~~Alejandro~~
The drive to the hospital felt endless. Elena rested against me, her skin hot, her breaths uneven. Her friend sat quietly, worry etched on her face.
At the hospital, nurses rushed to take her in. Her friend followed them inside while I stayed just outside the door, pacing.
Minutes dragged until the doctor stepped out.
“She has a high fever,” the doctor explained. “Brought on by stress and lack of proper food. She’ll need rest and monitoring tonight.”
I nodded and sat in the waiting room with Mateo.
My phone buzzed. Valentina’s name lit the screen. I wasn’t ready for her.
A message followed: “Jandro, where are you?”
A bitter sigh escaped me. I wasn’t ready for her games, not tonight. Not when Elena lay burning on the other side of that door.
I tossed the phone toward
