Dylan sat beside Ember; his fingers gently wrapped around hers as he fought to keep his eyes open. He was determined to stay awake until she opened hers. But exhaustion pressed heavily on him, and despite his best efforts, sleep eventually claimed him. Even as he drifted into a light slumber, his grip on her hand remained firm, as if he could anchor her to him.
Meanwhile, Ember found herself suddenly back in her own room. The familiar surroundings should have been comforting, but they weren't—because the pain in her leg was unbearable. A sharp, searing ache pulsed through her, making her tremble uncontrollably. She gasped, clutching her injured leg as fresh tears streamed down her face.
"What am I going to tell my parents?" she whispered, her voice cracking with fear.
Desperation clawed at her chest. She had to get back to Dylan—had to return to where she had been just moments ago. Summoning every ounce of her strength, she tried to teleport again, but the effort drained her completely. Weak and exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed, silent tears soaking her pillow until sleep finally overtook her.
Back at the hospital, Dylan stirred. A strange sensation ran through him—Ember's hand was trembling in his own. His eyes snapped open, and his heart clenched when he saw silent tears slipping down her cheeks, even though she was still unconscious.
"Ember… wake up," he whispered, his voice gentle yet urgent.
A few agonizing moments passed before her lashes fluttered, and then—finally—her eyes met his. The instant she saw him, something in her broke. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. Her sobs came in waves, her body trembling against him as she clung to him with everything she had.
Dylan held her close, his arms strong and unwavering. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, his fingers stroking her hair in soothing motions.
"It's okay," he murmured softly. "I'm here. You're safe now."
As Ember's sobs began to fade, Dylan reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. He turned back to her, ready to hand it over, but the moment she lifted her gaze, she froze.
A violent shiver ran through her, and before he could react, her entire body began to tremble. Her face twisted in agony as she clutched her head, a strangled cry escaping her lips.
"Aah! Dylan, it hurts!" she gasped, her voice laced with sheer desperation.
Her wide, red-rimmed eyes brimmed with fresh tears as she pressed her hands tightly against her temples, as if trying to push back the searing pain. The sight sent a jolt of terror through Dylan's chest.
Without thinking, he grabbed her hands, his grip firm yet gentle. "Ember, look at me. It's going to be okay. Just breathe," he urged, his voice steady despite the panic clawing at his throat. "I'm calling the doctor."
Fumbling for his phone, he quickly summoned the hospital staff before dialing Adrien, his words rushed and urgent. "Get here now. Something's wrong with Ember."
Minutes felt like hours as doctors arrived, their expressions clouded with confusion. They ran test after test, yet none of their hurried examinations provided answers. Meanwhile, Ember lay writhing, her body convulsing with pain, soft whimpers slipping past her lips. Dylan paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists, helplessness sinking into his bones.
By the time Adrien arrived, Ember was barely recognizable. The glow she once carried—the warmth in her eyes—was gone. Her tear-streaked face was pale, her lips trembling, and her body looked so fragile that it made Dylan's heart shatter.
Adrien took one look at her before turning to Dylan, his gaze firm yet understanding. He placed a reassuring hand on Dylan's shoulder.
"Step outside for a bit," he said gently but firmly. "Let me take a look at her."
Dylan hesitated, his feet rooted to the floor as his heart warred against Adrien's request. Every instinct screamed at him to stay by Ember's side, but one look at Adrien's firm expression told him he had no choice. With great reluctance, he nodded and stepped out of the room.
The moment the door closed behind him, he exhaled sharply, his fists clenching at his sides. The sterile hospital hallway felt suffocating, the seconds stretching into what felt like an eternity. He could do nothing but wait—wait and pray for a miracle.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Adrien stepped out.
"She's stable now," he said, his voice carrying a sigh of relief. "Her body's calmed down, and she's resting."
Dylan didn't waste another second. He rushed back inside, his gaze immediately finding Ember. She lay motionless on the bed, the violent tremors that had wracked her body now gone. Her breaths were soft and even, her face no longer twisted in pain.
Relief flooded him as he sat down beside her, his fingers instinctively lacing through hers. Bringing her hand to his lips, he pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles.
"You'll be okay, Ember," he whispered, his voice a quiet vow. "I promise. I'll figure this out."
A soft rustling made him lift his head. Ember's eyes fluttered open, exhaustion weighing heavily on them, but there was a warmth in her gaze that sent a wave of comfort through him.
With a trembling hand, she reached up, her fingers brushing against his face in a tender caress. Her touch was weak, but her resolve was steady.
"I'm okay now, Dylan," she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "So stop worrying about me."
His chest tightened at her words, but before he could respond, her gaze flickered toward the doorway. Adrien stood there, hesitant, as if unsure whether to step forward or leave them in peace.
"Adrien," Ember called softly, her voice filled with quiet warmth despite her exhaustion. "Come in, please. I'm so sorry for troubling you so late at night."
Adrien offered a small, reassuring smile as he stepped closer. "It's okay, Ember, we are friends," he said simply, his tone gentle.
She took a deep breath, hesitation flickering across her face before she finally spoke again.
"I need to ask you both something." Her eyes darted between Dylan and Adrien, uncertainty lacing her words. "Can you help me with this? My leg… How am I supposed to face my parents with this injury? I'm on break from college, but I can't hide this forever. Can you… I don't know, make it look less serious? And maybe come up with a story—something believable? Pretty please?"
She looked up at them with wide, pleading eyes, her expression so endearing that it made He exchanged a glance with Adrien, knowing full well that neither of them could ever refuse her.
Dylan let out a soft chuckle, his fingers grazing Ember's cheek.
"You can't use those puppy eyes on him," he teased gently, his voice laced with affection and protectiveness.
Adrien laughed, shaking his head. "I can help with the bandages, but coming up with a story? That's not really my specialty," he admitted, his tone light yet sincere.
Dylan's gaze returned to Ember, tender yet resolute. "You just rest. I'll figure something out. I'll ask someone who's good at spinning believable tales."
Adrien stepped closer, his demeanor shifting into professional calm. "Ember, I need to give you some anesthesia so you won't feel any pain while I change the bandages. Please, lie down."
Dylan gently helped her lower herself onto the bed, his hand never leaving hers. As Adrien prepared the injection, Ember's grip tightened around Dylan's fingers, a slight tremble running through her touch. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she leaned her head against his arm. The moment the anesthesia took effect, her body relaxed, and her breathing deepened into a peaceful slumber.
Adrien worked in focused silence, carefully replacing the bandages with practiced precision, ensuring her injury looked less severe. His brows furrowed in concentration, but after a moment, he broke the quiet.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low. "How to explain this to her parents?"
Dylan let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like it's my fault. If I could, I'd tell them everything—that this happened because of me. But I can't." His voice dropped to a whisper, thick with guilt. "I feel so helpless, Adrien. I'm terrified. If anything worse happens to her… I don't know what I'd do."
Adrien finished his work and straightened, his eyes locking onto Dylan's. His voice was firm yet reassuring. "You can't fall apart, Dylan. Be her strength. If you break, who's going to encourage her?"
Dylan swallowed hard, his throat tightening.
"Right now, she needs complete rest to heal," Adrien continued, his tone steady. "She's better off staying here, where you can take care of her. Just make sure she doesn't push herself too hard."
He placed a reassuring hand on Dylan's shoulder before stepping back. "If you need a story for her parents, ask Sheng Chi. he's good at coming up with things like that. I'll be at the hospital tonight, so call me if anything happens." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "She'll probably wake up by morning, but if she doesn't, just stay calm. And Dylan…" Adrien's voice softened. "Don't cry in front of her. She needs your strength."
With that, Adrien turned and left the room, leaving Dylan alone with Ember.
Dylan exhaled slowly, his chest aching as he gazed down at her peaceful face. A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, and he gently brushed it aside, his fingertips barely grazing her skin. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her hand, his lips lingering for just a moment.
"Get well soon, Ember," he whispered, his voice filled with quiet devotion. "I'll be right here, waiting for you."
He lingered a moment longer, reluctant to leave her side, before finally stepping out, letting the room fall into a hushed stillness as Ember rested peacefully.
Dylan dialed Sheng Chi's number, his fingers trembling slightly as he pressed the phone to his ear.
"Hello? Dylan?" Sheng Chi's voice came through, groggy but laced with curiosity. "What's going on? You're calling this late."
Dylan hesitated for a moment before letting out a weak chuckle. "Sorry for bothering you, but honestly, I don't think you were asleep anyway."
Sheng Chi sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm not. So? What do you want?"
"Feel like grabbing something to drink?" Dylan asked, his voice carrying a strange mix of urgency and forced nonchalance.
Sheng Chi groaned in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? It's the middle of the night!"
Despite himself, Dylan smirked. "Yeah, I might be. Open the door. I'm outside."
"What?" Sheng Chi sputtered in shock, but before he could say another word, the line went dead—and a second later, the doorbell rang.
With an exasperated sigh, Sheng Chi opened the door, only to find Dylan standing there, holding a bag of drinks.
"May I come in?" Dylan asked with a lopsided grin, already stepping inside before getting an answer. He handed over the bag and made his way to the sofa, flopping down as if he owned the place. "Go grab some glasses," he added casually, as if this were a regular occurrence.
Sheng Chi rolled his eyes but complied, returning moments later and setting the glasses on the coffee table. "You only show up like this when something's bothering you. So, what's going on?"
Dylan poured them each a drink, his movements deliberate but slow. He handed one glass to Sheng Chi before staring at his own for a long moment. Then, without a word, he downed it in one go.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Dylan exhaled and muttered, "I hurt someone." His voice was heavy with regret, his gaze fixed on the empty glass in his hand.
Sheng Chi leaned back in his chair, his curiosity piqued. "Who? Don't tell me it's about that girl from the interview?"
Dylan glanced up, surprised. "Yeah, her."
Sheng Chi chuckled, shaking his head. "You mean the one who wasn't even there for the interview but somehow got one anyway? Then got selected and turned the offer down? What a wild one she was. You were in such a mood about her back then. You got so snappy with me, remember?"
Dylan let out a faint chuckle, a flicker of warmth breaking through the guilt weighing on him. "Yeah, that one." But as quickly as the moment came, it faded. His expression darkened, his voice turning serious. "I'm going to tell you something, Sheng, and you have to believe me."
Sheng Chi raised an eyebrow, swirling his drink. "I'll believe you… if you tell me before you get completely wasted."
Taking a deep breath, Dylan launched into the story. He told Sheng Chi everything—how he met Ember, how he had fallen for her, and how his actions had unintentionally led to her current condition. His words were a tangled mess of guilt, love, and desperation as he explained the accident and the injury that now kept Ember bedridden.
When he finally stopped, he looked at Sheng Chi with pleading eyes. "I need a favor. Can you help me? I need a story—something that sounds real. Something she can tell her parents so they don't worry too much and let her stay long enough to recover."
Sheng Chi sipped his drink, his expression unreadable as he processed Dylan's words. Meanwhile, Dylan poured himself another glass and downed it in one gulp, the alcohol dulling his senses but not his emotions.
As the night wore on, the cracks in Dylan's composure deepened. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "If I'd been more careful… if I'd just paid more attention, none of this would've happened. Ember wouldn't be lying in that bed right now." His voice broke, and the tears spilled over, silent and raw.
Sheng Chi tried to comfort him, but his words felt hollow against the weight of Dylan's overwhelming guilt. Eventually, exhaustion won out. Dylan curled up on the sofa, clutching a cushion like it was his last lifeline, his sobs fading into quiet breaths as he drifted into a restless sleep.
With a sigh, Sheng Chi pulled a blanket over Dylan, watching as his friend's face softened in slumber. For all his bravado, Dylan carried a deep, fragile heart, and tonight had laid it bare.
Shaking his head, Sheng Chi muttered under his breath as he headed toward his room. "You're a mess, Dylan, but I'll figure something out. For her—and for you."
He closed the door softly behind him, leaving Dylan to rest in the quiet of the night.
Barely an hour had passed before Dylan stirred awake, still groggy, the effects of alcohol dulling his senses. Blinking against the haze, he pushed himself up and stumbled toward Sheng Chi's bedroom, shaking him awake with an urgency that refused to be ignored.
Sheng groaned, his eyes fluttering open, irritation lacing his voice. Seeing Dylan swaying slightly beside his bed, he let out a heavy sigh before shoving him back. Dylan tumbled to the floor with a thud.
"Are you out of your mind? Go back to sleep!" Sheng muttered, pulling the blanket over his head, hoping to shut out the disturbance.
But Dylan wasn't done. His chest tightened, his frustration spilling over into raw emotion. Tears welled in his eyes as he choked out, "How can you call yourself my best friend?" His voice cracked, thick with hurt. "Even Adrien came to the hospital when I called him once to check on Ember. But you? You're not helping me. You're not even driving me to see her! My girlfriend is in the hospital, and all I want is to take care of her, to look after her!"
Sheng Chi sat up, his irritation giving way to curiosity. He studied Dylan for a moment before narrowing his eyes. "Wait… what did you just say? Adrien? You met him?"
Dylan wiped his face, his voice hoarse. "Yes, I met him. He's the one taking care of Ember's health."
A sharp edge crept into Sheng Chi's tone. His expression darkened as he leaned forward. "Are you serious right now? Adrien? The same Adrien who's given you nothing but a hard time? And you're letting him take care of your girlfriend? Dylan, are you out of your mind?"
Dylan looked away, his voice quieter but firm. "He's the only one who can help her right now. That's why I'm letting him be near her. But you… you're not helping me either. And what about the favor I asked you earlier? Did you forget? How are you any different from him?"
Sheng Chi's patience finally snapped. His eyes flashed with anger as he shot back, "Hey! Don't you dare compare me to that bastard! I'm warning you, Dylan." His tone was sharp, laced with frustration. "And look at yourself—do you really think you can take care of her in this drunken state?"
Dylan sat on the floor, biting his nails like a defeated child, his shoulders slumped under the weight of guilt. Sheng exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair before muttering, "Fine. I'll drive you there. Get up."
When they arrived at the hospital, Dylan wasted no time, rushing toward Ember's ward with unsteady steps. Sheng hovered nearby, ready to catch him if he stumbled.
Inside the room, Ember had just woken up moments earlier. Still groggy, she reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over Dylan's number. Before she could press the call button, the door burst open.
Dylan appeared, breathless and desperate, his gaze locking onto her instantly. Without hesitation, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, holding her as if afraid she might disappear.
His voice cracked as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, baby. You're in this state because of me. I'm so sorry…" His words dissolved into quiet, heart-wrenching sobs.
Ember's heart ached at the pain in his voice. With gentle fingers, she stroked his hair, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "It's not your fault, Dylan," she murmured soothingly. "It was me. I'm the one who added too much spice to the food, even though I knew your tolerance was low. And because of my carelessness, I got hurt. So, please don't cry."
Dylan's tears slowed, his breathing gradually evening out as Ember's words washed over him. The weight of the night, combined with the lingering effects of alcohol, finally caught up with him. Before Ember could say anything more, Dylan drifted off to sleep, his arms still wrapped around her as if afraid to let go.
Ember sighed softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. Despite everything, a gentle smile tugged at her lips. Even in his most vulnerable moments, his devotion to her was unwavering. She tightened her embrace, letting him rest, and closed her eyes, comforted by his presence.
A quiet presence by the door made Ember open her eyes. Someone stood there, watching her. She turned her gaze toward him, recognizing the familiar figure.
With a curious smile, she asked, "Mr. HR, what are you doing here at this hour?"
Sheng Chi stepped into the room, his smirk playful yet knowing. "Hello, Ember. Surprised to see me? Blame your boyfriend. He barged into my house in the middle of the night, ruined my sleep, and begged me to bring him back to his girlfriend."
Ember glanced at Dylan, still lost in the haze of sleep, clearly not in his right mind. She let out a small sigh before turning back to Sheng with an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry for his behavior," she said sincerely.
Sheng waved her off with a chuckle. "No need to apologize," he said lightly. "But let me introduce myself properly. My name's Sheng Chi, but you can call me Sheng, like Dylan does. We became best friends when he first started in the industry. And trust me, this isn't new. Whenever he's upset or stressed, he storms into my house, drinks like there's no tomorrow, and then pretends he's completely sober."
Ember couldn't help but laugh at Sheng's teasing tone. "Thank you for being there for him during his tough times," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Sheng grinned. "Don't say it like that—it makes our friendship sound way too dramatic." Then, as if remembering something, he snapped his fingers. "Oh! Speaking of which, Dylan asked me to come up with a story you could tell your parents about your injury."
Ember shook her head, her expression soft but firm. "You really don't have to do that."
Sheng crossed his arms, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I can help you with this. Dylan already told me about the situation between you two, so just relax. I was thinking about it on the way to the hospital."
Ember tilted her head, surprised. "So he told you everything… and you believe it?"
"Yeah, I believe it," Sheng said without hesitation. "Your sudden appearance in his life, the way the headlines have been going crazy lately—it all makes sense. And, well, I'm the one handling some of the fallout. But let's not get into that." He waved it off casually before fixing Ember with a thoughtful look. "Tell me, do you have any glassware in your bathroom?"
Ember blinked at the unexpected question. "Uh… yeah. I have a toothbrush holder. It's made of glass."
Sheng's grin widened. "Perfect. When you get home, just break it. Then tell your parents that you were feeling dizzy late at night, your hand slipped, and the glass shattered, cutting you. Looking at your injury, they'll assume it was an accident. They won't press you for details. And from what Dylan's told me about your parents, they care about you enough to let you rest until you're fully recovered."
Ember clapped her hands together, clearly impressed. "Wow! You're amazing! That's a perfect story, and it's not even completely made up. If I didn't know you as an HR professional, I'd swear you were a writer." She chuckled, amusement shining in her eyes.
Sheng smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "Well, I am a writer."
Ember's jaw dropped. "What? How?!"
Sheng leaned back against the wall, his expression casual but amused. "At the office, they call me HR because I have a habit of recruiting people—for my scripts. That's how it all started. Eventually, the nickname stuck. Everyone started calling me HR more than 'writer,' and I never bothered correcting them. It's been two years now, and even Mr. Lu officially assigned me as an HR this year. So, now I'm juggling both."
Ember tilted her head, a slight furrow forming between her brows. "Doesn't it bother you? Handling two roles at once—doesn't it affect your writing? Your boss sounds mean."
Sheng chuckled at her concern. "Not at all. Actually, it's the opposite. I requested to handle the recruiting for my scripts, so Mr. Lu just made it official. And honestly, since everyone already thought I was HR, it's no big deal. Plus, Mr. Lu gives me vacations whenever I ask, so I can write without distractions. It works out perfectly."
Ember smiled, reassured. "That's great."
Sheng glanced at his watch and let out a sigh. "It's getting late. You need to rest so you can recover quickly. I can't deal with Dylan's drama for too long, so I'm leaving now. Good night, Ember."
Ember nodded, offering him a grateful smile. "I'll try to recover fast. Thank you for the story. Good night, Mr. HR."
Sheng stopped in his tracks and turned back with a playful frown.
Realizing her mistake, Ember quickly corrected herself. "Sorry! I'll call you Sheng. Good night, Sheng. I'll see you soon." Her face lit up with a bright smile as she waved at him.
Sheng smirked, gave her a small wave in return, and left the room.
Turning to Dylan, Ember's heart softened at the sight of him fast asleep beside her. Gently, she wrapped an arm around him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his presence lull her into a peaceful sleep, despite everything.