Chapter 55: Couple Born From Error.

Dua's heart raced with fear as she navigated the sterile, fluorescent-lit hallway of the hospital, her mind fixated on one person—her mother. As she arrived, she spotted Desmond leaning against the wall, visibly shaken, and Denise, broken in tears, enveloped in Shane's embrace. In an instant, she grasped the gravity of the situation.

Without hesitation, Dua dashed into the ward, where she found Steven standing with crossed arms, his gaze locked onto Stella’s frail, unconscious body. The sight of her mother, surrounded by beeping machines and fighting for her life, sent a wave of despair crashing over Dua. Her knees gave way as she crumpled beside the bed, reaching for her mother’s hand, which felt cold and lifeless.

“She's alive, but not really stable,” Steven said, his voice a mixture of professionalism and concern.

“Immediate surgery is necessary, and preparations are underway,” he added, but Dua remained silent, her throat tight with tears.

“Why didn’t you tell me about her condition?” he asked, disappointment etching his features. “Do you really see me as your husband?”

“You created the 'no secrets between us' rule, and now you broke it yourself…Can I really trust you, Dua?” He continued

Her tears streamed down her cheeks, each drop sharpening the ache in her heart caused by her mother’s failing health and the disappointment in his voice. As Steven moved to exit the ward, Dua finally managed to speak. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, the weight of her words heavy with regret. “I didn’t want to burden you with my problems. You’ve done so much for me and my family. I thought I could manage this on my own.”

“Isn’t that why we’re a couple? To share each other’s weals and woes?” Steven pressed, his tone softening, yet still tinged with hurt.

“We’re a couple born from error… not from love,” Dua countered, her heart pounding in her chest. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, a feeble attempt at composure. “Could you give me some space? I’d like to be alone,” she pleaded, her voice trembling.

“Please…” she added, her whisper barely audible through the sting of her emotions.

Upon hearing the opening and closing of the ward's door, Dua broke down, tears spilling over as she cried hard and loud enough for anyone in the ward to hear. Each shuddering breath poured out all her pent-up pain and frustration, completely unaware that Steven was still in the room. He had tricked her into believing she was alone by opening and closing the door.

As he stood watching her, her cries tugged at his heartstrings, the sensation tightening within him—something he hadn't felt in a long time since Crystal.

He slowly and quietly walked to her, stopping right behind her. His hand moved to touch her, but stopped midway in hesitation.

As she cried more, the stinging sensation in his heart intensified. Unable to bear it any longer, he softly approached her and knelt beside her, wrapping her in his embrace as her startled body jolted at the unexpected comfort.

"When did you come in?" she asked, her voice muffled as she turned her face away.

"I never left," he replied softly.

"Why? I asked for some space." Her voice was sharp, laced with pain.

"And I gave you that," he said gently. "I let you cry for a bit."

Dua fell silent, her tears continuing to flow as she sought to hide her face from him.

"If you keep crying like this, your mom will never get well," he murmured.

"What?" She flashed at him, pulling away from him. "How can you say such a thing?"

"She's still here, Dua," he said, his voice steady. "If you’re like this now, what will you do when—" he trailed off, not wanting to go further down that path.

She scoffed and looked away. "You suck at comforting people."

Steven chuckled softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "At least I'm able to shift your mood from pain to being pissed off."

"Can you just give me a moment alone?" she asked, her eyes averted.

"So you can cry your eyes out?" he replied, an eyebrow raised.

"No... it’s just... I feel embarrassed when someone sees me like this, crying and stuff," her voice cracked, exposing vulnerability she wasn't used to showing.

He studied her, pressing concern and admiration swirling in his gaze. "Dua, everyone cries. It’s a natural response to pain and fear. It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human."

She looked at him, her gaze flicking away quickly, uncertainty making her heart race. "I just... I don’t want anyone to see me like this," she said, her voice faltering. "I need to be strong for my mom."

"But being strong doesn’t mean you have to carry this burden alone," he replied gently. "It doesn't mean you can’t let it out; it means accepting the reality of your situation and finding comfort in others. There are people who want to support you through this—don't shut them out."

Dua sighed deeply, knowing he was right but struggling to accept it. "It’s just... everything feels so heavy right now. I can’t even think straight." Her shoulders slumped under the weight of her emotions, and she felt a familiar sting in her eyes.

He nodded, letting the silence wrap around them for a moment, the sterile sounds of beeping machines creating a backdrop to their quiet conversation. "I get that. But what if we share the weight? You don’t always have to be the strong one; sometimes, it’s okay to lean on someone else."

"I can bear the weight myself; I just need time to adjust," she defended, a hint of defiance in her tone.

Steven sighed at her stubbornness, frustration creeping into his voice. "I wasn’t even crying when you offered to help me, and I didn’t refuse you. Why are you refusing me now?"

Dua's eyes finally met his, clouded with emotion. "Our circumstances are different," she replied softly, and though she tried to sound resolute, the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

"I agree we started off on the wrong foot, but we’ve been living together for months now. Isn’t that enough for you to build a little trust in me?" His gaze held firm.

"Don’t make me lean too much on you, so that I'll be able  to stand straight on my own when Diane returns," she said, her voice tinged with an unsteady conviction.

"Why do you keep worrying about Diane's return? Are you that desperate to leave me?" Steven shot back.

“No...” Dua's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. “It’s because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to leave you.”

“Despite how you drive me nuts and how I keep reminding myself that we’re not meant to be... that you’re not rightfully mine, my stupid heart refuses to listen. It keeps acting on its own accord...” her voice trembled as she continued, surrendering to vulnerability for the first time.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper. “Even after Diane returns... I don’t want to leave you...”

“Then don’t leave,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “Stay with me until the end.”

“I know I come from a poor background, but I swear, I’m not doing this for your money,” she insisted, her sincerity ringing clear. But even without her assurance, he knew. He could feel the weight of her honesty wrapped in every word.

“Knucklehead...” she called. “I think I've already fallen for you,” she confessed, her cheeks flushing with the admission.