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Novel Catalog
Chapter 2
Cordy felt a wave of conflicting emotions as John carried her back to her bed. Her heart pounded at the proximity, at the warmth of his arms around her, but there was also a deep sense of discomfort. She was used to solitude and independence, and any gesture of closeness made her tense, especially given the painful history she carried from her past. Yet, there was something about John’s presence that calmed her, even if it was just for a fleeting moment.
As John gently placed her back on the bed, Cordy couldn’t help but glance at the door where the angry voice had come from. She was certain it was Kyle. But what was he doing here? Had he heard about the fire? Would he actually show up now, after everything?
Before she could dwell further on the thought, the door swung open, and in walked the man she had once believed was her future—Kyle. His eyes were wild with concern, but they quickly narrowed when he saw John standing by Cordy’s bed, still close. The air thickened with tension, and Kyle’s voice broke the silence, sharp and edged with disbelief.
“What’s going on here?” Kyle demanded, his gaze flickering between Cordy and John, the animosity clear in his stance. “I don’t remember asking for anyone’s help.”
Cordy felt her heart ache as Kyle’s words stung. There was a time when his voice would soothe her, when his presence would make her feel safe. Now, it felt like a heavy reminder of all the pain that had built between them. She barely knew how to respond, especially when she could see the jealousy and frustration in Kyle’s eyes.
John didn’t flinch at Kyle’s hostile tone. His expression remained unflappable, as though accustomed to being challenged by people who didn’t understand the way he operated. “I’m just offering to help,” he said calmly, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “She’s injured, and it’s the least I can do after what happened in my venue.”
Kyle’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond immediately. Cordy, caught between the two men, let out a slow breath. She didn’t want to be in the middle of this—didn’t want to deal with the harsh reality that Kyle had never truly been there when she needed him most.
“I’m fine, Kyle,” Cordy said quietly, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of resignation. “I don’t need your protection right now.”
The words felt heavy as they hung in the air, but Cordy had finally reached a point where she realized the truth: Kyle was not her savior, and she didn’t need him to be.
Kyle’s gaze softened momentarily, but it quickly turned to frustration. “So, you’re just going to let him carry you around like this?” he spat, the bitterness evident in his tone.
Cordy didn’t flinch this time. Instead, she met his gaze, her eyes steady, and said, “You left me when I needed you the most, Kyle. Don’t act like you’re here for me now.”
Her words cut through the tension, the truth lingering in the silence between them. Kyle opened his mouth, but no words came out. John, still standing with his calm, collected demeanor, gave one last glance at Kyle before turning to Cordy.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” he said, his voice devoid of judgment or expectation, before he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Cordy to face the man who had once been everything to her.
As the door closed behind him, Cordy exhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to clear her thoughts. Kyle’s presence still loomed in the room, but she no longer felt the same attachment to him. The man who had once seemed like her everything was now just another figure from her past.
“I’m sorry, Cordy,” Kyle’s voice broke through, softer now. “I didn’t mean to…”
She cut him off, shaking her head. “There’s nothing left to say, Kyle.”
With that, she turned her gaze to the window, watching the sunlight filter through the blinds. The past was behind her, and the future was uncertain. But one thing was clear: she wasn’t going to let anyone hold her back anymore.