Ch. 58
Selene's POV
"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, clearly confused.
I glanced around the hallway, lowering my voice.
"Don't you think this hospital is... creepy?"
I waited for him to pause.
To think.
To connect the dots like a proper male lead.
Instead—
"Huh? Creepy?" He looked around, hands on his hips.
"I don't think so. It's pretty clean. Organized. It actually feels kind of familiar to me."
I stared at him.
"Why?" he added casually. "You don't like hospitals?"
I let out a defeated sigh.
Seriously? Is this male lead really this dense? No sense of danger at all.
Academic genius, but when it comes to survival instincts—zero.
I pressed my fingers to my temple, already feeling a headache coming on.
Of course, I reminded myself.
I'm the only reader here.
No one else knows this world was written with mystery and death woven into it. And if I tell them about it, no one would ever believe me.
I was about to say something when a shadow fell across us.
"Ethan."
We turned.
A guy about our age stood there, hands casually tucked into the pockets of a hospital lab gown. His posture was relaxed, his expression calm—but his eyes were sharp.
"Oh," Ethan brightened.
"Jerome?"
"Didn't expect to see you here." The guy named, Jerome nodded slightly.
My gaze dropped immediately.
A lab gown?
Why would a student be wearing that?
Before I could ask, Ethan spoke up—of course.
"What's that, bro?" he laughed, pointing at the gown. "Are you really getting into medical stuff now?"
The guy chuckled softly.
"Ah, this? My mom's in surgery today. She asked me to observe her work. Hospital protocol—proper hygiene in the operating room."
"Ohhh!" Ethan snapped his fingers. "Right! Your mom's a doctor. Wow, looks like you're following in her footsteps."
"Not really."
Jerome's gaze shifted.
Straight to me.
It lasted only a second, but my spine stiffened. Luckily, I manage to keep a straight face.
"Oh right—Selene!" Ethan said casually. "Jerome, this is Selene Valen. Selene, this is Jerome Klein."
"Hi, nice to meet you. I didn't know you two were close—that's surprising," Jerome said.
I accepted his hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you too," I replied.
His handshake was firm—steady in a way that felt practiced. The moment our palms touched, a strange chill crept up my arm.
I pulled my hand back a little too quickly.
Jerome didn't comment, but the corner of his mouth twitched, like he'd noticed anyway.
"So," he said lightly, slipping his hands back into his pockets, "what brings you two here?"
Ethan answered immediately.
"We ran into a patient in the road." he said. "Selene recognized him—thought he might be admitted here. She was right. He was hurt when we brought him in, though. He was panicking, struggling a lot."
Jerome's gaze dropped to my arm.
My bandage arm.
"So that's what happened," he said calmly. "Thank you for bringing him back. It happens... sometimes."
Sometimes?
The word lingered, unpleasant and vague. Jerome straightened.
"I should go."
"Oh—already?" Ethan said, scratching the back of his head.
Before Jerome could turn away, the question slipped out of my mouth.
"Wait. What department is your mom in?"
He paused.
Just for a beat too long.
"...Neurology," he answered. "She's a neurologist. Why?"
My fingers curled slightly at my side.
"No reason," I said quickly. "Just curious."
"Well then, I should go now. See you at school, Ethan."
"Ah, yeah! See you!"
Jerome turned and walked away, his footsteps muted against the sterile floor, the lab gown swaying gently as he disappeared around the corner.
Ethan let out a small laugh.
"Jerome's always like that—super quiet. It feels like he and Adrian are brothers, they've got the same personality."
I flicked the back of his head.
"Seriously?" I snapped. "Does everyone you meet automatically look non-suspicious to you?"
I turned on my heel and walked away, irritation bubbling over.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Ethan protested, rubbing his head.
"Hey—wait for me! Violence is not the answer, you know." He added.
"It is! When the victim has zero situational awareness," I shot back, still marching forward.
"Grabe ka naman. I was just saying he's quiet. That's not a crime." He jogged to catch up.
"Quiet people are always suspicious," I said.
"Especially in hospitals. Wearing lab gowns. Saying 'it happens sometimes.' That's practically a villain starter pack."
"Wow. You really don't trust anyone, huh?" He blinked.
"I trust people," I corrected. "Just not the ones who look like they belong in a psychological thriller."
"Jerome is harmless. Yes, he's quiet and mysterious, but he's a good person. I've known him since first year—he's actually really kind."
"What's your relationship with him?" I asked.
"He's my classmate, and our families are fairly close. My father is close with the director of this hospital."
"Jerome is the director's son?"
He nodded.
"Yes, but why are you suspicious of him? Did he do something to offend you?"
"No. He hasn't done anything."
"Then what is it?"
"It's just the vibe he gives off." I irritably answered.
"I see."
We reached the entrance, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft whoosh. The late afternoon light spilled in, immediately easing the oppressive hospital atmosphere.
Ethan unlocked his car and opened the passenger door with an exaggerated bow.
"After you, oh paranoid princess."
I rolled my eyes but got in anyway.
"One day, your lack of survival instincts will get you kidnapped."
He laughed as he started the engine.
"Relax. If that happens, you'll save me. You're clearly the type."
"...I hate that you're right."
The car pulled out of the parking lot, the hospital shrinking in the rearview mirror. I leaned back against the seat, finally relaxing—just a little.
"So," Ethan said casually, "to your place?"
"Yeah," I answered. "Didn't you offer me a ride? My parents will panic if I don't come home on time."
"The mansion it is," he grinned. "Must be nice living like royalty."
"It's not royalty," I muttered. "It's just big."
"See?" He glanced at me. "That's way creepier than the hospital."
I snorted despite myself.
We drove in comfortable silence for a moment before he spoke again.
"By the way," he added, "you were pretty cool back there. Recognizing that patient and all."
I looked out the window.
"Hmm.. I just had a bad feeling."
"You always do. And somehow, you're usually right." He smiled.
...That didn't make me feel better.
As the gates of the Valen estate came into view, my headache pulsed again—sharp, sudden.
I groaned and leaned forward.
"Ugh. If I die young, I'm haunting you."
Ethan laughed.
"Please don't. You'd be a very annoying ghost."
"Exactly."