Beneath the Bandages: A Web of Lies Unraveled.
The week had been relentless. My phone buzzed non-stop with calls and messages from Fredrick and Max. Each was determined to win my attention, but I ignored them all. I was torn, my heart caught in an emotional tug-of-war.
Fredrick was the epitome of stability and devotion. Our months together had shown me the life I could have with him—a perfect partnership grounded in respect and affection. Yet, Max held a different kind of power over me. His charm, the memories of our university days, and an undeniable physical attraction made it impossible to dismiss him.
Max and Fredrick were both incredibly handsome, successful, and charismatic. Fredrick, with his tall frame, sapphire-blue eyes, fair skin, and clean-shaven jaw, was a vision of elegance. Max, with his dark skin, thick beard, and rugged masculinity, exuded an irresistible magnetism. I sat on my bed for hours, torn between two loves, wishing for a world where I didn't have to choose.
As I wrestled with my thoughts, my phone rang again. This time, it was an unknown number. Hoping for a distraction, I answered.
"Hello, am I speaking with MMA?" a gruff voice asked.
"Yes, this is she. Who's calling, please?" I replied, curious yet cautious.
"I'm sorry to inform you that Max was involved in a terrible car accident. His legs were badly injured."
The words hit me like a thunderclap. My heart raced as I clutched the phone tightly.
"What? Are you sure? Please, tell me which hospital he's in!"
The man gave me the name of the hospital, and without a second thought, I grabbed my things and rushed out. My mind raced as I sped to the hospital, dread sinking in with each passing moment.
When I arrived, I frantically asked the nurses about Max's whereabouts. One directed me to the emergency ward, mentioning that several accident victims had been brought in. My panic mounted as I began flinging open every door, scanning each room for Max.
After finding no sign of him, I returned to the nurses, my voice trembling. "I couldn't find him. Are you sure he's here?"
A nurse asked for Max's full name and description. After I provided it, she smiled gently and said, "Oh, he's not in the emergency ward. He's in a private room."
Her words stopped me cold. "What? Why is he in a private room? I was told his injuries were serious."
The nurse shrugged. "His condition isn't critical, ma'am. There's nothing to worry about."
Confusion and suspicion swirled in my mind, but I kept my thoughts to myself. I asked to be taken to Max's room, and the nurse obliged, leading me down the hall to Room 102.
When I stepped inside, I saw Max lying in bed, his right ankle, hand, and head bandaged. Despite the bandages, he looked far from the image of someone gravely injured. My heart softened as I approached him, offering quiet comfort.
"Oh, Max! How did this happen?" I asked, sitting beside him.
He sighed dramatically. "MMA, it's by God's mercy I'm alive. I don't even remember what happened. One moment I was driving, and the next, I woke up here."
His tone and demeanor seemed almost too calm. Something didn't feel right, but I pushed the thought aside. As I gently touched his bandaged ankle, he let out an exaggerated cry of pain. I quickly pulled back, apologizing profusely.
Moments later, the doctor entered and announced that Max was being discharged.
"Discharged?" I asked, shocked. "But he's still in such a bad state!"
The doctor smiled reassuringly. "He'll recover faster at home. Just make sure he rests and avoid anything that could stress him."
Though uneasy, I agreed to help Max during his recovery. Leaving him alone felt wrong, so I moved into his house temporarily to care for him.
During my stay, Max insisted I sleep in his room, claiming the memories of the accident haunted him at night. I resisted, but his pleas wore me down.
One evening, after dinner, I helped him to bed. As I turned to leave, he grabbed my wrist.
"Stay with me, MMA. Please."
I shook my head. "Max, I can't. You'll be fine."
His grip tightened, and his face contorted with frustration. Then, to my shock, he blurted out:
"MMA, there was no accident. It was all a lie."
I froze, my heart pounding.
"I faked everything," he continued, his voice rising. "The call, the bandages, even the doctor—I paid them all. I did it because I love you. I couldn't think of any other way to make you come back to me."
I stared at him, speechless.
"But even now," he added bitterly, "I can see you don't want me. You still want Fredrick. After everything I did, I'm still losing you."
His confession confirmed the doubts that had been gnawing at me. I had suspected something was off, but hearing it from him left me reeling. Without a word, I turned and walked out of the room, retreating to the guest room.
As I closed the door behind me, anger and disappointment surged within me. Beneath the bandages and lies, Max had revealed the lengths he was willing to go to manipulate me. It was a sobering reminder of the tangled web I had found myself in—and the choices I now had to make.