The clock in her cabin ticked softly, each sound marking the slow passage of time with a steady, rhythmic beat. At night, the hospital felt different—much quieter than during the day, with the usual chaos replaced by the occasional distant murmur of nurses and the beeping of monitors.
Savannah sat at her desk, her eyes fixed on a small piece of paper in front of her, methodically reading the numbers one by one.
For days— weeks—she had been questioning her reality.
It all started that day in the supermarket when the world around her seemed to tilt just a bit, when things didn't quite line up the way they were supposed to. She had tried to push away the unease, ignoring the signs and clinging to the comfort of what she thought was real.
But not anymore.
Now, she felt ready.
Whether it was reality or deception—whatever truth lay ahead, she was determined to confront it.
Her fingers shook slightly as she picked up the note. With careful, deliberate steps, she made her way to the side door of her cabin—the one that led to the restroom.
She wasn't about to take any chances.
After locking the door behind her, she turned to the washbasin, the dim fluorescent light above casting eerie shadows across her face.
This was it.
No more doubts. No more hesitation.
With a deep breath, Savannah pulled out her phone, her heart racing as she dialed the number.
The line rang.
Once.
Twice.
Her fingers clutched the edges of the counter, her pulse quickening with each passing second.
A third ring.
Still no answer.
Just as she was about to hang up, the fourth ring came—
And then a voice.
"Hello?"
Savannah's throat felt tight.
The voice was all too familiar.
Too familiar.
Her lips parted, but at first, no words came. Her mind was a whirlwind, her breath coming in quick bursts.
And then, finally—
"Anastasia?"
The name slipped from her lips like a soft whisper.
A name she hadn't uttered in ages.
Silence.
Then, a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
"Oh my God," the voice breathed, a mix of shock and disbelief. "It's really you."
Savannah's grip on the counter tightened.
Her world—already fragile, already cracking at the seams—shattered just a little more.
And she wasn't sure if she was ready for what was about to unfold.
The Unspoken Questions
The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of their bedroom, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floors. A faint scent of lavender from last night's candles lingered in the air, blending with the fresh aroma of Blaze's cologne.
Inside their walk-in closet, Savannah and Blaze moved in synchronized rhythm-an unspoken understanding between them. It was a routine they had mastered over time.
Savannah reached down to pick up her heels, but before she could, strong yet gentle hands stopped her. Blaze crouched in front of her, his touch firm yet delicate as he lifted her foot and placed it gently on his thigh.
She smiled softly at the familiar gesture—something he had done countless times before.
"I guess this is your favorite part?" she teased, watching as he carefully slid the heels onto her foot, making sure it fit just right before moving on to the next one.
Blaze looked up at her, his dark eyes sparkling with something mysterious, something deeper.
"Not the best part," he replied softly.
Savannah playfully pouted. "Then what is?"
Blaze's hands lingered on her calves for a moment before slowly moving upward, his fingers brushing against her skin as he cupped her face. His thumbs traced gentle circles along her cheeks, his expression both soft and intense.
"The best part," he whispered, his voice low and husky, "is you."
A warmth blossomed in her chest, her heartbeat slowing to match the rhythm of his touch.
And then he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips—a kiss that conveyed devotion, longing, and a love so profound it sent shivers down her spine. The thing that scared her.
Savannah let herself melt into the moment, relishing the warmth of his lips and the strength of his arms wrapped around her.
But beneath the surface, a tempest brewed.
She had made the call.
She had taken a step toward the truth.
And soon, she would take another.
Pulling back just a bit, she inhaled deeply before speaking.
"I might have to go on some volunteer work," she said, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
Blaze's brows knitted together slightly, his fingers still gently caressing her cheek.
"When?" he asked, his voice steady yet attentive.
"In three days," she replied, observing his reaction closely.
His hold on her waist remained firm, but she could feel him tense up a little.
"For how long?"
"Just a week," she reassured him. "I promise I'll be back before you even realize it."
She cradled his face, tilting it just enough for their eyes to lock.
In that moment, she took him in.
The man who had loved her without a second thought.
The man who had shielded her during her darkest times.
The man who had become her home, her sanctuary.
She was uncertain about what awaited her.
She had no idea if the truth would turn her world upside down.
But there was one thing she prayed for, one thing she longed for more than anything—it was for Blaze to be real.
To be exactly the man he had shown her to be.
The man who had protected her when she was at her weakest.
Blaze let out a breath through his nose, his eyes fixed on her.
"Let me keep you company," he said out of the blue, his tone steady.
Savannah blinked, taken aback.
"You want to join me?" she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
Blaze nodded, without a moment's pause.
"You can't always do that," she countered gently. "Besides, you have a company to manage, meetings lined up, and I have my own business to take care of. I don't want to interrupt your work, Blaze."
Blaze took her hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze.
"I'm the chairman myself l." He reminded her with a playful smirk. "They wouldn't dare question my decisions."
Savannah let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"But I do question you," she shot back with a teasing grin.
Blaze chuckled, his rich laughter filling the room, yet he still held onto her hands.
She sighed, realizing he wasn't going to let this go easily.
"I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone," she assured him, tilting her head slightly.
Blaze studied her intently, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Then he smiled.
"We'll see about that," he murmured.
Their smiles intertwined in the cozy confines of their closet, creating a moment filled with warmth and unspoken understanding.
But as Blaze observed her—noticing how her fingers fidgeted absentmindedly, how her gaze lingered just a bit too long on his, as if she were trying to memorize every detail of his face—a nagging thought crept into his mind.
Why hadn't the hospital given him a heads-up about this?
His wife was a doctor. If she was heading off for a week of volunteer work, shouldn't he have been informed?
Shouldn't they have sent him an official notice?
A shadow crossed his face as he looked at Savannah again, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.
Something felt off.
And Blaze had never been one to brush aside his instincts.
Author's Note :
Thankyou for reading<3
Have a good day/night <3<3