Mr. Badass ✔

37 Missed Opportunity

Gemma's POV.

At night, I stay at the hospital to take care of Dad. During the day, Mom also comes by and makes Dad's favorite fish soup.

But every time Mom comes, she brings two lunch boxes, one of which is for Dmitri.

Dmitri, sitting on the bed, takes a sip of the soup and gives a thumbs-up. "Ma'am, it's delicious. This is the best meal I've ever had in my life."

I roll my eyes internally. He's lying without even blushing. Back when we were together, he only ate food prepared by Michelin-starred chefs and wouldn't even glance at anything else.

But Mom doesn't notice and smiles, her eyes squinting. "If you like it, I'll bring you more tomorrow."

After that, we head to Dad's room.

About an hour later, I go to Dmitri's room to collect the empty lunch boxes.

He's finished eating and is trying to push the small table away from the bed, but he's moving very slowly.

I step forward to help him, then pick up the lunch box, ready to leave. But he calls out to me.

"Gemma."

"Yes?" I turn my head.

Dmitri points at the pillow behind his back with his index finger. "I'm tired from sitting. Could you help me lie down?"

I put the lunch box down and walk over to support his arm, pulling the pillow away.

"Is this better?" I ask.

Dmitri nods as he lies down, "Thanks."

Just as I pick up the lunch boxe finally ready to leave, my eyes catch a familiar gleam through the glass window of the hospital room door.

A cool glimmer reflecting off a pair of cold, rimless glasses.

I walk out of the room and ask Luke, "Why are you here?"

"You took leave from work, saying your father had a car accident, so I came to visit him." He pauses, glancing through the window. "I didn't expect your father to be so... young."

"Do you have to talk in such a sarcastic tone?" I frown slightly.

"So why are you entangled with your ex?" Luke asks.

"My dad was hit by a car. Dmitri happened to be passing by and saved him. Now, they're both in the hospital."

Luke looks into my eyes, as if trying to determine if I'm telling the truth.

After a moment, he exhales softly. "But he's hurt you before."

"I know," I nod, "but this time, he saved my dad."

Luke smiles. "Don't you find it a bit too coincidental?"

"What?" I look up at him.

"A man who rose by taking advantage of his ex-wife and then heartlessly turned on her... just happens to be near your house."

"And then, coincidentally, your dad has a car accident, and he happens to save him."

"What are you trying to say?" I ask.

"You know exactly what I'm saying," Luke replies.

I widen my eyes, incredulous. "You can't just maliciously speculate like this."

His heart is dark, so he sees the world as dark.

Luke shakes his head, the gleam flashing across his rimless glasses again. "Gemma, I'm just considering a possibility."