When Eloise opened her eyes, the dazzling white light made her instinctively lift her arms to shield her face. The many needle holes on her skin reminded her of the cruel moment someone had taken her blood without consent. "Eloise! You're awake at last!" Vincent was the first one to rush to her side. His eyes, usually soft and charming, now looked full of fake concern. He reached out to touch her cheek, but Eloise turned her head without thinking. away "We're sorry we didn't get here sooner," Leonel spoke in a soft tone that almost sounded like a whisper. "What Ronald did was terrible. How could he force you to give blood?" Tobias handed her a glass of water. "Rest for now. We're going to settle things with Ronald right now." Her throat was sore and dry, but she silently watched their awkward acting. She had seen this exact moment too many times in her previous life. Every time Ronald Kur her or pushed her aside, these three would appear right away, using comforting words to fi the emptiness. But what happened after that? They would always find reasons to leave and run to their beloved crush, the one they've cared about all along. "No need," she said, her voice rough and weak. "I just want to be alone." The three men exchanged looks. Vincent was the first to speak. "Alright. Get some rest. We... we'll come back soon." They left quickly, even forgetting to close the door behind them. Eloise stared at the small opening and could hear them whispering in the hallway. "Has Cecilia woken up yet?" "Ronald won't let anyone in..." "Let's go buy her favorite dessert..." 0.00% 06:05 Chapter 4 224 figucnerg As the hospital room door finally closed, Eloise couldn't help but laugh, tears rolling down her face She felt so drained that she didn't even have the strength to expose their lies. For the next several days, Eloise stayed alone in her hospital room. Each time the nurse came in to check her bandages, she paused for a moment, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she just let out a soft sigh. "Ms. Patnick, your friends didn't visit today either?" Eloise gently shook her head, her gaze landing on the vase of lilies beside her bed, now drooping with age. Vincent had brought them three days ago. The flowers were wilting, their edges turning brown and curling up, just like the fake kindness they showed. Her phone buzzed. A new message appeared from Leonel, "Eloise, something urgent came up at work. We had to fly overseas. We have hired the best nurse for you, so you'll be fine." Then a message from Tobias followed, "Eloise, we'll bring you back a gift when we come back!" Lastly, Vincent sent one too, "Focus on healing. When we get back, we'll take you to your favorite French restaurant." Eloise didn't even look at the screen again. She tossed her phone aside without a second thought. She didn't really mind if they showed up or not. What bothered her more was how careless the nurses they hired were. One spilled hot water on her hand, another didn't notice when blood started backing up in the IV tube, and someone yanked the bandages off too roughly during a dressing change, making her wince in pain... Instead of getting better, her wounds stayed the same, and she ended up with even more burns and bruises. "I want to be discharged from the hospital." Eloise couldn't take it anymore and went through the discharge procedures, even though everyone tried to stop her. 06.05 Chapter 4 Meanwhile, Vincent, Leonel, and Tobias wrapped up their so-called work matters and came to pick her up from the hospital. As they walked past the VIP room, they caught part of a quiet conversation coming from a door that wasn't fully shut. "Just one more sip, okay?" Ronald's voice was soft and full of care. "The doctor said you need to eat more to get your strength back." Eloise stopped in her tracks and glance through the small opening. She saw Ronald gently feeding soup to Cecilia. He held the spoon with long, steady fingers, treating her like she might break. A nurse walking by whispered to her co-worker, "Mr. Kobeck's been by Ms. Rifkin's side every day. He even postponed company meetings. He really adores her." Eloise's hand tightened around the edge of her shirt without her realizing it. "Eloise..." Vincent quickly walked up, his face full of concern. "Don't let it get to you. Ronald's blind, but the three of us like you." Leonel added gently, "That's right. At your birthday party, you can pick one of us." Tobias also came over and said, "We promise we'll take good care of you." Eloise gave a soft smile, but her eyes were as cold as ice. "I'm not choosing anyone. Then she spoke clearly, pausing between each word, "I don't want any of you four." 06:05 Chapter 5 Title: Committed In CrushReel's ongoing novel "Committed," a man, grappling with the pressure to propose to his girlfriend, finds himself at a crossroads when he unexpectedly encounters a runaway bride. Seeking an escape from his relationship's demands, he embarks on a journey to Greece where he crosses paths with the enigmatic former... Exploring themes of love, commitment, and serendipity, this modern romance delves into the complexities of relationships and the unexpected turns life can take. As the protagonist navigates between duty and desire, readers are drawn into a tale of opposites attracting amidst picturesque Greek landscapes. What sets "Committed" apart is its heartfelt portrayal of emotional conflict and the pursuit of true connection. Dive into this sweet romance that promises twists of fate and heartfelt revelations. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a story that resonates with the beauty of unexpected encounters.