Megan nodded and patted Leonard on the shoulder. “If that’s how you feel, then that’s the best answer I could ask for.” Leonard glanced at her hand resting on his shoulder, his gaze flickering with something unreadable.

No one knew what was going through his mind.

“Don’t worry. If your cousin truly treats Aurora well, I won’t interfere. I’ll let time take care of whatever feelings I have.”

His words were flawless, leaving no room for doubt or suspicion.

Even Megan found herself moved.

She let out a quiet sigh. “You’re a good guy too, Leonard. But I guess timing really does matter.”

At that, the light in Leonard’s eyes dimmed slightly.

He realized that although Megan always appeared carefree and easygoing, she actually understood more than she let on.

She wasn’t as heartless as she pretended to be.

To Leonard, that sincerity made her even more endearing.

And yet, whenever he found himself drawn to her, he couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

Aurora was still lying unconscious in a hospital bed.

They didn’t even know if she would survive.

How could he already be thinking another woman was lovely?

Megan’s words pierced straight through him like a blade.

He lowered his eyes. “You’re right.”

“Maybe in the next life,” he thought silently.

For now, all he wanted was to stay quietly by Aurora’s side as a friend.

He had no right to wish for anything more.

“Come on, let’s go find a hotel. We can come back another time.”

Leonard picked up the luggage, ready to leave with Megan.

There was no point staying here if they couldn’t see Aurora.

Sticking around would only be a waste of time.

Megan dusted herself off and followed, sipping her tea as she caught up.

Watching Leonard effortlessly haul two suitcases, she gave him a thumbs-up. “You’re strong. Got all that muscle for a reason.”

Leonard chuckled. “Alright, let’s get going.”

They’d come here in such a rush, heading straight to the hospital without any other plan in mind.

Now, they definitely needed to find a place to stay.

Megan trailed closely behind Leonard.

When they reached the ground floor, they were met with a crowd gathered in the lobby.

Some people clutched their luggage, others had bandages wrapped around their heads or casts on their legs.

Everyone looked anxious.

The hospital lobby felt more like a chaotic marketplace, full of chatter and confusion.

Megan and Leonard exchanged a glance, both of them jolted by a sudden sense of unease, especially Megan–she had a gut feeling her dear cousin had something to do with this.

No one else would have the power or guts to pull off something this big.

Leonard’s first suspicion also landed on Lucas.

He lowered his head and gave Megan a look, silently asking if she knew what was going on.

Megan shook her head, signaling she was just as clueless.

They’d only been here a few hours, and she still felt completely lost.

Even with everything that happened between Leonard and Lucas earlier, she had been nothing more than a bystander.

That thought alone made Megan feel ridiculous.

Aside from knowing who Lucas was, she realized she didn’t know much more about him.

And even if Lucas was behind this, there was no way they could say it out loud.