent…" I looked over, trying to keep a straight face but failing. "Did you even get any sleep last night?"
Vincent rolled his eyes, the exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath them. "I did not. And you're welcome, by the way. I wouldn't call spying on your boyfriend and his little friend a thrilling night out."
I snickered. "Can't say I didn't appreciate it. You two have outdone yourselves." My eyes narrowed playfully. "So, tell me. Was it all champagne and candlelight, or did they get down to business in the back seat?"
Jason shifted, a faint smirk breaking through his otherwise serious expression. "Actually," he said, leaning back as if settling in for a story, "it was something like this…"
---
The memory of the previous night played out like a film in Jason's mind.
He had been sitting in the back seat of the car in the hospital parking lot, Vincent ready to drive off after dropping off some paperwork. But then, just as Vincent reached for the gear shift, Jason caught a glimpse of two familiar figures across the lot, laughing and leaning close to each other.
"Hold on," Jason had said, his voice low, barely containing the irritation he felt in his bones.
Vincent frowned, glancing in the rearview mirror. "Sir?"
"Wait here," Jason instructed, his gaze fixed on Gabriel and Jessica, who seemed wrapped up in their own little world. They were giggling, heads close, with Jessica's hand on Gabriel's shoulder. Just as Jason watched, they climbed into Gabriel's car, still laughing.
"Would you like me to follow them, or is this one of those 'live and let live' situations?" Vincent asked, eyebrow raised.
Jason's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Follow them. Let's see just how serious they are about… whatever this is."
Vincent gave a slight nod. "Alright, sir. I'm game if you are."
---
Back in the hospital room, I raised an eyebrow at Jason, feigning surprise. "So, you actually… followed them? I'm flattered, really."
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I figured you'd want to know. Besides," he added, his smirk widening, "it was worth seeing your reaction."
Vincent groaned, shaking his head. "Worth it for you maybe. Me? I got an entire night of caffeine, boredom, and watching those two play the world's worst rom-com."
I laughed, still shaking my head. "Trust me, Vincent. It was worth every second."
He doesn't know how good he had helped me in my revenge plan. Cheating boyfriend. Crazy best friend.
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
Jason was staring at her, captivated. The way her eyes turned into perfect little slits when she laughed, how her cheeks rose and crinkled, her smile completely unguarded. He couldn't help the smile tugging at his own lips, feeling warmth spread through him.
I glanced over, catching his expression. "What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, though my voice was softened by the laughter still lingering on my lips.
He shook his head slightly, as if waking himself from a trance. "Nothing," he replied, but the way his eyes lingered made it clear there was something. "Just… you're taking this news very well."
"Oh? You expected me to fall apart? Be crying and rolling on the floor about how terrible my life is?" I shot back, my tone teasing.
Jason's expression sobered, and he tilted his head. "I guess I did, yeah. Usually, people don't laugh when they find out their boyfriend's cheating on them." He studied me for a beat longer. "You're not even a little surprised?"
I shrugged, leaning back against the pillows. "Honestly? I suspected it for a while." I kept my tone casual, though the knot in my stomach told a different story. "Gabriel… he was never exactly what you'd call 'subtle.'"
Jason's brows lifted slightly. "Then why stay with him?"
"Ah," I sighed, glancing up at the ceiling as I collected my thoughts. "I suppose I thought I could get some use out of him. And maybe, somewhere along the way, I started hoping he'd prove me wrong. That he wasn't as awful as I thought." I smirked, the irony almost amusing now. "Guess I was wrong."
Jason's eyes softened, the faintest crease forming between his brows. "You deserve better than that," he said, voice dropping just a little. "You deserve better than him."
I laughed, half-disbelieving. "Oh, yeah? And where would I find that, exactly?"
He shrugged, looking away for a moment, then back at me, his eyes steady. "Somewhere far from anyone named Gabriel."
"Fair point," I admitted, glancing toward the door. "So… since you're here, think you could work your magic and talk to the hospital guards? Maybe get me discharged?" I leaned forward slightly, putting on my most convincing smile. "I've had enough of these walls."
Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "Nice try. But no. You're staying here until they clear you."
I pouted, crossing my arms. "A billionaire CEO, and you can't even get me out of one measly hospital bed?"
His grin widened. "Oh, I could. But then you'd go do something reckless. And let's face it, trouble follows you, Kiara."
Vincent, who had been quietly scrolling through his phone in the corner, suddenly looked up, his expression grim. "Uh, sir? You might want to see this."
Jason's gaze snapped to him, his smile fading. "What is it?"
Vincent held out his phone, the screen displaying a breaking news headline in bold letters: Ryan Lopez, Medical Son Mogul, Found Dead in Hospital.
Jason's eyes darkened as he read the headline, his mouth tightening. "Well," he muttered, handing the phone back. "I guess I'm not the only one getting unwelcome news today."