FALLING FOR MY SECRET BILLIONAIRE BEST FRIEND

CHAPTER THREE: THE ONE BY MY SIDE

A few minutes later, I woke.

My head felt heavy, my throat dry, and the faint beeping beside me made everything seem like a dream. Slowly, my eyes fluttered open, blinking against the bright white lights above me. The clean scent of antiseptic filled my nose, and then, through the blur, I saw him.

Josh.

Sitting quietly beside my bed, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. His eyes met mine instantly, and he let out a sigh of relief, which made me feel a little bit guilty.

“Hey… easy,” he said, his voice calm but low with worry. “You fainted. The water was still boiling when I found you.”

He hesitated, then added softly, “You’ve barely eaten or slept since you got here, Ash. You’ve been running on caffeine and emotions. Your body couldn’t take it anymore.”

I swallowed hard. A part of me wanted to argue, to tell him I was fine, but the truth was, I wasn’t. Between the stress, the memories, and everything with my ex, I hadn’t even noticed how much I’d been breaking down.

As my vision cleared, I realised where I was. The room was spacious and elegant, soft cream curtains, marble floors, and a quiet hum that didn’t belong in any ordinary hospital. My gaze darted toward the name engraved on the glass plaque near the door.

Heavencrest Medical Centre.

My heart skipped. “Wait… Heavencrest? Josh, this is one of the most expensive private hospitals in New York.”

He gave a small shrug, looking suddenly awkward. “Realised it was the nearest one I could get you to. And, uh” he rubbed the back of his neck, “my friend works here. He owes me a favour, so he helped arrange the room.”

I blinked, taking in the elegant surroundings again. The room felt too perfect, like something out of a magazine. “You must have some really generous friends,” I muttered, half-smiling.

Josh chuckled softly. “Guess I do.”

His tone was casual, but there was a warmth in his eyes that made something in my chest flutter, the same look he’d given me back whenever I was crying over another heartbreak. He was always there, steady and patient, with that same quiet concern that said I’ve got you.

* * *

For a moment, the room went quiet, just the soft sound of machines and my uneven heartbeat.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze searching mine. “You scared me, you know. Don’t do that again.”

I smiled faintly. “You make it sound like I planned to pass out.”

“Still,” he said, brushing his thumb gently against my hand, “just… take care of yourself. Please.”

My heart stuttered at the touch, it wasn’t much, but it was enough to make me forget how weak I felt.

* * *

I wanted to tease him, say something like, 'You sound like my mom', but the lump in my throat stopped me. Because I realised then, this wasn’t the first time Josh had sat by my bedside. He’d done it before. The flu in sophomore year. The night after my first real breakup. Always him.

“Okay,” I whispered, my eyes fluttering shut again. “But only if you promise to stop worrying so much.”

He smiled, the kind of smile that carried more emotion than words ever could.

“Can’t do that, Ash,” he said softly. “You’re kind of impossible not to worry about.”

As the world faded around me, I felt warmth in my chest, the kind that wasn’t from the blankets or the lights.

Just him.

Just Josh, the one who never left.