Crushed Affections

Twenty minutes later, Lana received a call from an unknown number.

On the other end, a man's low, deliberate voice said calmly, "If you don't want to end up in trouble, maybe try treating those you dislike with some respect. Your mouth isn't just for eating and throwing insults... It could keep your family safe too." The line went dead immediately afterward.

Lana began to shake uncontrollably because she knew this wasn't just a threat. Whoever called her knew exactly how many family members she had.

Understanding precisely what the call was about, she frantically searched every floor of the hospital. She was desperate to find Bella, wanting to cling to her like a lifeline.

Outside the ER, she spotted Bella talking to a patient's family, and the sight brought her some relief. "B-Bella..."

Bella frowned when she saw Lana, and she ignored her until she was done with the family. Then, she walked toward Lana and said, "It's working time now. Can't you just let me work?"

Lana grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry. I was wrong before. I shouldn't have been so jealous, and I shouldn't have picked on you. Please, can you forgive me?"

Bella raised an eyebrow, hardly convinced. Just earlier, Lana had been giving her grief, and now, this sudden shift? No one would believe it so easily. "Did you lose your mind? I've told you I don't have time for this. Move!"

As Bella pulled her hand away, Lana felt that Bella was throwing out all hope. Lana clung to her arm again like it was the only thing keeping her from drowning. "I really know I was wrong! I won't fight with you anymore... Can't you just let it go?" Bella thought Lana had lost her mind. She managed to shake free again and turned to leave.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

The ER wasn't particularly busy today, so they had a break for lunch.

Bella had long since gotten used to being isolated and planned to eat alone. Unexpectedly, Lana approached her. "Want to order

takeout together? Do you her net

any

dietary restrictions? Just tell me, and

I'll remember."

Bella sensed something was off and paused before asking, "Lana, you don't need to act like this. Is this some new prank? Or... have you actually had a change of heart?"

Lana suspected Bella was putting on

an act. After all, she had just been threatened because of Bella, so how could Betta play innocent? However, she didn't dare to expose her or speak out of turn, so she kept her head bowed. "I really know was Wrong. Please forgive me and don't hold it against me, okay?"

Bella took a deep breath. "Alright, let's just pretend this never happened. Just don't come looking for trouble with me again. I'll skip lunch with you guys and eat outside." Lana's heart remained heavy, and she felt on edge all day, frequently calling home to make sure her family was safe.

Bella picked up on some details and began piecing together a conclusion-Dominic had merely pretended not to care that morning, but that wasn't entirely true...

She held back from asking him immediately. Later, while they were out for dinner, she casually brought it up. "Did you, by any chance, give Lana a hard time?"

In the charming atmosphere of the restaurant that was filled with romance, Dominic asked in a playful tone, "If I did, would you be upset?"

Bella matched his playful tone,

responding, "If you did this for me, I'd be ungrateful if I got mad, right? But if it's true, don't scare her too much. She's just a woman, and she has already apologized."

Dominic chuckled, cutting a piece of steak and offering it to her. "Honestly, I just gave her a little scare. Since you said that, I'll let it go."