You're Missing Out, Cheater

I've been in a coma for six months after a car accident.

When I finally wake up, the first thing I hear is something sloppy in my hospital ward.

My girlfriend, Quinn Simpson, is in here. She's kissing Chad Scott, her true love.

Chad looks uneasy as he glances at me every few seconds. "Quinn, don't do this. I heard coma patients can still hear things. If Mateo hears us—"

Quinn scoffs, completely unbothered. "So what? He's a vegetable. Probably won't wake up for the rest of his life. It's better this way, isn't it? Didn't you say you liked living on the edge?"

They talk trash about me right in front of my face. I can even feel the contempt in Quinn's eyes.

When the two of them finally leave, they don't notice the effort it takes for me to crack my eyes open.

But the nurse who walks in next does. She sees it immediately and slams the emergency button.

Once I start regaining strength, the first thing I do is send a message to my parents. "Mom, Dad, I'll do the arranged marriage."

The moment Mom found out, she called me. She was crying on the other end of the line, saying she was relieved—finally, I'd come to my senses.

After a few small talks with her and Dad, I told them I'd be leaving Sanderville in three days to join them abroad. I turned off my phone and looked up as Quinn walked into the hospital room.

She froze when she saw that I was awake, and surprise flickered across her face. Then, she composed herself and opened the lunchbox in her hands.

"Chad made you some chicken soup," she said, setting it down on the table. "Drink it while it's hot."

I didn't move.

She frowned slightly, and her tone softened as she coaxed, "I know you're not a fan of chicken soup, but it's good for your recovery. Just a few sips, okay?"

I looked at her. There was concern in her eyes—real, maybe—but this was the same woman who'd been cuddling with Chad in this room not long ago.

I couldn't tell who she was anymore. Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Chad walked in, head-to-toe clad in designer brands. When he noticed the untouched soup, he chuckled.

"Come on, Mateo. I spent hours making that. I even burned my hand a few times."

Without thinking, Quinn reached out to check his hand like it was second nature. Then she remembered I was there. Her hand froze mid-air before she pulled it back with an awkward smile.

"Just drink it, okay? Chad made it for you."

When Chad left, Quinn mumbled something about work and rushed out after him.

A nurse came in a few minutes later to check my vitals. While adjusting the IV, she told me that a couple had been kissing in the hallway. I just smiled and said nothing.

…

I signed myself out early and headed straight