Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

"Aaron is already inside saving hert Don't go in there?" Haley said as she firmly grabbed Alex's arm, preventing him from entering.

"Here they come?" A gasp rippled through the crowd as Alex turned to see Aaron rushing out from a side exit, cradling Ellie in his arms. People rushed forward to surround them.

"Ellief" Alex pushed through, wanting to take her from Aaron, but Aaron shook his head. Don't touch her?"

Ellie was nestled against Aaron, her hair a tangled mess, her clothes burned in several places, and she was shaking uncontrollably.

"Here, take it," Ellie said weakly, her trembling hand offering a bouquet she had held tightly.

"Ellie." Alex felt his eyes sting as he grasped her hand, a sudden ache pounding in his chest.

Noticing Ellie go limp in his armes, Aaron's heart dropped. He quickly turned and ran toward the waiting ambulance.

Flashbacks of his earlier words to Ellie flooded Alex's mind, causing him to drop the bouquet he was holding

He stared at the broken red thread hanging from his ring finger, clenching is tightly in his fistnoveldrama

"What are you wearing?"

"It's a red string for good luck!

"Wearing a string isn't going to save you; it's better to just ask me for protection."

That was their conversation just moments ago, but now the one who was supposed to save her wasn't him.

Haley pulled her guze from Aaron back to Alex, who was staring as the ambulance with red-rimmed eyes.

"There are doctors inside, and Aaron is with her. Ellie will be fine, Haley said calmly, stepping in front of Alex to block his line of sight.

"Let's go. I'll take you home," he said, finally averting his gaze. He tucked the broken piece of string into his pocket and led Haley away from the chaos.

As the clock approached midnight, Ellie finally woke up in a hospital room.

"Don't think about anything. Just rest Aaron said, refusing to leave her side

Ellie didn't say a word, she didn't have the strength to reply. Instead, she curled up tightly, almost like a silent lule ball, not uttering a sound. Through the blanket. Aaron noticed something was off-she was shaking. He pulled back the covers and fch her forehead, which was scorching hot. Panic rose, and he rushed in find a doctor.

The next morning, Alex and Haley arrived at the hospital to visit Ellie, who was still burning up and tossing in nightmares,

Seeing Alex and Haley together, Aaron's expression tightened, Haley noticed Aaron's cold demeanor and stayed back at the door.

Alex entered alone, looking at Ellie's flushed face, stretched out on the bed. He reached out to check her temperature, only to be stopped by Aaron. "Aaron!" Alex's face hardened instantly.

Seated beside the bed, Ellie leaned against Alex's shoulder. Their eyes met as Aaron spoke in a cool voice, "We don't need you here."

Alex's rebellious nature sparked. He held onto Ellie's wrist, refusing to let go. "I just came to see how she is doing. What's your problem, Aaron' Aaron shot back, "Thanks to you, she's not doing well!"

Ellie leaned against Aaron, weakly opening her eyes to look at Alex. Feelings of injustice bubbled inside her as she trembled, whispering, "I really don't feel good. Please leave.

Alex stared at Ulle for what felt like an eternity before suddenly spinning around and striding out of the room.

Ellie kept sliding down further into the blankets, trying to hide herself away

"Just rest for a bit. I'll call a doctor to come check on you," Aaron said.

He got up and walked to the door, noticing Haley, who was still lingering outside the room. Without a word, Aaron closed the hospital room door behind him

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Haley stood in the hallway, watching Aaron pass by without acknowledging her. She shouted after him, "Hey, Aaron, hold ont

Aaron paused and turned around.

There was a small distance between them, and Haley looked at him with frustration etched on her face. "What's your deal, Aaron!"

Aaron met her gaze with a calm but slightly furrowed brow. He was worried about his sister, yet everyone seemed to want to know what was going

on with him..

Seeing that he wasn't speaking. Haley couldn't contain her anger anymore. "We came to check on Ellie because we were worried about her! If you're not grateful, fine, but do you really have to act like this?* Aaron replied. "I'm not blaming anyone, but I really o

don't want to see you guys."

Haley shot back. "What about your sense of decency, Aaront Your manners! I'm just breaking things off with your Do you really need to act like

we're enemies!"

Aaron retorted, "What do you expect from a guy who grew

grew up poor? Decency! Manners? You overestimate me. With that, he turned and walked

Haley stood in the hallway, watching Aaron's tall figure disappear. Tears slipped down her cheeks unexpectedly. In the end, the cold-hearted one was Aaron. She had nothing to feel guilty about. With a heavy heart, she turned and left without looking back. Ellie lay in the hospital bed, her fever making her feel hazy and disoriented, but she could still hear the exchange between Aaron and Haley in the hallway.

In the past, Aaron never spoke to Haley like that. She knew Aaron cared about her

Pulling the blankets over her head, Ellie tried to hide herself completely

When the fire broke out, she stood frozen, searching for Alex and Haley in the chaos. All she could think was to find them and make sure they were

ufe.

Even though she w

was panicked, confused, and terrified, she never left anyone behind

The moment Alex passed by with Haley under his protection, Ellie felt unterly foolish. She felt pitiful,

People's true reactions under stress revealed everything, In that moment, Alex's eyes, his heart, and his thoughts were solely focused on Haley. He didn't even glance her way as he walked by.

He was holding a huge bouquet of flowers. If he had just turned his head slightly, he would have seen her right there

The one who isn't loved never has the right to complain. Ellie buried her face in the blankets, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, desperately trying to stifle her sobs.

It was late at night at Encounter Bar in the Old Alley. Ellie hadn't shown up, and on stage, a young guy was singing his heart out. Alex found it boring and decided to go into a private room with Layton to grab some drinks,

"Hey, why isn't Ellie here tonight" Layton asked, passing Alex a glass and taking a seat across from him

Alex lounged back, sinking deep into the couch. He crossed his legs casually on the coffee table, fiddling with a broken red string. "She's sick.

Layton's sharp eyes scanned Alex's face, clearly curious, Come on, Alex. You've pretty much got Haley wrapped around your finger. You've got a Sancée overseas you've never even met, and yet you still have time to mess around with Ellie? Shat it Alex shot Layton a warning look. "Am I messing around with her!"

Layton smirked, giving Alex a teasing glance. "Well, you went to get a tattoo and told her you were taking her along. I definitely saw her sneaking off to the restroom with tears in her eyes carlier!

Alex

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