Chapter: 283

"I didn't see it. Maybe you left it with the doctor when you stepped out."

Jonathan's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together his memories.

Maddie quickly excused herself. “I should get going. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

With that, she hurried out of the hospital, not lingering for a moment. Once inside her car, she retrieved Jonathan's phone and began to switch it off.

As the screen came to life, texts from Bethany appeared.

“Jonathan, where are you?"

“Jonathan, my mom passed away. Please answer..."

A smirk spread across Maddie's face, filled with cruel satisfaction.

"You and your mom are all the same, always against me and my mom. Now you've learned your lesson." Her laughter was icy as she powered down the phone, removed the SIM card, and flung it out the window.

Near the river, she stopped and tossed Jonathan's phone into the flowing water.

It would take Jonathan at least a day to replace his phone and SIM card.

And a day was all it would take for Bethany to lose hope in him.

Maddie was intimately familiar with Bethany's stubborn, determined spirit. Given the gravity of the situation, Jonathan's absence would inevitably erode her affection for him, clarifying her feelings and perspective.

After all, their worlds were never meant to intersect.

Bethany attempted to call Jonathan for the twentieth time, only to discover that his phone was now off.

In the sterile, antiseptic-scented corridor of the hospital, she moved like a ghost, tirelessly redialing his number, each attempt met with the monotone of an automated message.

She hung up, dialed his number, and repeated that.

Time lost meaning until, abruptly, someone enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Lifting her head with a glimmer of hope, Bethany's eyes searched for the one she longed to see, but it was Jayson who came into view.

Her hope dimmed.

"I understand everything, Bethany. Stay strong. I'm here for you,"

Jayson murmured, placing down a bag of fresh fruit he had brought.

He had promised Marie he would visit over the weekend if his school schedule allowed, to keep her company during her recovery.

Shockingly, upon his arrival, he learned of the passing of Bethany's mother.