[ Chicago Med ] Connor and Ava | Hurt by Secrets

Chapter 4

At 7:23 a.m., Connor awoke from a restless night's sleep, consumed by worry for Ava. He reached for his phone, finding a missed call from her at 2:16 a.m. Concerned, he immediately dialed her number but received no answer. Hastily, he rose from his bed, took a quick shower, packed his belongings into his car trunk, and made his way to Ava's apartment.

"Ava, are you in there?" he called out, knocking on the door. A man in his early thirties with brown eyes, short blonde hair, and a well-groomed appearance opened the door.

"Can I help you?" the man inquired.

"Excuse me, but this is my girlfriend's apartment. Who are you?" Connor spoke with escalating volume, growing increasingly agitated.

Ava emerged from the bedroom and immediately recognized Connor.

"Hey, Connor, stop it. Don't yell at him," she intervened, her voice filled with a mix of concern and reproach.

"Mind telling me who he is?" Connor responded, his agitation still apparent.

"He's my stepbrother. Can you give us a second?" Ava requested, redirecting her attention to her brother.

"Right. Boyfriend, huh?" Austin, Ava's stepbrother, chuckled before leaving them alone. Connor and Ava retreated to the kitchen, finding solace on a bench near the balcony.
"Last night, after dinner, I had to go to Med. When I was done, I realized I had misplaced my car keys. So, I asked Austin to pick me up and help me pack," Ava recounted, offering an explanation for her brother's presence.

"What about that phone call last night, Ava? I was worried sick about you," Connor expressed his concern.

"I was trying to reach you to let you know that I arrived home safely, but my phone ran out of battery," Ava explained, her voice tinged with regret.

"Fair enough," Connor acknowledged, accepting her explanation.

[Airport]

Their flight was scheduled to depart at 8:40 a.m., leaving them with about 20 minutes until boarding. To pass the time, they engaged in a game of "Truth or Dare."

"Alright, my turn," Connor announced with a joyful tone. "What is the scariest dream you have ever had?"

"When I dreamt of having to choose between you and my family."

"That was a quick response."

"Now, it's my turn. What is something you've never told anyone?"

"I can't tell you that. But I promise, one day I will."

As they awaited their boarding call, their hearts filled with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation, their shared moments illuminating the path that lay before them.