Morning came slowly.
Lina hadn't slept.
She stayed by her mother's side the entire night.
"…Ma," she whispered softly, holding her hand.
"You have to stay strong, okay?"
Her voice cracked.
"I'm trying… I really am…"
Footsteps approached.
She didn't look up.
Until—
"Miss Reyes?"
She blinked.
A hospital staff member stood there.
"…Yes?"
"There's something you need to know."
Lina's heart dropped.
"…What is it?"
"The payment for the treatment—"
Her breath stopped.
"…has already been handled."
Silence.
"…What?"
"Everything is covered."
Her hands trembled.
"No… no, that's not possible…"
"It's already confirmed."
"…Who?"
A pause.
Then—
The answer she both expected…
And feared.
"The payment was arranged by Mr. Adrian Hale."
The world went quiet.
Completely.
Lina stood there—
Frozen.
"…Him?"
"Yes."
Her mind flashed back—
The anonymous payment.
His words.
If someone helped you… accept it.
Her chest tightened.
"…Why…"
She didn't remember leaving the hospital.
Didn't remember the ride.
Didn't remember anything—
Until—
She was standing in front of him.
In his office.
"…Sir."
Adrian looked up.
And immediately—
He knew.
"…You found out."
It wasn't a question.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Emotional.
"…Why didn't you tell me?" Lina asked softly.
Her voice trembled.
Not angry.
Not loud.
But hurt.
Adrian stood.
"…It wasn't necessary."
"Not necessary?" she repeated.
Her grip tightened.
"That's not something small!"
"I know."
"Then why hide it?!"
Because if I told you—
You'd feel burdened.
Because if I told you—
You might push me away.
Because if I told you—
This would become something more.
But instead—
He said the simplest answer.
"…Because I wanted to help."
Lina stared at him.
Her eyes slowly filled with emotion.
"…You always decide things on your own," she whispered.
"And I'm supposed to just accept it?"
"I told you to—"
"I don't want to owe you!"
The words hit harder than expected.
Silence.
Then—
"I didn't do it for that," Adrian said quietly.
"Then why?"
A pause.
A long one.
Because the truth—
Was dangerous.
"…Because I can," he said instead.
And that—
Was the wrong answer.
Lina's expression fell.
"…I see."
She stepped back slightly.
A small distance—
But it felt much bigger.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Formal.
Polite.
Painfully distant.
"I'll pay you back."
"That's not necessary."
"It is to me."
Their eyes met.
For the first time—
Not warm.
Not soft.
But conflicted.
"…I don't want charity," Lina said.
Then turned—
And walked away.
Leaving Adrian standing there.
Alone.
And for the first time—
He realized—
He might have made the wrong choice.