Chapter 187: No looking back

Chapter 187: No looking back

Xander sat behind his desk, his attention fixed on the patient file in front of him, though his mind was far from the words on the page.

He had tried to focus all morning. He had gone through rounds, spoken to patients, reviewed reports, but nothing seemed to hold his attention for long. Every few minutes, his thoughts drifted back to Golden.

He leaned back slightly, exhaling as he rubbed his temple.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said, his tone neutral.

The door opened, and Hannah stepped in, a small smile on her face. She held a neatly packed container in her hands.

“I figured you might be hungry,” she said lightly, walking toward him. “So I brought you something.”

Xander’s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the container, then back at her.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said.

“I know,” Hannah replied, placing it gently on his desk. “But I wanted to.”

Xander glanced at it for a second before shaking his head.

“I’m not hungry,” he said, pushing the container slightly back toward her.

Hannah paused, her smile faltering just a little before she quickly masked it.

“You used to say that,” she said, trying to keep the tone light. “At least take a few bites.”

“I said I’m not hungry, Hannah,” Xander repeated, his voice still calm but firmer now.

She studied him for a moment, then sighed softly and pulled the container back.

“Alright,” she said, sitting down across from him instead.

Xander picked up the file in front of him, flipping a page as if to signal that he wanted to focus on work.

Hannah leaned back slightly, crossing her legs. “Why are you grumpy today?”

He closed the file, setting it aside.

“It’s just work,” he replied.

She tilted her head, watching him carefully. “And your wife?” she asked. “How is she?”

At that, Xander’s expression softened almost immediately. A faint smile touched his lips.

“She’s fine,” he said, his voice quieter now.

“That’s good,” she said. “You seem… very sure of her.”

Xander didn’t hesitate. “I am.”

Hannah tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair, her gaze steady on him.

“What if,” she began slowly, “you found out that your wife cheated on you?”

Xander’s expression didn’t change immediately. He looked at her for a moment, his gaze unreadable.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said calmly.

Hannah raised a brow. “You sound very certain.”

“I am,” he repeated. “I trust the woman I married.”

There was no hesitation in his voice, no doubt.

Hannah studied him for a second longer, then gave a small nod.

“Trust is a powerful thing,” she said.

“It is,” Xander replied. “And I don’t throw it around carelessly.”

The room fell into a brief silence.

Then Xander leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting.

“I have work to get back to,” he said. “You should go.”

Hannah held his gaze for a moment, as if considering pushing further, but then she stood up.

“Alright,” she said, picking up the food container. “I’ll see you around.”

Xander gave a small nod but didn’t respond.

Golden stood beside a cab, directing one of the staff members as he placed another box into the trunk.

“Careful with that one,” she said. “There are fragile items inside.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the porter replied, adjusting the box.

Golden stepped back slightly, brushing her hands together as she glanced at the remaining luggage.

Behind her, the glass doors opened.

“Golden?”

She didn’t turn immediately. She recognized the voice.

Golden let out a soft, almost amused breath before turning around slowly.

Eleanor approached her, her brows slightly furrowed as she took in the scene. “What’s going on?” she asked, glancing at the boxes, the cab, the movement.

Golden smiled. It wasn’t a warm smile.

“Look who’s here,” she said lightly.

Eleanor studied her more closely now, sensing something beneath the surface. “You’re leaving?”

Golden tilted her head slightly, her smile widening just a fraction.

“You’re a snake,” she said calmly.

Eleanor blinked.

“And a horrible person,” Golden added, her tone still even, almost conversational. “I don’t hang around snaky sneaky mean bitches.”

Eleanor’s expression shifted, confusion flickering across her face. “Excuse me?”

Golden gave a small shrug. “That’s all, leech. Broke ass bitter hag.” she said.

She turned away before Eleanor could respond, walking back toward the cab as the porter placed the last box inside.

Eleanor stood where she was, watching her, her expression tightening slightly.

The glass doors opened again.

Allan stepped out quickly, Aj right behind him. His eyes went straight to the cab, the luggage, then to Golden.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice urgent now. “Why are you leaving?”

Golden said nothing.

She reached for her handbag, adjusting the strap on her shoulder as if he wasn’t there.

Allan stepped closer. “Golden, I’m talking to you.”

She ignored.

“I thought about what you said,” he continued quickly. “The money. I’m ready to accept it.”

Golden’s hand paused for the briefest second.

Then she continued as if she hadn’t heard him.

Aj glanced between them, clearly confused. “What’s happening?” he asked quietly.

Allan ignored him, his focus entirely on Golden.

“Golden, please,” he said, his tone softening. “Just talk to me.”

She turned slightly, just enough to look past him, not at him.

“Driver,” she said, her voice steady. “Close the trunk.”

The driver nodded, moving to do as instructed.

Allan stepped forward again, his frustration beginning to show. “Why are you acting like this?” he demanded. “What did I do?”

Golden didn’t respond.

Aj stepped in now, his hands raised slightly. “Look, if this is about the money, he said he’ll take it. So what’s the problem?”

Golden’s expression didn’t change.

She opened the back door of the cab.

Allan moved quickly, placing his hand on the edge of the door to stop it from closing.

“Golden, don’t do this,” he said.

For the first time, she looked at him directly. Her eyes were cold and detached.

It hit him harder than any words could.

“Please,” he added, quieter now.

She didn’t say a word. She simply got into the cab.

Allan’s grip on the door tightened. “Golden.”

The driver hesitated, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

“Drive,” she said.

The engine started. Allan didn’t move.

“Drive,” she repeated, her tone sharper this time.

The car began to move.

Allan tried to hold on for a second longer, his hand slipping against the smooth surface of the door as the cab pulled forward.

He stumbled slightly, losing his balance as the car gained speed.

“Hey!” Aj grabbed his arm quickly, steadying him before he could fall completely.

The cab drove off, disappearing into the flow of traffic.

Golden didn’t look back.

Allan stood there, breathing unevenly, his hand still half-raised as if he hadn’t fully processed what had just happened.

The scene had drawn attention. A few guests lingered nearby, watching with mild curiosity. Staff members pretended not to stare but failed.

Eleanor stood to the side, her arms folded loosely, her gaze fixed on the direction the cab had gone.

Aj tightened his grip on Allan’s arm, pulling him back slightly.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Allan didn’t answer. He was still staring at the empty road.