The hallway of the remodeled loft was a masterpiece of modern design. Exposed brick walls and polished concrete floors gave way to sleek, minimalist decor. A stunning chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the space.
At the far end of the hall, a heavy door made of solid wood and adorned with a sleek, silver door knob seemed to loom like a sentinel. Liam stood before it, his fist clenched and his arm raised, as he pounded on the door with increasing urgency.
She wondered what the hell the emergency was. There was nobody else on this floor other than the security staff that occupied the other unit. Was she in danger? Her hair dripped; it was soaked, and she had left wet footprints on the floor. She held a towel in her hands. She eyed her go bag in the closet.
Selena had hastily wrapped herself in a luxurious silk house coat, the soft fabric clinging to her wet body as she stepped out of the shower. The pounding on the door was insistent, and she quickly made her way to answer it. Peering through the peephole, she saw Liam's frantic face and immediately opened the door.
"Selena! Open up! It's Liam!" he called out, his voice laced with panic and worry. Selena's brows furrowed. She began unlocking the door for her friend.
Liam's mind was racing with thoughts of his friend, Jonah, who lay in the hospital, fighting for his life. He had to tell Selena the news, make sure she was okay, and bring her to the hospital. But as he waited for her to answer the door, his anxiety only grew. He heard the locks disengage as she opened the door.
He was not the type to arrive without calling first. The answering machine blinked in the corner of the room, her cell phone lying beside it, charging. Her shoulders slumped. He probably did try. She opened the door, getting through all the locks. She disarmed the security system.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Selena stood before him, her hair dripping wet and her skin radiant from the shower. She was wrapped in a silk robe that clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination. Liam's eyes widened as he took in the sight of her, his crush on her threatening to overwhelm him.
"Hey, Liam, what's going on?" Selena asked her voice husky from the shower. She ran a towel through her hair.
Liam's expression turned serious. "I've been trying to reach you. You didn't answer your phone."
Selena nodded, gesturing to a nearby table where her phone was plugged into a charger. "Sorry, the battery was dead. I'm charging it now. I think I turned the ringer off on the main phone." Selena innocently shrugged and gave an apologetic smile.
Liam's anxiety spiked, but he pushed aside his frustration. He had to tell her that if it was Jakob, he would want her to push aside the annoyance and get to the point. "Never mind, I'm here now. I have to tell you something," he said, his voice low and urgent. "It's about Jonah. He's in the hospital. He was in an accident, and...and it's not looking good."
Selena's eyes widened in shock, and she stepped aside, allowing Liam to enter. "What?" Selena's voice shook with emotion, and a cold chill ran down her spine. She thought she prevented this. Tears threatened to spill.
Liam burst into the apartment, his eyes scanning the space before locking onto Selena. He hugged her awkwardly; it was not the time for his hormones right now. She needed to be comforted. "He got into a car accident with Jakob and Michael. They are in the hospital. Get dressed. I will drive you."
The scent of her shampoo and soap wafted up, intoxicating him. But as he took in the rest of the apartment, he was struck by the unique atmosphere. He had never been here before.
Hydroponic plants filled the space, herbs, and vegetables growing in place of traditional houseplants. The modern furniture was comfortable and inviting, and Selena's artwork adorned the walls, showcasing her talent as a painter.
"I will be quick." Without hesitation, she rushed to her room, determined to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Her room was a cozy, stylish sanctuary with cream-colored walls adorned with framed photographs and artwork. A plush, gray area rug covered the floor, and a comfortable, velvet-upholstered armchair sat in one corner, piled high with pillows and throws.
Selena's bed, a sturdy, wooden four-poster, dominated the center of the room, its crisp, white linens and soft, gray blankets invitingly rumpled.
Selena tore into her closet, yanking out a warm, oatmeal-colored sweater and a pair of dark, fitted jeans. She quickly shed her silk robe, tossing it onto the bed as she pulled on her clothes. Her long, dark hair was still damp from the shower, but she didn't have time to worry about that now. She hastily braided it, securing the end with a small silver clip.
Next, she grabbed a pair of sturdy, brown ankle boots and pulled them on, lacing them up quickly. A warm, golden-brown scarf was tossed around her neck, and she snatched up her soft, gray coat, shrugging it on as she rushed out of her room.
Liam was waiting for her in the hallway, his eyes sympathetic.
"Ready?" he asked as Selena nodded, already moving toward the door.
She grabbed her bag, a sturdy, black leather tote, and slung it over her shoulder. As they reached the entrance to the loft, Selena pushed a small, discreet button on the wall, and a soft, golden light flickered on. A small, metal plaque above the button read,
"Leaving, no guard needed."
Selena grabbed her 3-day go bag and her carry-on for tomorrow. It was stocked up with a phone charger, magazines, and things to pass the time with. With that, the door swung open, and Selena and Liam hurried out into the cool, autumn evening, bound for the hospital and the uncertain fate of Selena's brother, Jonah.
As they rushed out of the apartment, Selena's mind was reeling. She couldn't believe what was happening. Liam drove her to the emergency room, his silence a comforting presence.
When they arrived, Selena saw Eun Ho and Jonathan, their faces etched with worry. Liam went to check on Jakob, who had also been injured in the crash.
Selena's heart was heavy as she approached Eun Ho and Jonathan. "How is he?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Eun Ho's eyes filled with tears as she took Selena's hand. "He's in a coma, Selena. The doctors are doing everything they can, but...it's not looking good."
Selena's eyes widened as tears pooled, and Jonathan quickly wrapped his arms around her and his daughter, offering what little comfort he could.
As they hugged, Selena noticed Claire sitting nearby, her eyes red from crying. Selena went to her and asked, "Claire, what's wrong?"
Claire sniffled and said, "I'm pregnant, Selena. I'm having Jonah's baby. He didn't know."
Selena's eyes widened, and she hugged Claire tightly. "I'm going to be an aunt. Jonah has to pull through this," she sweetly said, trying to find some joy amid tragedy.
But as she held Claire, Selena couldn't shake the feeling that this was a turning point in their lives. Jonah's destiny, and hers, had changed forever.
Selena looked at her brother, emotionally drained. The hospital room was quiet; The only sound was the steady beeping of the machines surrounding Jonah's bed. Selena sat beside him, holding his hand and whispering words of encouragement, even though she knew he couldn't hear her.
Suddenly, the machines surrounding Jonah began to beep erratically, and the room erupted into chaos. The nurse rushed in, her face pale. "Code blue! Code blue!" she shouted, grabbing the phone to call for backup.
The doctor rushed in, followed by a team of nurses and technicians. They quickly assessed the situation and sprang into action. Selena watched in horror.
"He's coding," the doctor explained to Selena, his voice calm and professional. "We need to work. Please leave or move out of the way."
Selena's eyes widened as she watched the medical team work to save Jonah's life. They quickly attached defibrillator pads to his chest and administered shock after shock.
"Clear!" the doctor shouted, and the machine delivered a jolt of electricity to Jonah's heart.
The room was silent for a moment, and then the machines surrounding Jonah began to beep again. The doctor checked the monitors and nodded. "We've got a pulse," he said, his voice filled with relief.
"Oh, thank goodness," Selena let out a sob of relief, her eyes streaming with tears. She watched, feeling a sense of gratitude and hope. He was back, and she had been given a second chance. Her knees shook; she needed to get out of there…this was just too cruel. She had prevented the deaths of millions. Please just let her brother live.
The medical team continued to work on Jonah, administering medication and monitoring his vital signs. Slowly but surely, he began to stabilize. As the chaos in the room died down, Selena looked up at the doctor, her eyes filled with questions. "What happened?" she asked, her voice shaking.
The doctor hesitated before answering. "We're not entirely sure," he admitted. "But Jonah's brain may be swelling, we'll need to do surgery."
Selena nodded, her mind racing with questions and fears. But for now, she just held onto Jonah's hand, grateful that he was still alive.
Selena updated her parents emotionally over the phone in an alcove. As they comforted each other, Selena eventually pulled away and made her way to a quiet alcove, seeking a moment alone. Liam found her there, his eyes filled with concern.
"Selena, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.
Selena's face crumpled, and she wept. "Jonah could die, Liam. He's probably not going to make it."
Liam's face went pale, and he stumbled backward as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. But then he quickly regained his composure and wrapped his arms around Selena, holding her close.
"I'm so sorry, Selena," he whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you. God."
Selena hugged Liam tightly, seeking comfort in his embrace. She cried; she always felt relief after talking things out with him. Since Molly died, they became friends with shared goals. Her feelings grew from that day when he had given her that heart locket. No one man had ever done something so touching for her in both her lives.
He didn't know that she wanted to engineer A.A.'s with him to do it better as a team. He did not know the feelings she kept hidden for her brothers and his sake. He was one of her best friends.
As they held each other, Liam's feelings for Selena, which he'd kept hidden for years, began to bubble to the surface. He looked down at her red-rimmed eyes; he wiped a tear with his thumb and sighed.
He pulled out one of his handkerchiefs and gently wiped Selena's face, his touch sending shivers down her spine from the tender look. They were both heartbroken and hopeless. She looked up, seeking more comfort.
Liam looked down wordlessly, the handkerchief dropping. They both looked into each other's eyes and, without thinking, they shared a gentle, passionate kiss. He did not know who had initiated the kiss; it was a sudden warmth. He could not help but deepen it.
The kiss deepened, and they found themselves lost in the moment, seeking comfort and solace in each other's arms. Liam picked her small frame up as he stumbled into the bathroom, their lips were still locked, and their clothes were quickly discarded. He clicked the door lock as they both tore each other's clothes off desperately.
Her lips left hot trails down his neck as he flipped the changing table down in the restroom in the vacant hallway in the hospital. He picked her up, kissing her back clumsily, his lips licked and cupped her breasts, and she urged him onwards.
Her eyes watered as they crossed the threshold of intimacy; the pain was brief and bittersweet as their bodies entwined. She held on to him as they both explored each other's bodies after years of friendship and unrequited love.
They found a fleeting sense of peace and comfort in each other's arms. It was a moment of raw emotion, a desperate attempt to find solace in a world that had been turned upside down. Their breathing became heavy as the table creaked and her toes curled. They stifled their moans and shook with ecstasy.
Selena and Liam sobered up from their actions after the deed was completed. She quietly pulled on her clothes. Liam felt immense guilt wash over him as he dressed. Her brother was lying in a hospital bed. He was his best friend, and he had done this with her in the hospital.
He was going to wait for a better time. But with the Lowries, you never knew when that time was going to be bad.
Selena walked back to the waiting room and found her mother. She sat herself down beside her mother silently. The way he had looked in her eyes, it seemed to her that he felt the same way about her.
Talking about their feelings and starting something new out of this tragedy might lead to a disaster in their social group. Selena was sure she was in love with him, regardless of all of her past with the different versions of him. She had to figure this out with him soon.
She leaned her head on her mother's shoulder, her exhaustion overtaking her. "Moon, your cheeks are flushed? Are you coming down with something?" Eun Ho said, feeling her daughter's forehead with her hand.
Selena felt a blush creep across her face. "No, I just am exhausted. I was just finishing up work before I came home for the weekend to celebrate with Jonah. I cannot believe this. He cannot leave me alone. I will not let him. I promise you, Mom, so make sure you do everything you can to keep him alive. Do not give up. Trust me."
Eun Ho felt the tears brim in her swollen eyes; her daughter was stubborn. She had calculated his fate and knew he would face a major calamity in his life, but not something like this.
Not another loss, like Joon-Su. Eun Ho knew the toll the loss of a brother felt like. Joon-Su had lost his life in a car bombing when she was not much older than Selena. It was the cause of her own children's premature birth.
The pain of the loss exacerbated her postpartum depression into postpartum psychosis. A tear rolled down her cheek. Not her son. Eun Ho was full of rage and resentment towards the universe itself.
She was still waiting for the investigation results. Kim Chaeri, her guard, was down at the gas station to check for possible cameras and recordings. She had the funds to buy the copies and bribe whoever she needed to get to the bottom of this.