So ten years from now, that’s all she’d be to him.
But once, everything about her, even little habits she’d forgotten herself, random wishes she’d mentioned in passing–Declan treasured them all like royal decrees.
She used to tease him about his perfect memory, but he’d pull her into his arms, chin resting on her head, lazy yet serious: “Nina, I don’t want to forget a single thing about you.”
She didn’t know how much time passed before the commotion outside finally died down.
The hospital room door opened softly and Declan walked in, still carrying traces of anger and obvious guilt
on his face.
He approached the bed carefully, sitting down gingerly, wanting to hold Nina’s hand–the one without an IV–but she gently pulled away.
His hand froze mid–air, eyes dimming.
“Nina, I’m sorry,” his voice was hoarse with regret. “I had no idea you’d get hurt… I was just worried something might actually happen to Ruby–you know, classmates and all, didn’t want anyone getting killed. I was scared you’d overthink it and get mad, so I lied about getting you a Coke… I never thought…”
He kept apologizing over and over, promising repeatedly: “It won’t happen again, Nina. I swear, I’ll never let anything like this happen again. Trust me!”
Nina listened quietly, that numb, icy patch in her chest prickling with fine pain.
She was leaving soon anyway, going somewhere far from him. His promises meant absolutely nothing to her
anymore.
So she stayed silent, eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.
For the next few days, Declan barely left Nina’s bedside, feeding her water and peeling apples, clumsily trying to cheer her up.
Meanwhile, twenty–eight–year–old Declan haunted the place like a ghost, constantly appearing with cold commentary: “Declan, think about it–Ruby’s your future. She’s alone in the hospital with a sprained ankle while you’re wasting time here. Nina’s got nurses. Ruby only has you. If you’re cold to her now, you’ll regret
it forever!”
Every time, Declan would tell him to get lost: “For the LAST TIME—I like Nina. Ruby doesn’t have anyone to take care of her? Fine! I’ll hire her the best nurses money can buy–THREE of them, how’s that?! Now will
Rovfriend vs. Future Boyfriend–Pick Your Fighter!
10.09
Chapter 3
you shut UP?!”
But as evening approached, watching the sky darken outside the window, he’d get restless.
Eventually, he’d always turn to Nina with guilt and internal struggle: “Nina, I… I’m still kinda worried about Ruby’s situation. Let me just go check on her real quick–soon as I know she’s okay, I’ll come right back. Wait
for me.”
But once he left, he never came back.
Not until late at night would Nina’s phone light up with a message from twenty–eight–year–old Declan:
[Nina, face reality. Ten years from now, Declan belongs to Ruby. Let go and help eighteen–year–old me be with her. I don’t want to miss a single second with Ruby.]
Every word stabbed into Nina’s heart like a needle.
So all those years of laughter and memories, every little moment they’d shared–in the face of that so–called “destiny,” it was all light as dust, worthless, right?
Then another video came through-
In the clip, Declan was sitting by Ruby’s hospital bed, carefully peeling an orange for her, even removing all the white pith with meticulous care.
Ruby said softly, “Declan, taking care of me like this… won’t Nina get mad?”
Video–Declan paused for a moment, then continued casually: “Nina’s cool about stuff like that. She won’t get
mad.”
Nina stared at the screen, her heart clenching with pain.
Yeah, she was really “cool” about it.
Cool enough to step aside and make way for him and his destined love.
The day she was discharged, Declan finally showed up after disappearing for almost an entire day, looking obviously exhausted and apologetic.
‘Nina, sorry–Ruby’s situation got complicated these past few days, couldn’t get away. You’ve lost so much weight. Come on, let’s get you some good food, fatten you back up.”
As he spoke, twenty–eight–year–old Declan emerged supporting the still–fragile–looking Ruby.
“You guys going to eat?” Twenty–eight–year–old Declan raised an eyebrow. “Perfect. Ruby’s hungry too.”
Chapter 3
Declan frowned, lips pressing tight like he wanted to refuse, but seeing Ruby’s timid expression, he ultimately said nothing, accepting by default.
At the restaurant, Declan picked up the menu and rattled off a string of dishes without thinking–all Nina’s
favorites.
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan immediately knocked on the table disapprovingly: “Why’d you order all stuff Ruby doesn’t like?”
“How the hell would I know what she likes?” Declan’s tone was stubborn.
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan snorted, snatched the menu away, and smoothly ordered several mild dishes, then shoved his phone screen in Declan’s face: “Look carefully! This is all stuff Ruby will love.”
Ruby’s eyes widened in surprise: “How do you know I like all these?”
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan immediately turned to her, his gaze openly adoring: “I told you–I’m Declan from ten years in the future. Back then, I loved you more than life itself.”
“ENOUGH!” Declan cut him off coldly, grabbing Nina’s hand with urgent desperation: “Nina! Don’t listen to his BS! No matter what happens in the future, right NOW I only like you! I swear!”
Twenty–eight–year–old Declan looked like he’d been provoked, voice sharp: “What’s the point of being stubborn now? She’s just a passing fancy for you–Ruby’s the one you’ll love for life! You’ll run all over the city just to buy her favorite sweet porridge! Drive across state lines in the middle of the night just because she can’t sleep and wants a stuffed animal! When she’s sick, you’ll wish you could take her pain yourself! You’re gonna do ALL of this! The girl you’re protecting now–you’ll break her heart for Ruby later!”
As he spoke, he opened his phone’s notes app again, shoving it under Declan’s nose: “Look closely! Memorize this! These are Ruby’s likes and dislikes!”
Declan stared at that densely packed notes list, then glanced at the pale, delicate Ruby beside him. He actually went quiet, his expression complicated–even giving those notes a few extra looks.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
