I never hated you

Chapter 5: Forbidden feelings

would be many more obstacles to overcome before Elijah would let down his guard and allow Evelyn to truly be there for him. But despite the pain of rejection, Evelyn refused to give up on him. She knew that beneath Elijah's tough exterior lay a heart in need of healing, and she was determined to be the one to help him find peace.

In the days that followed, Evelyn continued to offer Elijah small gestures of kindness, even though he rebuffed her at every turn. She left notes of encouragement on his pillow, cooked his favorite meals, and made an effort to include him in family activities, hoping that her persistence would eventually break through his defenses.

But despite her efforts, Elijah remained distant, his walls seemingly impenetrable. It was as though he had erected a fortress around his heart, shutting out anyone who dared to get too close. And try as she might, Evelyn couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and helplessness in the face of his stubbornness.

It was 7:30 pm and As Evelyn made her way through the bustling aisles of the supermarket, she chatted with her parents over the phone, discussing their plans for the evening and sharing the latest updates from her own day.

"Make sure Elijah doesn't spend all day cooped up in his room," her mother reminded her. "He needs to get some fresh air and socialize more."

"Don't worry, Mom," Evelyn reassured her. "I'll check on him when I get home."

With their conversation winding down, Evelyn promised to pick up some groceries before heading home. As she made her way to the checkout counter, her mind wandered back to Elijah, her stepbrother who always seemed to be lost in his own world.

Upon arriving home, Evelyn found the front door slightly ajar, a sense of unease settling in her stomach. Rushing inside, she called out for Elijah, but there was no response. Panic rising within her, she quickly searched the house, her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, she found him in his room, lying on the floor in a heap. He was pale and drenched in sweat, his breathing shallow and labored.

"Elijah!" Evelyn exclaimed, rushing to his side. She gently shook him, but he remained unresponsive.

Frantic, Evelyn called emergency services, her voice trembling as she described Elijah's condition. With trembling hands, she attempted to cool him down with a damp cloth, her heart aching with fear and worry.

Minutes felt like hours as she waited for help to arrive, her mind racing with a million different thoughts. What had happened to Elijah? Why was he so sick?

When the paramedics finally arrived, Evelyn stood back as they tended to Elijah, her hands clasped tightly together in silent prayer. As they loaded him onto a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital, Evelyn followed close behind, her heart heavy with fear for her stepbrother's well-being.

In the hospital waiting room, Evelyn paced back and forth, her thoughts consumed by worry. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a doctor emerged from Elijah's room, her expression grave.

"He's stabilized for now, but he's running a high fever," the doctor explained. "We're running some tests to determine the cause, but it appears to be a severe infection."

Relief flooded through Evelyn at the news that Elijah was stable, but her concern only deepened at the severity of his condition. She knew that he would need all the love and support he could get to pull through this ordeal.

As she sat by Elijah's bedside, watching over him as he slept fitfully, Evelyn made a silent vow to be there for him, no matter what. She would stand by his side, offering him the same unwavering support that he had shown her in her darkest moments.