Chapter 1295

Many cars lined the roadside, but Skylar kept her eyes fixed on the hospital entrance from her car. According to Joe's usual Wednesday schedule, she expected to see him within ten minutes. Sure enough, ten minutes later, a car pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Joe emerged, but Skylar didn't immediately approach. She reasoned that if she interrupted him now, he would be rushed to his appointment and wouldn't listen. So she waited.

After about an hour, as Joe exited the hospital, she ran to intercept him. He didn't initially notice her, but upon seeing someone blocking his path, he looked up. His surprise was evident; his eyes widened in shock.

"Why, it's you!" he exclaimed.

Skylar felt as though a lifetime had passed. Previously, she'd only known him as Ned, her feelings limited to a facial recognition of him that made her miss Joe. Now, she knew this was Joe, the man she'd searched for over three years.

"Yeah, it's me," she replied softly.

Joe's deep eyes grew cold and dark. For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating. Even after leaving Jipsburg, Skylar's impact on him had intensified. His psychologist that day had even suggested he might have developed feelings for her, or, alternatively, that she held significant subconscious importance.

"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice low. This couldn't be a coincidence; she must have planned this. "Did you investigate my whereabouts?" His voice hardened, his eyes revealing wariness alongside complex emotions.

Suppressing her turmoil, Skylar admitted, "Yes, I had someone find you. I learned you come to this hospital every Wednesday afternoon."

Joe's eyes narrowed. Skylar felt a dull ache in her chest. Even at their first meeting, he had never regarded her with such suspicion and accusation. The accident had changed him.

"Let's talk," she suggested. "But not here."

Joe didn't immediately agree. He checked his watch. "Get in the car. I'll give you ten minutes."

"Okay," Skylar readily agreed.

They got into the car, and Joe drove to a less crowded area. "Go ahead," he said.