My Guardian's Cruelest Love Game

Holla

s. Just the rhythmic beeping of machines and the occasional polite inquiry from a nurse. It was a star

ss and steel felt heavier, colder, than ever before. As I pushed open the front door, a cacophony of laugh

rating, their movements playful and intimate. Chrissy held up a shimmering ornament, giggling, while Kendrick adjusted a str

unseen and unheard. I wanted to turn ar

're back! Where did you run off to, sweetie? We barely noticed you were gone." Her words, de

explain the hospital, the fever, the crushing loneliness. What was th

wrapped box in his hand. "Amirah," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle, almost apologe

t his, a fleeting contact that sent a strange shiver down my arm. It was a delicate, silver necklace, intricate and beautiful. It was something Chriss

spreading through my chest. "I'll just... put this in my room." I turned to escape, despera

om my shoulder, landing with a soft thud. The sudden contact made me flinch, a jolt of alarm runni

have you been?" His gaze dropped to my hand, where the IV needle pri

yes, I knew, blank and devoid of emotion. "I was in the hospital," I stated, my voice flat, almost monotonous.

ash of the old Kendrick, the one who would have rushed to my side. "The hospital? Why didn

ruth. She had done this. Purposely. To ensure I was truly alone. "I tried," I said, my voice rising slightly, a hint of the old ang

one must have died on the trip, and then I forgot to mention it to you. I thought you'd want to be completely disconnected while we

lright, Chrissy. Next time, Amirah, just text me. Or email. My phone is often off for client meetings. You know that

hose to believe her. Always her. I said nothing, simply nodding,

t needed to be alone. I needed to escape the suffocating weigh

ood in the doorway, his silhouette framed against the warm light of the hallway.

usual. "She didn't realize her phone would block your

in a hospital, believing I had no one? Or for making sure you couldn't be bothered by a 'childis

, usually unreadable, now held a flicker of something clos

ed her little charade would be exposed?" I watched h

other room. She thought it was helping me 'unwind' from work. It was a mistake. A genuine ove

ffering a reason, a defense, for something that had gone wrong. It was a sliver of

iliar. "You're being immature, Amirah. This is exactly what I meant

finally went numb. He would never see me. Never understand. He would always twist my pain into immaturity, my need into dependenc

truth felt like a heavy weight, settling deep within me. My heart was not just broken; it was numb. The last remnants of my love for him, the despe

ed version of me. "Fine," he finally said, his voice rough. "If you insist on being ungrateful... I was going to offe

a gesture, a memory I no longer cherished. But the numbness held fast. "No, thank you," I said, my voice steady. "I'm

thing I couldn't quite decipher. "You're not a child anymore, Amirah." His

y lips. "I don't. And I don't need to be resc

ent home, opting instead for long nights at my friend' s dorm, claiming study groups or late-night research. The less I saw of them, the easier it was to breathe, to maintain the fragile peace I had found i

acceptance to MIT confirmed. My escape plan was in motion. It was time. Time to say good

e, lounging on the new cream sofa, a sketchbook in her lap. Kendrick was gone. My shoulder

altered slightly. "What do you want, Amirah? Kendrick's not here. And I'm

ng for Kendrick," I said, turning t

Her voice was a furious hiss, her face contorted with rage. "Still clinging on, aren't you? After everything? Do you really think he'd ever choose you? A broken little

voice soft, almost bored. "It seems I've overestimated your de

he sound of Kendrick's return. Chrissy's face changed instantly. Her eyes welled up, her lips trembled, and then, with a sh

udden, theatrical tears, clutching her arm. "She a

y's side, his arm encircling her. He glared at me, his eyes cold, accusatory. "Amirah," he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble, "what ha

I did it. I snapped. I attacked your precious Chrissy. Are you happy now? Is this finally enough to get rid of me? Because if it is, then fine. Good. You win." I spread my hands