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Novel Catalog
Chapter 3
Cordy’s gaze was cold as she faced Kyle. The bitterness in her chest had only grown since the night he abandoned her to save Noel. The hurt had cut deeper than she was willing to admit, and she felt that any attempt at reconciliation would only degrade her further. Still, she had shared three years with him, and if nothing else, she deserved an explanation. But as she stared at him, her pride held her tongue.
Kyle’s eyes flickered between Cordy and the man beside her. Recognition dawned slowly as he realized the stranger was one of the firefighters who had rushed into the hotel the night before. Kyle had been too focused on Cordy’s safety to see his face clearly, but he could still recall his imposing figure. Now, he couldn’t help but feel an unsettling sense of competition.
Before Kyle could gather his thoughts, Cordy’s voice cut through the silence, steady and firm. “Let’s break up, Kyle.”
The words hit him like a physical blow. His chest tightened in disbelief, and he could feel his pulse quicken as a sense of panic gripped him. “What?” Kyle stammered, his voice rising with frustration. “You’re ending everything after three years, Cordy? Over a firefighter?!” His finger pointed accusingly at John, as if the man were the cause of all his troubles.
John’s lips twitched, but his expression remained impassive. His gaze met Kyle’s for a moment, but he didn’t react. He had no interest in the petty drama unfolding before him. Still, he wasn’t about to leave.
Cordy’s voice was ice-cold, but the anger bubbling beneath her calm demeanor was evident. “You know very well why we’re breaking up, Kyle. Don’t treat me like I’m an idiot. Everything was clear when you chose to save Noel last night. I’m not going to stay with someone who makes decisions like that.”
Kyle’s face froze. He had no comeback for her accusation. For a long moment, he stood there, staring at her, a whirlwind of emotions in his eyes. But then, as if a weight had been lifted, he spoke in a quieter tone, almost resigned. “Maybe we never should have been together. You’re so strong and independent, Cordy… I just felt like I didn’t matter. When I’m with you, I feel… useless.”
Cordy looked at him, her heart aching as the memories of their time together flooded her mind. She remembered the young man she met abroad, full of charm and innocence, the way he had always made her feel cherished, despite her troubled past. But now, his words stung. He had once promised her the world, vowing never to leave her. Yet now, it was as if her strength had become a burden to him.
She forced a smile, despite the pain twisting in her chest. “So, being with me was stressful? All this time, I thought we were building something together, and now you’re saying it was all too much?” She shook her head. “You’re just using your insecurities as an excuse, Kyle. Don’t you dare try to make me feel guilty for wanting something more.”
Kyle’s eyes softened, regret evident in them, but there was also relief. “Take care, Cordy. You can always reach out to me if you need anything, okay? We’re still friends.”
Cordy’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Save your pity, Kyle. I don’t need your charity, and I don’t want anything to do with a man who would abandon me when it mattered most.” She leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Remember this, Kyle Jessop—I was the one who dumped you. I hope you and Noel live happily ever after, and never regret your decision.”
Her words hit their mark, leaving Kyle standing there, humiliated and speechless. The man who had once been her everything was now just a distant memory. He had nothing left to say, and he knew it.
With a final, silent look, Kyle turned and began to leave. But before he could exit, he cast a resentful glance at John. “I’ve seen too many men like you—good-looking but broke. They’re just after women’s money and pleasure. Don’t fall for his—”
Cordy didn’t want to hear another word. “Do I look like a loose woman to you, Kyle Jessop?” she shot back, her voice sharp and cutting.
John, who had remained quiet throughout, adjusted his hair, his stance casual yet undeniably confident. He glanced at Kyle, his expression as indifferent as ever. “If you want to end up in the dumps, suit yourself,” Kyle muttered, storming out in a huff.
Once the door slammed shut, the room fell into an eerie silence. Cordy exhaled deeply, her muscles relaxing as the tension in her body faded. She turned her attention back to John, her voice quieter now. “Thank you for helping me to my bed, and for dealing with Kyle.”
John gave a curt nod. “No problem, Ms. Sachs. Please get some rest.”
But just before he could leave, he paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. He placed a stack of tissues by her bedside and spoke, his tone unexpectedly gentle. “If a man feels stressed being with you, it’s not your fault. It’s because he’s lacking.”
Cordy blinked, taken aback by his words. There was something about John’s quiet confidence that made him stand apart from other men she had known. He wasn’t trying to win her over or make her feel sorry for him. He was simply stating the truth, and in a strange way, it was exactly what she needed to hear.
As John exited the room, Cordy sat back against her pillow, her mind swirling. She had just ended a chapter of her life, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps it wasn’t just about moving on—it was about finding someone who could see her for who she truly was, without the weight of expectations or past mistakes.
Outside the room, John slowed his pace, his phone vibrating in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, frowning slightly as he answered. “Winston.”
“Yes, Mr. Levine?”
“I need you to prepare an extra meal for the patient in the room next to Dicky,” John said, his tone businesslike. “Make sure it’s ready.”
Winston acknowledged him with a prompt, “Yes, Mr. Levine.”
John hung up, but just as he did, his phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, he answered with a slight smile. “Bob.”
“I heard about the fire at your hotel,” Bob Davis teased. “Big damage, huh? You’re feeling okay?”
John’s response was flat, though there was a hint of humor in his voice. “It’s fine. The fire happened at the right time.”
Bob chuckled. “Well, if you’re down, we should go out for drinks.”
“No time for that,” John replied. “But if you’re celebrating, I’m happy to join.”
Before Bob could respond, John abruptly changed the subject. “Is Dicky getting discharged today?”
“Not yet,” John answered. “He’s staying for another half month.”
Bob’s concern turned into confusion. “Wait, what? Dicky’s staying at the hospital for fun?”
John’s expression didn’t change. “Exactly. It’s just a bit of fun.”
Bob was clearly taken aback. “Is the hospital some kind of hotel for you?”
John didn’t answer directly. “Talk to you later,” he said, hanging up before Bob could ask more questions.
As he turned toward his son’s ward, John’s lips curled into a rare smile. It was the first time in a while that he felt truly at ease. His thoughts drifted back to Cordy, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if things would turn out differently this time.