Chapter 221

Allison stepped out of the room, her gaze drifting toward the hospital entrance where Floyd was already waiting.

"Allison," he greeted her with a soft, reassuring smile, "didn't I tell you everything would turn out fine?"

"I've just looked over Kellan's test results," Floyd continued. "The bleeding has stopped, and fortunately, there's no serious damage."

The tension eased from Allison. "That's a relief."

But Floyd, ever the keen observer, noticed a slight curve at the corners of her lips—subtle, but unmistakable. There was an ease in her demeanor that hadn't been there when she entered the room. Something in her had shifted. It looked like her chat with Kellan went very well. His brow lifted in curiosity.

"Allison, are you… fond of Kellan?"

Her reflex was swift. Her brow knitted slightly as she shot back, "Of course not. We're just friends."

Was she really so sure? Once upon a time, their connection had been an afterthought—an impulsive night neither had expected to linger beyond the morning. But the more she crossed paths with him, the more she found herself drawn to the natural rhythm of their interaction. Still, Kellan had made it clear on more than one occasion that friendship was all they shared. She wasn't one to assume that just because a man was close to her, he must have romantic intentions. That wasn't how life worked.

"Is that so?" Floyd said. "You've changed, Allison. You used to be like a fortress—always bracing yourself or shutting people out. But around Kellan, you're… different. You laugh. You let your guard down. You don't hide behind that iron wall."

Floyd's words stung with their truth. He knew her better than most, maybe even better than she knew herself sometimes! His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, missed nothing. He could read her the way a skilled musician reads sheet music—every flicker of emotion, every unspoken thought betrayed in the subtle shifts of her expression.

She hesitated, weighing her response carefully before saying, "People change. Maybe I'm just tired of carrying around all the weight I've been dragging for the past three years. Kellan… well, he's easy to be with. He's like one of those rare finds—the kind of guy who shouldn't still be single but somehow is. It's fun to get under his skin."

Floyd smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "As long as you're being honest with yourself."

As they chatted, a twinge of dejection gnawed at Floyd. After all, he had once pursued Allison, only to face the bitter sting of rejection. Their relationship hung in an awkward balance, yet Allison seemed blissfully unbothered. Time and again, she had turned him down, each rejection clear and sincere. It dawned on him that Allison had always viewed him strictly as a friend, which was likely why she felt so at ease confiding in him about her troubles. That realization only deepened the wound of his rejection.

Before he could muster a reply, Rebecca came barreling over from across the room, wrapping her arms around Allison in a whirlwind of emotion.

"Allison, my darling! You have no idea how terrified I was when I saw the livestream!" Rebecca's voice quivered as she embraced her tightly, her hands shaking. "I was on a business trip abroad, but the moment I caught wind of what happened, I hopped on the next flight back! Thank the stars you're okay! I would never have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you! It's all my fault for burying myself in work and not being here for you!"

Allison gently patted Rebecca's head, her smile warm and reassuring. "This has nothing to do with you. No one could have predicted that lunatic. But look at me—I'm right here, safe and sound." She met Rebecca's gaze. "You must be exhausted from your trip. You should get some rest."

"Not a chance!" Rebecca countered, her eyes sparkling. "Knowing you're okay is all the energy I need!" With a playful tug on Allison's arm, she continued, "And remember when you mentioned wanting to try extreme sports? A few events got canceled, so I signed you up for short-track speed skating. The prize money for this one is massive!" Rebecca had a knack for making lightning-fast decisions, and she never forgot what Allison said. "My darling, the competition kicks off in about a month. Want me to fill you in on the other contestants?"

Allison chuckled. "I'm not too concerned about them, but Rebecca, I appreciate it."

With a mock eye-roll, Rebecca replied, "No more thank yous! We're best friends, right?"

As they bantered, Ferdinand arrived at the hospital, casting a teasing glance at Rebecca. "Miss Green, why have I never seen that charming side of you directed at me?"

Rebecca smirked, unfazed. "I'm sincere with sincere people. But with sly foxes like you, I've got to play the game just like you do."

Allison exchanged a knowing glance with Floyd, both sensing an electric undercurrent between the two.

To lighten the mood, Allison beamed and said, "Rebecca and I are off now. You two take care."

Once in the car, Allison asked, "I thought you and Ferdinand were getting along just fine. What was with all that tension back there?"

Rebecca shrugged, nonchalant. "Oh, that? Well, my dad's been pushing me to marry into the Blakely family. He even set me up on a blind date with Ferdinand. Turns out, he's against marriage. Funny enough, so am I!"

Allison chuckled, the memory lingering. She raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You better mean it this time!" After all, Rebecca had her quirks. Sometimes, she was all about playing the field, but other times, she'd wax poetic about love's true meaning. Occasionally, she was even ready to don a wedding gown.

Rebecca clicked her tongue, indignantly. "Of course I mean it! I always mean what I say!"