The Devious Hearts | Englot | girlxgirl

Chapter 34 - Goodbye My Love

Beep... beep... beep...

The rhythmic sound of the heart monitor echoed through the room.

"Charlotte?"

Heidi's soft voice cut through the silence as she sat beside Charlotte's bed, her face pale with concern. Slowly, Charlotte blinked, her senses adjusting to the room around her-she was in a hospital. Heidi quickly pressed the call button for the doctor, and moments later, a doctor and a nurse entered to check on her.

"Miss Austin, can you hear me? How do you feel?" the doctor asked, his name tag reading Dr. Whitmore.

"Thirsty," Charlotte whispered, her voice barely audible. The doctor smiled, and the nurse handed her a glass of water.

"You've just woken up from anesthesia. Take it easy. We removed a bullet from your shoulder, and the surgery went smoothly. You're going to be okay." The doctor reassured her, and she gave a faint nod in return. He continued, "Don't try to move too much, especially not suddenly. If you need anything, just call." With that, he left the room.

Heidi gently took Charlotte's hand. "You really went through it, huh? A bullet wound?" she teased lightly, trying to lift the mood.

Charlotte smiled, but then her expression darkened as memories flooded back. "Where's Engfa?"

Heidi hesitated, her smile faltering. A heavy silence hung in the air before she answered, "The team's gone back to Bangkok. Tina too. As far as I know, they-"

"I'm asking about Engfa," Charlotte interrupted, her voice firm.

Heidi smirked knowingly, but before she could reply, Engfa entered the room. Heidi quickly stepped back.

"I'll go grab some coffee," she muttered, excusing herself.

Now, it was just the two of them. The air between Charlotte and Engfa felt heavy as their eyes locked. Engfa's steps were measured, almost hesitant, as she approached Charlotte's bed.

"How are you feeling?" Engfa asked, her voice detached, too controlled.

"As fine as someone who just got shot," Charlotte replied, attempting a small smile, but the coldness in Engfa's face didn't soften.

Charlotte reached out, her hand trembling and weak, hoping for the familiar warmth of Engfa's touch. But Engfa remained still, making no effort to close the distance. When Charlotte's fingers finally brushed against Engfa's hand, Engfa pulled away with a gentleness that stung more than if she'd simply rejected her outright.

"Engfa..." Charlotte's voice cracked, her brows furrowing. "What's wrong?"

Engfa's gaze flickered with something-was it fear? Regret?-but she quickly buried it, her walls slamming shut again.

"Nothing. You'll recover soon," she said, her tone clipped, almost rehearsed.

Charlotte's frustration surged, her pulse quickening. "Don't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes. Why are you acting like this?"

Engfa's jaw tightened, her eyes darting away. She took a breath, but it came out shaky. "I'm just making sure you're taken care of."

"No, you're not," Charlotte shot back, her voice sharper now. "You're pushing me away."

Engfa's silence felt suffocating, her stillness a stark contrast to the turmoil inside Charlotte. The tension between them hung like a knife's edge, ready to slice through whatever fragile connection they had left.

"You'll be okay. Get better soon. I'll make sure you receive the best care here, Miss Austin," Engfa said, her tone distant, deliberately using the formal address. Charlotte's frown deepened, sensing something off.