Chapter 49 Don’t Act like Yau Core
Chapter 49 Don’t Act Like You Care
Mia’s POV
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Consciousness returned slowly, like swimming up through dark water. My head felt thick and heavy, the pain dulled by whatever medication they’d given me yesterday. The darkness remained absolute- not the normal darkness of a closed room or nighttime, but something complete and impenetrable.
A subtle movement of air touched my skin as someone shifted nearby. Then I caught it that familiar scent of expensive cologne mingled with something uniquely Kyle. My other senses seemed to have sharpened to compensate for my lost vision, making his presence almost painfully clear.
I tried to push myself up, my hands uncertain on the unfamiliar hospital sheets. Immediately, I felt Kyle move closer, the mattress dipping slightly as he leaned in.
“Careful,” his voice came from my left, rough with what sounded like sleep. He must have been dozing in the chair beside my bed. “Let me help you sit up.”
“I can manage,” I said.
His hands were gentle but firm as he helped adjust my position, arranging pillows behind my back. The casual touch sent unwanted shivers down my spine. Even after everything, my body still betrayed me with its response to his proximity.
“Better?” he asked, his voice closer than I expected.
I nodded, then realized I wasn’t sure if he could see the gesture in the dim pre–dawn light. “Yes, thank you.”
Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words. The steady beep of monitors and the distant sounds of the hospital provided the only soundtrack to our awkward tableau.
“The doctor said the latest test results are promising,” Kyle finally said, his voice carefully neutral. “The blindness should be temporary once they get your blood pressure stabilized.”
“I know.” I twisted the edge of the blanket between my fingers, needing something to focus on besides his overwhelming presence. “They explained everything yesterday.”
“Are you hungry? I could have something brought up from the café”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You need to eat something, Mia.” A hint of frustration crept into his tone. “The doctors said-
“I know what the doctors said.” The words came out sharper than intended. I took a breath, trying to steady myself. “I just… can’t right now.”
More silence. I heard him shift in his chair, the leather creaking softly. 1
“Would you like to talk?” he asked finally. “About anything?”
“Like what?”
“Anything.” A pause.
“I don’t want.” I turned my face away, hating how tears burned behind my useless eyes. “Please don’t do this, Kyle. Don’t pretend to care just because I’m in the hospital.”
“I’m not pretending.” His voice dropped lower.
I felt tears threatening to spill and blinked hard against the darkness. A tissue appeared in my palm, Kyle’s fingers brushing mine as he placed it there.
“If you want me to leave–” he started.
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Chapter 49 Don’t Act Like Yau Care
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“Please.” My voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Alright.” The chair creaked as he stood. “I’ll be right outside if you need anything. The nurse’s call button is by your right hand.
After the door closed softly behind him, I let myself cry properly. The darkness made everything worse somehow. I couldn’t even see my own hands as I wiped away tears.
At least the doctors were optimistic. Temporary blindness, they’d said. Caused by stress and dangerously high blood pressure. Just needed time and rest and about a dozen different medications to get everything back to normal.
A knock at the door made me hastily wipe my face. “Come in.”
“Mrs. Branson.” Emma’s cheerful voice approached. “Time for your morning medications.”
“I can help with that.” Kyle’s voice surprised me – he must have come back in with Emma
“Are you sure, Mr. Branson?” Emma asked.
“Yes, I’ve got it.” Something passed between them – probably the medications and instructions.
After Emma left, I heard Kyle moving around the room. Water running briefly, then his footsteps approaching my bed.
“There are three pills,” he said, his voice gentle. “I’ll put them in your right hand. The water isn’t too hot, but tell me if it’s comfortable.”
He placed the pills in my palm, then guided my other hand to wrap around a warm cup. His fingers lingered on mine for a moment longer than necessary.
I swallowed the pills one by one, hyper–aware of Kyle’s presence beside me. The water was exactly the right temperature – of course it was. Kyle had always been precise about details.
“Thank you,” I said, holding out the cup. His fingers brushed mine as he took it.
“Your mother’s latest scans came back this morning,” he said after a moment. “The surgery site is healing perfectly. Dr. Pierce says her brain activity patterns are showing positive changes.”
A small wave of relief washed through me. “That’s… that’s good.”
“It is.” He paused. “The nurses said you didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Did they report everything to you?” I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice.
“They’re concerned. So am I.” The chair creaked as he sat again. “You need rest to recover, Mia.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.” His voice held a note of frustration. “You’re exhausted, malnourished, and your blood pressure is still dangerously high. Why won’t you let people help you?”
“Don’t.” I stopped, took a breath. My hands clenched in the blanket. “Don’t act like you care, Kyle. You really shouldn’t do this.”
Silence stretched between us, broken only by the steady beep of monitors.
“I do care.” he said finally, his voice rough.
“Please don’t.” My voice cracked slightly. “Don’t pretend this changes anything between us.”
“I’m not pretending.” He moved closer – I could feel the heat of him near my bed.
“Why? Kyle, why? It’s over. We are over!” The words burst out before I could stop them. “You should just stand by while I fall apart! Like you used to do!”
He stopped, and I heard him take a careful breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just…”
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Chapter 49 Don’t Act Like Yau Care
The raw honesty in his voice made my throat tight. “Kyle…”
“Yes?”
“Why are you really here?” I turned my face toward where I though
He was quiet for so long I thought he might not answer.
“Try to sleep,” he cut me off gently. “I’ll be right outside if you nee
I heard him stand, his footsteps moving toward the door. The door
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Chapter 49 Don’t Act Like You Care
The raw honesty in his voice made my throat tight. “Kyle…”
“Yes?”
“Why are you really here?” I turned my face toward where I thought he was. “What?”
He was quiet for so long I thought he might not answer.
“Try to sleep,” he cut me off gently. “I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”
I heard him stand, his footsteps moving toward the door. The door closed quietly, leaving me alone with darkness.
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