Even Perry was a little surprised because Ariel had asked him last night which hospital Jayson was in. Naturally, he had assumed she was worried and would stop by, if not out of lingering feelings, then at least out of gratitude.

But she never showed.

That caught even Matt off guard. “You guys don’t think she’s been acting really weird lately?”

Then, as if a lightbulb went off, he smacked his palm. “Is she actually dating Chad?”

Maybe she gave up on Jayson and decided to settle for Chad instead. Ariel was divorced now, after all. Anything was possible.

Matt even remembered them wearing matching scarves once.

Perry’s brows drew together. He didn’t think Ariel was the kind of woman who jumped from one relationship to another.

She didn’t seem like the type who would dive headfirst into something new right after a divorce.

Even just thinking that way felt a little unfair to her.

“You’d do great in tabloid journalism,” Jayson said coolly. He lifted his eyes and gave Matt an indifferent glance. Clearly, he had no interest in Matt’s speculation.

Matt, of course, was only trying to look out for Jayson.

He pulled out his phone. “I just think it’s a bit much. You’re lying here seriously injured, and she hasn’t shown the slightest concern. I’m pretty sure I still have her number. I’ll give her a call.”

Jayson didn’t even bother responding. He lowered his eyes and went back to answering his emails.

Ariel got up early that morning.

For once, she actually felt pretty good, so she threw on something comfortable and went for a walk in the park by her building.

When she got back, she felt an odd sense of peace, enough to make her want to cook for herself.

Ariel hadn’t done that in a while. Work had been a whirlwind lately.

She made a pot of oatmeal, tossed together a fresh salad, and pan–fried a perfect sunny–side–up egg. It was one of those rare, quiet mornings that felt like a little celebration of life.

She was halfway through breakfast when she saw a familiar number light up her screen.

Back in those years with Jayson, she had been involved in every detail of his life, so much so that she even had his friends‘ numbers memorized. Sometimes, they would call her to pick him up when he had had too much to drink.

Matt’s number was one of the first she deleted when she decided to file for divorce and handed over the papers.

So when he called again now, she knew it had to be about Jayson.

Ariel glanced at the screen, then calmly hit decline. She continued having her breakfast in peace.

She already knew from Perry which hospital Jayson was in and even his ward number.

She hadn’t gone because she knew there were already plenty of people fussing over him yesterday. There was no reason for her to insert herself,

And besides, the person Jayson had been trying to protect yesterday wasn’t her. He just picked the wrong person in the heat of the moment. There was no reason for her to play it up and act moved.

After eating, she tidied up the place a little before heading out. She drove straight to the hospital.

There was a convenience store downstairs that still had breakfast items out.

Ariel hesitated for a second, thinking that visiting a patient empty–handed didn’t feel right. So she went in and bought a cup of oatmeal and a sandwich.

Only then did she head upstairs.

Just as she reached the door of the ward, she bumped into Colton on his way out.

His expression turned complicated when he saw her. “Ms. Walker. Mr. Larkin just had his dressing changed. Are you planning to stay and take care of him?”

Ariel paused, looked at him, and said nothing.

Colton felt the chill in her silence. He frowned slightly. “If you’ve got anything to say to him, make it quick. Ms. Stanton will be back soon.”

Nancy wasn’t comfortable leaving Jayson alone, so she had decided to stay and help take care of him. She was now downstairs talking to the doctor.

Colton wanted to prevent Nancy from running into Ariel and stirring up tension.

“Did Jayson say that?” Ariel asked calmly.

That shut Colton up instantly. His face stiffened with an awkward flash of surprise and discomfort.