A world 4

Chapter 4 

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When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. A cotton bandage covered the 

spot where the IV had been. The room was quiet, the medical staff too busy to notice I’d come 

1. to. 

I glanced at the wall clock. Only an hour remained before the Quantum Temporal Projector 

would send me back to the future. 

On the small TV mounted in the corner, a news replay of last night’s once–in–a–century meteor shower flickered. The sky had been lit up with streaks of silver and fire–but once again, I’d missed it. 

It felt like my own wishes were never meant to come true. 

I was still staring blankly at the screen when I heard footsteps approach. Logan’s voice broke 

the silence, low and tired, but with a trace of relief. 

“Hey, you’re finally awake. Madison’s stable now–she made it. They said it was because of 

your blood. Thank you.” 

I turned to him and murmured, “I’m glad.” 

He looked at me, hesitating for a beat before adding, “I know this has been hard on you. As for what I said last night… I didn’t handle it well. But bringing Madison into it–especially to my parents–that wasn’t right. She’s not part of this, and you know it.” 

His words hit a familiar nerve. He always misunderstood me. Ten years ago, I’d have tried to explain myself, held back tears, begged him to see things clearly. But now? Now that we were just hours from saying goodbye forever? It no longer mattered. 

Before I could respond, he went on, his tone softening. 

“I know I let you down. I promised we’d watch the meteor shower together, and I bailed. But I remembered something–you said you always wanted to visit Havenridge. I’ll take you in five days. Just the two of us. A proper trip.” 

I was surprised he remembered. For a second, my chest tightened. But I shook my head. “It’s okay. You don’t need to.” 

But for once, Logan didn’t brush it off with sarcasm. He pulled out his phone and, right in front of me, booked plane tickets. “I know you’re upset. But the trip’s set. Once you’re feeling better, we’ll go. A honeymoon, like you wanted.” 

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“No, Logan,” I said gently. “You don’t owe me anything. This… this was me repaying you.” 

He stared at me, confused. “What are you talking about?” 

I didn’t answer. Silence stretched between us. 

He got up and reached for a paper cup to pour me some water. That’s when I noticed it–his 

hand was shaking. The old injury. Probably flared up from the cold rain outside. The same 

hand he injured years ago, saving me in Eastwood Alley. 

A lump rose in my throat. “Do you regret it?” I asked quietly. “Saving me that day?” 

He placed the water on the table, avoiding my eyes. 

0 

“No. I don’t regret it,” he said after a pause. “I’d have done it for anyone.” 

“Even during the earthquake?” I asked. 

His fingers paused. A slight tension crept into his jaw. “Yeah,” he said finally. “Even then.” 

That was Logan–soft–hearted to a fault. 

I smiled, even as my eyes burned. “Thank you. You’ve always been the good one. I’m sorry I held on for so long… I must’ve been exhausting.” 

A man that good shouldn’t have suffered a decade of guilt because of me–shouldn’t have died because of me. I had been his burden. His curse. 

ed startled by my tears. Panic flickered in his eyes–something I’d rarely seen. 

u saying all this? I—” 

Logan’s assistant burst through the door, out of breath. “Mr. Whitmore, Miss Cole regained consciousness!” 

His whole face changed. Relief. Brightness. He stood immediately. “I’ll go check on her.” 

He started for the door, but paused when I softly said his name. He turned back. 

I smiled at him, bright and full of warmth. “I’m sorry, Logan. I hope you find happiness. I hope every one of your dreams comes true.‘ 

“} 

Something in my words unsettled him. He frowned. 

“Why are you talking like it’s a forever goodbye? I’m just going to see Madison. I’ll be back— we still have things to talk about. Just wait here.” 

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And then he was gone. 

Less than thirty minutes remained before I’d vanish from this timeline. 

I pulled out the IV and quietly slipped out of the hospital. 

When Logan returned, a thermos of soup in hand, the room was empty. He called my name, once, then again, louder. No response. 

A strange, uneasy feeling crept into his chest. He reached for his phone to call me–just as the door burst open again. His assistant stood there, pale and shaken. 

“Mr. Whitmore,” he gasped. “There’s been an accident. Ten minutes ago, Miss Bennett was hit by a car. She lost too much blood, and the hospital’s blood supply was already depleted. They… 

they couldn’t save her. She’s gone.” 

Chapter 4