Merrick paused, his hand resting on the doorknob.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "It's just something else. Get some rest; I'll be back before you know it."
With that, Merrick opened the door and walked out without a backward glance.
As the door to the hospital room slowly closed, Krystal's earlier joy evaporated, leaving behind a storm of disappointment and anger.
Merrick's hesitation when he answered showed he was weighing his options, and in the end, he chose to leave.
"Oriana, when will you finally leave Merrick for good?"
Fury blazed in Krystal's eyes as she shattered the water glass beside her bed.
*****
Outside the grand entrance of the Phoenix Pavilion, Nichole had finally caught sight of Merrick, arriving much earlier than she had anticipated.
They were sea
