As the door closed, my gaze locked onto Shantel's pale face, her eyes wide with fear. It was clear she thought Chris had discovered our secret. She began pacing back and forth, her restless movements making me anxious.
The weight of our secret felt like it was crushing me. A few minutes passed, and the sound of footsteps echoed outside the door. The group returned, each carrying a steaming cup of coffee. Chris was the last to enter, and his eyes homed in on Shantel, who stood by the window, looking drained.
"What's wrong, darling?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice. Shantel forced a laugh, "I think I need sugar." But beneath her facade, I knew she was terrified that Chris had uncovered our past.
Chris continued, "I was going to ask how you take your coffee, but I got a call while I was outside. So that was the reason I opened and closed the door instantly before coming in. Do you want me to grab you a cup of coffee?"
"With two sugars, please. That's so kind of you, darling," she said, her voice gentle and soothing. Chris then left the room hastily.
Just out of the blue, Sarah began laughing. Her sudden laughter was infectious, and soon everyone was laughing along with her. Her gaze had been fixed on Peter, and I couldn't help but wonder what had triggered her outburst. "What's up, Sarah?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Still chuckling, she caught her breath and said, "I thought Peter was unlike other men – I thought he wouldn't gaze at ladies like that when they pass by. But today, he proved me wrong."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she continued, "There was this young lady at the cafeteria where we bought coffee, and Peter couldn't tear his eyes away. She even asked him what he was staring at, and to my surprise, he couldn't speak. It was hilarious – he just smiled and turned away." She laughed again, her eyes shining with mirth.
Still laughing, she continued, "Maybe that's how you look at me—or maybe at Charlotte—when you walk behind us."
Peter locked eyes with me, then burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.
He said, "Oh, now you know my secret. I usually try not to stare at you, but somehow I do—even though I don't mean anything by it. You're my friend... plus, Ced's girlfriend."
"Oh yeah, about that. You know how much I loved Ced—and what he did to me. Let's not talk about it. The past is the past," she exclaimed.
Her words struck like a dagger. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, each beat echoing with guilt. A familiar ache crept in—the kind I hadn't felt since I lost Sarah. It was like something inside me was tearing open, raw and unhealed. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain surged through me, and I let out a groan.
I turned to look at her. She stood with her head bowed, her expression etched with quiet sorrow. The sight of her cracked something in me. I forced a smile, weak and unconvincing, before my voice broke through the silence—low, trembling, laced with regret.
"I know I hurt you, Sarah... and I'm so, so sorry. Please forgive me."
She stepped closer, then gently sat on the edge of the bed.
"I've already forgiven you," she said softly, not quite meeting my eyes. "It's just... I loved you so deeply. Sometimes, remembering what we had—what we lost—it still brings tears to my eyes."
After a pause, she looked at me and asked, her tone shifting into something calmer, almost routine, "Hey Cedric, do you want anything to eat or drink? I could grab something while the doctors finish up your discharge papers."
"No, I'm good for now, thanks," I replied. After a while, the doctor arrived with my discharge papers, and we left the hospital, heading straight to our favorite cafeteria near campus.
As we savored our meal in the cozy atmosphere, Peter posed a question to the group. "Guys, I feel like we should plan a weekend adventure – maybe ice skating or horseback riding. It'll be fun and a great bonding experience. What do you think?"
I turned to Peter, met his gaze, and replied, "Sounds like a great idea, but I'd love it even more when I'm fully healed." I flashed him a warm smile, and then playfully nudged Chris, who was sitting next to me, with my shoulder, adding a lighthearted touch to the moment.
Peter's question shifted the atmosphere. Laughter bubbled around the table as our conversation turned light and playful. The clinking of cutlery against plates mingled with the soft hum of conversation, wrapping the café in a comforting warmth.
Not long after, Chris and Shantel excused themselves and stepped out. A few minutes later, Alex and Charlotte followed, their hands intertwined, their faces glowing with the thrill of a new adventure.
Sarah lingered for a moment, then quietly rose. She didn't want things to turn awkward—it was written in the hesitant glance she gave me before walking away. Her departure left a hollow in the air, and I sat there, haunted by the ache in my chest.
How do I win her heart again? The thought echoed like a whisper inside me. Just being her friend felt like a punishment—too close to touch, yet too far to hold. I tried to bury the guilt by chatting with Peter, forcing a smile, stretching my words too thin, hoping they'd drown out the memories of what I'd done.
But then Charlotte crept into my thoughts—the way she used to look at me, the ease of her laughter—and now she was gone too, off with Alex. I felt like a fool. A man with two hearts lost and nothing left to offer but regret.
While I was lost in thoughts about how foolish I'd been, Peter was deep in conversation with a waitress. I glanced up—and our eyes locked. There was something uncannily familiar about her face, especially the way her smile lit up when she looked at Peter.
Curious, I turned my gaze toward him. His expression was unmistakable—Peter had fallen hard. And knowing him, I was certain he wouldn't ask for her number.
So I leaned in, my voice gentle, almost melodic. "Would you mind giving my friend your contact?"
She looked at me, then smiled—an easy, disarming smile—and reached for Peter's phone. With graceful fingers, she keyed in her number, handed it back, and walked away, leaving the air tinged with something unspoken.
That's when the unease crept in. Where had I seen her before? That smile, those eyes... they tugged at something buried deep in memory.
Was she from my past again?
Or worse—
was this the beginning of another secret?
But this time… one I couldn't let Peter find out.