Benjamin hastened his steps over to the ladies. “Are you here to see Jazzlyn?” He asked casually as though they were still on good terms. Isla could not help but keep squinting her eyes at him while judging him. He noticed Isla’s hostile reaction and tried to break the awkwardness as his eyes darted to the paper bag Ellie was holding.

  “Oh, her dinner?” He asked nonchalantly. Isla did not feel like talking to him and remained quiet. Ellie, who was less hostile, had no choice but to entertain him instead.

  “Would Dr. Kang happen to know where Dr. Su is?” Ellie asked formally as Benjamin chuckled a little.

  “You don’t have to be so formal. We have known each other for so long. Jazz had left about an hour ago. Headed home to freshen up. She should be back soon. I thought you were all close. How come neither of you knows?” Benjamin asked with a hint of insult. Isla shared an agitated look with Ellie, feeling very offended.

  “I see…” Ellie managed to mumble.

  “Besides, she is quite overloaded lately with the departure of Dr. Wang soon. Good for her to keep herself busy. I mean, after the accident of your husband, I’m sure she had been seeking redemption to keep her patients alive if possible… Don’t worry, I will look after her…” Benjamin purposely brought up the past, trying to announce to both of them that he was officially pursuing Jazzlyn again. Isla glared at him and stepped forward while Ellie panicked at her sudden reaction, trying to hold Isla back.

  “What do you mean by redemption? We have made it clear back then that it was an accident and it was…” Benjamin interrupted Isla.

  “But to her, it was never an accident. You both know her well. Everything is very personal, especially with close ones. With the recent accident of my parents, I know she was glad she could save my father, else I would owe her a lifetime to care for her and ensure she doesn't live in guilt like she did with Lex…” Benjamin’s revelation made Isla rage in agitation even more. However, Isla was too furious to retaliate against Benjamin as she stormed off, feeling sad and angry in tears. Though Isla doubted Benjamin but she could not deny the fact that Benjamin could be right, given the recent events.

  Ellie had to rush to chase Isla, who ran to her car and sped off, leaving Ellie worried about both her friends now. Ellie tried calling Isla, but she did not pick up. Ellie quickly flagged down a taxi and hopped in while calling Jazzlyn.

  “Babe! Where are you?” Ellie frantically asked.

  “Home… Why? What’s wrong? Where are you Ellie? Where’s Isla?” Jazzlyn asked before she heard the doorbell.

  “I think Isla is heading to your place cause we met with Benjamin by accident while sending dinner to you and he mentioned you and redemption over Lex’s accident…” Ellie explained while Jazzlyn quickly went to answer the door. “Ah, right… I forgot to tell you I came home to shower after not doing so a few days…” Jazzlyn’s words ended up in mumbles when she saw someone else instead in front of her door, panting.

  “What is going on, Jazz, with the redemption on Lex’s death? I thought you sorted that out with Isla back then?” Ellie asked, while Jazzlyn could not pay attention to Ellie.

  “I… I will explain later…” Jazzlyn said before hanging up, while Ethan caught his breath.

  “Could I… speak with you for a second… please?” Ethan pleaded were the first she ever heard in such desperation tone that she could not reject him.

  “Let… Let’s head down to the park…” Jazzlyn suggested as she took the house keys and stepped out with him.

  Ethan was much calmer when they reached the park. Instead, he was gathering courage to confront Jazzlyn.

  “Jazzlyn…” Ethan finally called out after accompanying Jazzlyn on one round of walk in the park since she looked bothered by alot of thoughts.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jazzlyn stood in front of him and met his gaze before sighing with a sad smile.

  “Did you really not want to leave the hospital because of your friend’s husband’s accident?” Ethan was done hiding around the bush as he thought it was his last chance to get an answer.

  “Whatever the reason is, it’s not going to change the fact that I will still stay on and…” Jazzlyn looked down at the ground, trying to hide her reddening eyes.

  “...I’m sorry, I have to reject your confession. We aren’t suitable, Ethan…” Jazzlyn forced herself to lie. Ethan wanted to pester more when they heard someone running towards them in heavy pants.

  “Su Wei Wei! Why didn’t you answer your phone?! Do you know what you’re doing now with your life?!” Isla scolded right away, which startled both Ethan and Jazzlyn at her abrupt reaction, but Jazzlyn knew Isla was talking about Benjamin’s revelation.

  Jazzlyn cursed in mind at Benjamin for being the person who still understood her the most, but his cunning self would someday be his demise. Jazzlyn quickly nodded slightly at Ethan to part ways before hastening her steps back to her house.

  “Jazz, talk to me!” Isla insisted after chasing her back to her apartment, leaving Ethan slowly accepting the rejection from Jazzlyn. He was half wondering if Isla knew about their confession before an urgent phone call distracted him and rushed his adrenaline to drive off to the emergency, forgetting the self-disappointment and confusion he was battling earlier.

  “Isla stop! This is not for you to meddle in.” Jazzlyn forced herself to not break down but she could not withstand the entire heartbreak happening in one shot as she keyed in the pin number to her main door and ended up squatting by the corner of the door, covering her eyes, trying to hide her tears from Isla.

  Isla calm herself a little noticing Jazzlyn’s condition. Isla squatted next to Jazzlyn and pulled her in for a hug. Jazzlyn could not help but broke down in Isla’s arms. Isla knew how much she and her loved ones meant to Jazzlyn to make this sacrifice but Isla knew it was not Jazzlyn’s call.

  “Jazz, what happened to Lex is not your fault. It's never your fault. I know very well that the moment he was sent to you, you would do all you could to save him cause he was my world. But now, you are my world. Ellie too. I want the best I could have for you both because there’s no one as close as you both are to me in this world, Jazz. My parents left early, and you both were there for me. I thought I was selfish to marry early, but you both still do your best to keep in touch. When I lost my husband, it didn’t feel so bad cause I had you both.” Isla tried comforting Jazzlyn, who seemed calmer in her arms.

  “I knew all this while you often live in this guilt. So let Lex's one go. It's his destiny. Could you imagine if you saved him, he would be a living vegetable, and I would need to pour all our savings to sustain him? If that's the case, then did you really save him? Or is it better if it were how it is now?” Isla continued as Jazzlyn began to make sense of Isla’s thoughts.

  “I'm sorry Isla. I really wanted to save him. I tried all I could. I pleaded with him to not leave you. I even threaten I will treat you badly if he leaves but…” Jazzlyn cried as Isla teared up too.

  “I know… We had this conversation five years ago, Jazz. Back then, I thought I got my point through you. Ellie had always thought you didn't seek love cause of your career, but I know, regardless, you're not that short of money like Ellie or even me. So, you can afford to leave without a job, but now you have an opportunity and a potential caring man, why are you giving them up for this past that should have stayed in the past, Jazz?” Isla questioned softly as their gazes met and they understood each other’s intention.

  “A doctor is poor too, Isla. I have been giving money away to help those in need…” Jazzlyn decided to joke, but it did not get Isla to smile; instead, it turned on her nagging mode.

  “Imagine living with no money when you’re old if you keep giving away like this?” Jazzlyn pouted.

  “Then what? You will head back to your family and ask them to feed you till death?” Isla continued as though venting her anger.

  “I would rather die than to step back there!” Jazzlyn protested as Isla already knew that would be her reaction, given how much she despised her rich and powerful medical family but always controlling her life. Jazzlyn’s decision to rebel and leave the family years ago was not easy if it were not for Ellie and Isla.

  “I know, that's why I think you doing freelance is a good idea. You may not have your family's support but with Dr. Wang, it's not that bad Jazz. It's time for you to let go of the past. Don't let what happened with Ben repeat.” Isla reasoned.

  “Ben was not your fault. It's just us... I knew from the start he was an overly high achiever. I couldn't keep up and I didn't want to. I am more of a laid-back person. Like Ellie and you. Especially you.” Jazz said while smiling as Isla wiped her eyes dry.

  “I won’t forgive Ben for being so cunning as ever! How dare he think he still knows me well and try to draw a wedge between us!” Jazzlyn complained as Isla smiled, but she was still worried.

  “Do you think he has something up his sleeves?” Isla’s question made the girls' gaze meet anxiously.