Chapter 3 : The Heart That Waited in Silence

The wind played gently with the curls of Lisa's hair as she walked across the university courtyard, her bag slung lightly over one shoulder. Her calm face, sweet smile, and elegant stride turned more than a few heads—though she paid none of them any attention.

"Lisa, wait!"

A voice called from behind. She turned to see Kai, the student council vice president, jogging toward her.

"You left your notebook in the library again," he said, handing it to her with a shy smile.

Lisa blinked. "Oh... thank you, Kai."

Kai's ears turned slightly red. "You should be more careful. If anyone else saw your notes, they'd be jealous. They're kind of... brilliant."

Lisa laughed softly. "You're exaggerating."

As Kai fumbled for something more to say, two other boys—her project group mates—approached with a drink in hand.

"Lisa, we got you this. You looked tired today."

Lisa politely thanked them, her voice kind, but her eyes distant. She accepted the drink, gave them a grateful smile, and continued on her way.

From a distance, the scene looked romantic—three boys trying to win the attention of the university's calm, beautiful flower.

But none of them knew: Lisa's heart had never even fluttered for anyone... except Alex.

⸻

Scene Break: Feng Corporation – CEO's Office

Alex leaned back in his leather chair, scrolling through a calendar Mia had color-coded for him.

"Don't forget," Mia reminded him gently, "we have that interview with Luxe Magazine tomorrow. They want a photo shoot of the two of us together. Power couple image, you know?"

He gave a brief nod.

Mia hesitated. "Do you... mind it?"

Alex finally looked up at her. "You're my fiancée. Why would I?"

She smiled, relieved.

He didn't say "I love you." He never did. But Mia had always known—Alex expressed love in actions, not words.

He had chosen her.

Still, a tiny crack had begun to form. Lately, Mia felt something... distant in his gaze. Like he was looking at someone else, far away.

⸻

Scene Break: Evening, At Home

Lisa arrived home late, tired from a full day of classes. She had just changed into a soft hoodie when a knock came at her door.

She opened it.

Alex stood there.

She blinked. "Yes?"

His expression was unreadable.

"Why do you always ignore people who clearly like you?"

Lisa's heart jumped. "What?"

"At university. That boy. And the two from last week. You smile, but it's empty. Why?"

Lisa forced a laugh. "Are you spying on me?"

Alex didn't move. "Answer me."

She looked down. "Because I don't like them."

"Why not?"

She looked up again, her eyes steady. Her heart beat like thunder, but her voice was calm.

"Because I already love someone else."

Alex froze.

He hadn't expected that.

But before he could ask more, Lisa stepped back and shut the door gently between them.

——————

Scene Break: Feng Family Hospital

The white walls of the Feng Family Hospital smelled of antiseptic and whispered stress. Eli, dressed in his lab coat and mask, adjusted his gloves as he walked down the corridor. Patients, charts, and nurses passed by in a blur. He was used to the pressure—it was his world now.

But today felt different.

Because Mia was here.

She wasn't dressed in her usual fashionable elegance. Instead, she wore a pale blue blouse, tied her hair into a neat bun, and followed Eli through the pediatric wing, holding a clipboard.

"You didn't have to come," Eli said softly, stopping beside her.

"I wanted to," she replied with a smile. "Helping you makes me feel... useful."

Eli's heart ached quietly. Mia always looked so perfect beside Alex—but her warmth belonged here, in the quiet rooms with sick children, not in boardrooms or on magazine covers.

As she knelt beside a small girl recovering from surgery, helping her with crayons and smiling so gently, Eli saw it again—that spark. Not the fiancée of a CEO, but a woman full of quiet light.

*How long will you keep pretending you're in love with my brother? *he wanted to ask.

But he didn't.

He never did.

…….

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