"Vivian, get some rest. I'll make soup for you later so you can recover properly."
Ethan sat beside the hospital bed, gently brushing the loose strands of hair away from Vivian's cheek. His voice was soft, almost tender. Vivian lifted a hand as though she wanted to hold his, but Ethan instinctively avoided the touch.
"Are you still upset that I secretly took your key?" Vivian lowered her eyes, her voice trembling with grievance. "I only wanted to explain our relationship to Dr. Lancaster. I never expected her to attack me."
Ethan frowned faintly. "There's nothing between us that needs explaining. I only see you as a friend. Lydia's immature and too jealous for her own good. That's why you ended up hurt."
The words "only a friend" filled Vivian with bitterness, though tears immediately
