Chapter 4- Maybe He Did Care a Little
Chapter 4–Maybe He Did Care a Little
Grace’s eyes turned red instantly. She didn’t say anything, but from that day on, she barely left Willow’s side in the hospital.
Over the next few days, she kept bringing up Jax–always casually, as if trying to test the waters.
“Willow, knowing my brother… if anyone else had chased him like you did, he would’ve found a hundred ways to make them disappear. But you? He tolerated it for seven years. Don’t you think… maybe he did care about you? Maybe he just didn’t realize it himself?”
If Willow had heard those words before the drowning incident, she might have faltered.
But now, she only saw them as wishful thinking.
She picked up her phone from the nightstand and handed it to Grace, showing her the photos her colleagues had sent over the past few days.
Jax, with Elena–shopping, dining, catching a movie together. His expression relaxed, his gaze warm. He didn’t hide
it at all.
Willow’s voice was soft, but steady, like a still, quiet lake.
“He only ever tolerated me out of respect for you, Grace. If fate decided to let me forget him, then maybe it’s because he was never meant to be part of my story. Now that the person he was waiting for is back, it’s time for me to let go.”
Grace saw the calm resolve in her eyes and finally stopped trying to persuade her.
“Sigh… I really wanted Jax to come around and choose you. Then you’d be my sister–in–law and we could be together forever. But since you’ve made your decision, I won’t push it anymore.”
She
gave
Willow’s hand a squeeze and smiled.
“No matter who you love–or don’t–we’ll always be sisters.”
Willow nodded firmly and leaned in to give her a hug.
They talked for a while longer before Grace left to handle the discharge paperwork. Soon after, she wheeled Willow. out of the hospital.
“You’ve been cooped up in that hospital room way too long. I called up some friends–we’re throwing a little celebration for your release. Time to lighten the mood.”
Willow thought of how this might be her last time seeing these friends before leaving New York. So she agreed.
fake Billionaire’s Secret Obsession
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Chapter 4- Maybe He Did Care a Little
They arrived at a private lounge in Manhattan. But the moment they pushed open the door, Grace froze.
Sitting on the center couch were Jax and Elena.
Grace’s face was filled with surprise.
“Jax? What are you doing here?”
A few of the friends who had helped organize the gathering quickly explained.
“You said the more people the better, right? I ran into Jax and figured, why not invite him too? He even brought Elena along!”
Grace’s eyes widened in disbelief, practically seething.
Willow tugged gently on her sleeve and whispered,
“It’s alright. They’re here now. I don’t remember anything from before, so it’s not going to bother me.”
Only then did Grace relax slightly, forcing a smile as they walked into the lounge together.
The room was filled with chatter and laughter, but the atmosphere remained undeniably tense.
Jax draped his jacket over Elena’s shoulders, shielded her from drinks, peeled fruit for her–every gesture full of tenderness, making no effort to hide the affection he felt for her.
Willow watched in silence. Her chest felt tight, but not painful.
Strangely, she felt at peace.
Maybe forgetting really was a gift.
But Grace seemed to think Willow was bottling everything up. In an effort to distract her, she gathered everyone to play some games.
Willow had great luck, winning round after round until finally losing one.
Everyone burst into cheers, demanding she accept a punishment. She chose “truth.”
Someone leaned forward, excitement in their voice.
“Tell us–what’s the most unforgettable love you’ve ever had?”
The room lit up with teasing and laughter, but all eyes kept drifting between her and Jax.
Jax’s expression changed instantly.
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Chapter 4–Maybe He Did Care a Little
He looked at Willow, sharp and cold, his eyes full of warning.
Willow understood–he was silently telling her not to “say anything stupid.”
But she didn’t remember the past.
And with nothing to lose, what harm could a little honesty do?
She smiled, voice calm.
“Hmm… it would probably be my first love, I guess? He was my best friend’s older brother. I fell for him at first sight. I wrote him letter after letter… Everyone knew how much I loved him. But he never loved me back. Now, I don’t…”
She spoke with ease, as if recounting someone else’s story. And that final “I don’t…” was her first time revealing how she truly felt.
The room fell quiet.
Before she could finish the last half of her sentence–“…don’t love him anymore“-another voice cut in.
Elena’s smile stiffened as she turned to Jax.
“Jax… you and her…”
Jax’s hand twitched, gripping Elena’s fingers tightly. His voice came out cold as ice, every word laced with cruel finality.
“There’s nothing between us. Nothing at all.
She was just obsessed. It was one–sided… foolish.”
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