AT LOVE 8

Posted by Admink, ? Views, Released on May 5, 2025

Chapter 8

KYLE

Hospitals always had a way of dulling everything–the colors, the sounds, the air itself. The place reeked of antiseptic and muted pain, a perfect mirror to how I’d felt since the day Ashley walked out of my life, I had just concluded my therapy session for the day, the routine of it starting to feel less like a chore and more like… progress. Dr. Harper had pushed me hard today, her questions peeling back layers I wasn’t sure I wanted exposed.

But what I wasn’t pushed hard for was seeing Ashley again.

She was sitting in the waiting area with Violet. Of course. It had to be Violet.

I ducked into a side corridor before they could notice me, my heart hammering in my chest. What were the odds? I leaned against the wall, peeking around

the corner.

Ashley was angled toward Violet, her red hair a vivid contrast against the pale walls of the hospital. She was listening intently, nodding as Violet spoke. She laughed at something Violet said, the sound pulling at something buried deep in my chest.

I clenched my fists, torn between the urge to walk away and the need to stay. The logical part of me knew I had no business lingering, but my feet refused to

move.

After a while, Ashley stood, placing a comforting hand on Violet’s shoulder before excusing herself. She started walking down the hallway–toward the

restrooms, I realized.

This was my chance.

I waited until she disappeared around the corner, then quickly slipped into a less conspicuous hallway that would let me approach without catching Violet’s attention. The hospital was a maze of connecting corridors, and thankfully, I knew them well enough from my visits.

My pulse quickened as I reached the hallway outside the restrooms. I leaned against the wall, my mind racing.

Why was Ashley here with Violet? Was she staying in New York longer than I thought?

Finally, the door to the ladies‘ room opened, and Ashley stepped out. Her head was tilted down, her fingers fumbling through her bag, but when she looked up and our eyes met, she froze mid–step.

Her hazel eyes widened, the kind of wide–eyed shock that seemed to stretch the moment into an eternity.

“Kyle?” she finally said,her voice laced with disbelief. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I wanted to talk to you, Ashley,” I said, taking a step closer. Her posture stiffened, and her eyes darted around the hallway. She wasn’t just surprised–she was uncomfortable.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m here with someone,” she replied curtly.

And that stung. The words cut through me with a precision I wasn’t prepared for. I rubbed my temple, forcing myself to stay composed.

“Yeah, Violet,” I said, attempting to sound casual. “I saw her. How’s she doing now?”

It was a pathetic attempt to steer the conversation to safer ground, but the look on Ashley’s face told me I’d missed the mark.

“She’s fine now,” she snapped, her voice clipped. “But I’m sure you didn’t corner me here to discuss Violet’s health.”

Damn. She’d changed. This wasn’t the Ashley I remembered, the sweet, patient woman I’d loved so deeply. The Ashley who used to bring me lunch at work, who waited up for me no matter how late I got home. This Ashley was guarded, sharper, and I couldn’t decide if it hurt more or made me want to figure out what had happened to her.

My gaze lingered on her face, on those hazel eyes that still shone brighter than I remembered. My eyes traveled down instinctively, over her figure, the way her dress hugged her hips with effortless grace.

Chill the fuck out, I chided myself silently.

A thousand questions flooded my mind, but one rose above the noise.

I ducked my head towards her taking her in fully for the first time in what felt like forever. Her skin was impossibly smooth, glowing under the dim light. Her lashes framed those sharp, sparkling eyes, and her lips–reddish pink -made it damn near impossible not to pull her into me.