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He leaned against the wall, his back pressed against it, absently running his fingers over the small bandaid on the back of his hand. A bandage was still wrapped around his forehead as he stared down, lost in thought.
Hearing the sound of her footsteps, his head turned and noticed her.
The moment he saw her, he straightened up, his entire face softening.
Ivy didn’t say a word as she walked to her door and started to unlock it.
He silently watched her. "I was missing you," he said quietly. "So I came to see you."
Ivy stilled.
Her heart gave a painful, treacherous twist.
She said nothing, stepping past him, walking inside, and shutting the door behind her.
Even though she hadn’t locked it, Christian didn’t follow her in.
Inside, Ivy changed into her nightclothes and freshened up. The cool water on her skin did little to wash away the heaviness pressing on her chest.
When she stepped out after a while, the quiet of the apartment wrapped around her. Just as she walked toward the small table in the hall, her phone dinged, breaking the silence.
She picked it up and glanced at the screen. It was a message from Sawyer.
"Hey, did Christian come to you? The hospital said he discharged himself, but I can’t find him anywhere."
Ivy stared at the screen for a moment before answering the text.
"Yes."
Sawyer’s response came immediately.
"Can you please take care of him tonight? I know you don’t like that, but today is the day Christian was left on the street by his mom. He’s always very disturbed on this date every year. I’m sorry to trouble you, Ivy."
Ivy stared at the message, her grip tightening on the phone.
She should ignore it. She should turn off her phone, go to bed, and pretend none of this concerned her.
But her fingers trembled slightly as she set the phone down on the table.
She exhaled slowly, then turned around and walked back to the door. Her heart pounded as she placed her hand on the handle. She hesitated—just for a second—before pulling it open.
Christian was still there.
He leaned against the wall, his broad shoulders slightly hunched, his head tilted downward. The dim glow of the light outside bathed him in soft shadows, making his already sharp features look even more carved, almost fragile beneath his usual confidence.
At the sound of the door opening, his body tensed. Then, he lifted his head.
As soon as she stepped out, he straightened, his eyes locking onto her. But there was something hollow in his gaze, something quietly breaking beneath the surface.
Ivy swallowed.
“Come inside,” she said simply, leaving the door open.
For a second, Christian didn’t move. His lips parted slightly, as if surprised, as if he hadn't expected her to say it. Then, his face lit up.
He didn’t say a word. He just stepped forward.
Crossing the threshold, he entered her space, his presence filling the small apartment instantly.