Love's Change of Heart

Leanna put down what she was holding and walked toward the door. Standing in front of the monitor, she didn’t see anyone outside, so she pushed open the door and looked around. Just as she was about to close the door, a low, hoarse male voice came from nearby. “Miss McKinney.”

At that sound, she turned around and saw a familiar figure in the elevator. She was stunned for two seconds. “Daniel?”

The man walked toward her, his face pale with a hint of sickness, and his tall figure swaying slightly.

With a forced smile, Daniel asked, “Is Zoe here?”

Leanna was about to respond, but seeing his current condition, her words caught in her throat. Instead, she stepped aside and suggested, “Why don’t you come in first?”

“It’s okay. I can’t stay outside for too long. I’ll come another day if Zoe is not here.” After saying that, he paused for a moment as if he wanted to say something to her, but then he thought it would be better to explain those things in front of Zoe.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

He shook his head and replied, “I’m fine. Sorry for making you all worry about me these days.”

“As long as you’re okay…”

Initially, she had many more questions to ask, but seeing him like this, she felt that he couldn’t hold on for much longer, as if he would collapse on the ground the next second.

Her gaze then fell on the back of his hand, where she saw the medical tape. It looks like he ran away from the hospital. “Let me take you to the hospital,” she suggested.

Yet, he refused. “No need to trouble you. I’ll just take a cab.” With that, he turned and entered the elevator.

“Wait,” she exclaimed, rushing back to the living room to fetch her phone. She then walked to the foyer to switch her shoes and was suddenly reminded of the simmering soup on the stove. Without delay, she retraced her steps to the kitchen to turn off the burner.

…

Zoe and Brandon had just returned after having dinner

her tracks and said, “Well, I should

her, smiling. “I’ve escorted you back

taken aback, probably caught off guard by his

okay. I’ll wait until next time. You

sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn’t make the situation awkward; otherwise, she wouldn’t have known how to respond. In the end, she waved at him to say goodbye. “Well then… See

“See you.”

she had taken a few steps, someone grabbed

react, Brandon’s voice sounded in her ear. “I think we should make some progress. Can you

wanted to push him away, but when she heard his words, she put her raised hand

punch landed on his

and quickly stopped the man who

her and pulled her behind him before whispering, “Don’t worry. I’m

dragged, she was thrown into

off Daniel’s hand. She rushed over to assist Brandon,

of his mouth, he glanced at Daniel before turning to look at Zoe. “Is he your

took a deep breath

I was too abrupt today. I shouldn’t have done something like

Daniel took a step

turned around with a calm expression. “I didn’t know

he heard her continue, “Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Brandon Zielinski. I don’t know

dubious about her words. “Boyfriend?” His already pale complexion looked sickly under the dim streetlights. As he spoke, it seemed like his energy had reached

her hand and