Chapter 211

Chapter 211

The elderly patient from bed 5 was currently livestreaming to her grandson via her smartphone. Upon spotting any text, she’d jump to conclusions. “Look! That says ‘Merry Christmas!!

A younger person nearby corrected her, “I think you got that wrong. It’s ‘Happy Birthday’!”

“To mess up such important events, that’s gotta be a major blunder, right? The person in charge is probably getting fired for this.”

Only Leanne’s movements froze for a moment unnoticed by anyone else.

Jeremy came looking for her just as the mistaken message disappeared.

He glanced at Leanne’s distant expression and asked, “Do you enjoy the fireworks?”

Leanne, as if snapping back to reality and not quite catching his words, apologized, “Oh, got a bit carried away and forgot you were still here.”

“No worries,” Jeremy said. “Your work is important.”

The spectacular fireworks show continued, but Leanne didn’t stay to watch, turning away

from the window.

“Shall I walk you out?” she offered to Jeremy.

Jeremy wanted to remind her they hadn’t made wishes or cut the cake yet, but eventual he held back his words.

He knew it was her way of saying no.

Leanne was always considerate of others’ feelings, often more so than her own.

She was seldom rude to anyone.

Her rudeness today was probably because he had crossed a line.

Jeremy handed her two gifts, one from Selina and one from himself.

His gift was a watch, not too pricey but also not too lavish for a friend, making it hard for Leanne to refuse.

Leanne accepted it, thanking him for the day.

On their way downstairs, Leanne didn’t notice Jeremy’s unusual silence.

She was lost in her thoughts, preoccupied.

Stepping out of the hospital building, the biting cold wind hit them, making all worries seem trivial.

Jeremy stopped, “You should go back to work,

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D8 20

Chapter 211

Leanne nodded, still polite but distant, “Take care on your way back.”

As she was about to leave, Jeremy stood still and then spoke up, “Was I too forward. today?”

Leanne turned to him, about to respond.

Jeremy continued, “I came to celebrate your birthday, but you didn’t seem happy.”

“Sorry,” said Leanne. “It’s not about you. I just didn’t want to give you impression.”

the

wrong

Knowing he had feelings for her, which she didn’t plan to reciprocate, made it hard for her to accept his kindness without feeling guilty.

“I should be the one apologizing. I assumed you’d be lonely on your birthday without considering how you felt.” Then Jeremy asked, “Does it trouble you?”

“A bit.” The night was chilly, and Leanne tucked her hands into her coat pockets, deciding

to clear the air.

“Jeremy, you’re a great friend, but I’m afraid of giving you the wrong idea and then hurting you.”

“But I don’t mind getting hurt by you…”

“I do,” Leanne interjected.

“I’ve been hurt before. I know how painful it is and how dreadful it is to hurt som else. So, yes, I do care. I believe in treating others how you’d want to be treated.”

Jeremy fell silent for a moment before saying, “Leanne, I know about your past w and how much it hurt you, making it hard to open up again. But not everyone is CL won’t hurt you, and I’m not afraid of getting hurt. I even wish you wouldn’t have suc strong boundaries, even if it means giving me hope, just so I could have a chance.”