On the third night, Ian’s chest wasn’t aching as much, and he could finally get out of bed. Standing in
the hallway on the seventh floor, he heard a chime of his phone—a message notifying him that the
seventh floor would undergo electrical repairs and there would be a blackout for ten minutes. He paid
no attention to the message, instead gazing vacantly outside. Suddenly, darkness swallowed the
seventh floor. And Ian heard Maja’s voice. Having just stepped out of the bathroom, Maja began calling
out for him. Ian’s mind froze for a moment, forgetting to respond right away. Through the nearby
balcony window, which was faintly lit by the lights outside, he watched Maja panicking as she opened
the cupboard. “Ian?” She even threw back the curtains and checked another rooms. “Ian!” “Ian!” Her
voice went from initial confusion to outright panic. Ian’s cigarette trembled between his fingers. He
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtburnt his fingertips, and only then he remembered to reply. “Maja, I’m here.” He slid the balcony door
open. And Maja, still frantically searching for him, went rigid, quickly rushing over to him, and
examining him from head to toe. “Are you okay? You scared the hell out of me.” It was too dark inside
to see him properly, but she stubbornly checked him over anyway. Ian suddenly pulled her into a tight
embrace. He was much taller than her, and with this action, he could envelop her completely in his
arms. He buried his head in her neck and said nothing, just holding her close. Maja didn’t speak either,
not knowing what to say. After a moment, she felt tears on her neck. “I’m sorry, Maja. I’m so sorry.” Ian
choked out, his grip so tight that it was almost suffocating. Maja felt the pain from his hold, but it gave
her a sense of security. At that moment, she burst into violent sobs, as if all her pent-up emotions were
finally
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being released. Ian’s cry was silent, restrained. Whereas Maja’s cry was loud and heart-wrenching. It
should be a comforting embrace between lovers, but why did it hurt more than the deepest wound?
The two clung to each other, as if trying to merge into one being. All of a sudden, the lights in the room
blinked on, dispelling the oppressive gloom. Ian lifted her face and kissed her gently. But Maja didn’t
want that gentleness. She bit his lip in response, hard enough to taste metal. For days, Maja hadn’t
said anything unnecessary, just took care of him as best as she could. Now, after a kiss that tasted of
blood, they looked at each other. She breathed heavily. Ian was painfully aroused and pressed against
her, but she pushed him away. “Your wounds haven’t healed yet.” His eyes were still red, his hands
wandering under her shirt, “I want you.” But Maja wouldn’t let him have his way this time and pinched
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhis arm hard. Ian instantly stopped, knowing she was still angry. He cautiously lay beside her and after
a moment, he spoke up. “You may hit me, scold me, twist my arm, but please just don’t ignore me like
you have in these past few days.” Living together in silence was unbearable for him; he’d rather be
unconscious. Maja stared at the ceiling, quietly lifting a hand to rub her eyes. After a long while, she
forced herself to speak coldly. “Does it still hurt?” Ian wanted to say it didn’t, but feared that would
deprive him of the patient’s privileges, so he quickly clutched his chest. “It kills.” Hearing this, Maja’s
face filled with concern as she peeled back his shirt. The bandage was unstained with blood, and she
sighed in relief. Ian, watching her worry about him, felt the ache in his heart was even more intense
than the pain from the wound. He quickly pulled her into his embrace, “It doesn’t hurt. I lied, I’m sorry. I
just didn’t want you to get angry.” He couldn’t stand her feeling frightened and anxious. He wrapped his
arms around her tightly, “It really doesn’t hurt.” Now, it wasn’t the gunshot wound that hurts, but his
heart, as if it was being shredded by her heart-wrenching cries. Maja grasped his hand and rubbed it
against her cheek. She said nothing, but her silence spoke volumes.