Chapter 3

Thanks to the kind-hearted diner owner, I managed to hitch a ride on a supply pickup truck and made it back to the lodge by sunset.

By the time I reached my room, my fever had spiked to 103 degrees.

My body felt like it was on fire. Even breathing felt like inhaling hot needles.

Ethan pushed the door open, walking in from the outside. Seeing me curled up under the blanket, shivering violently, his expression finally changed.

He rushed over, touching my forehead, and quickly pulled his hand back as if he'd been shocked.

"How is your fever this high? Why didn't you call me!"

I weakly opened my eyes, looking at his panicked face. It felt incredibly pathetic.

"Call you? So I could listen to you call me high-maintenance again?"

A flash of guilt crossed his eyes. He hurriedly searched his duffel bag for medicine, pouring a glass of warm water and holding it to my lips.

"I'm sorry, Summer. I was out of line this afternoon. I thought you were just playing difficult. Take the medicine first. I won't go anywhere tonight. I'll stay right here with you."

I looked at the water and finally swallowed the pills.

Because I needed my strength. Tomorrow morning, I had a flight to catch.

Right then, the door was pushed open.

Chloe stood there, wearing a beautiful bohemian dress, perfect makeup, and holding a glow stick.

"Ethan! The guide said there's a meteor shower deep in the dunes tonight, and a bonfire party! Everyone is waiting for us!"

Seeing Ethan sitting by my bed, her smile stiffened for a fraction of a second before turning into a look of deep concern.

"Oh my gosh, is Summer really that sick? Then... Ethan, you should stay here with her. I'll just go by myself. Even though the dark desert is super scary, I'll try my best to be brave."

Ethan froze.

He looked at me, then at Chloe, who stood at the door looking fragile and helpless.

"Chloe, going into the desert alone at night is too dangerous. I'm not comfortable with that."

"It's fine. I'll just stay close to the guide," Chloe bit her lip, looking like a brave martyr.

Ethan stood up, tucking my blanket in.

"Summer, sleep after taking the meds. I'll just drop Chloe off and make sure she’s safe, then I'll come right back. Thirty minutes max."

I looked at him, my voice so calm it surprised even myself.

"Ethan, if you step out of this room tonight, we are over."

He paused, turning around with a flicker of anger in his eyes.

"Summer, can you stop being so unreasonable? What if Chloe gets lost in the desert? You're lying in a warm room with a heater and water. What danger could you possibly be in? I said I'll be back in thirty minutes!"

With that, he walked out without looking back.

The door slammed shut. The room fell into a dead, suffocating silence.

I didn't cry. I just stared quietly at the ceiling.

As the medicine kicked in, I drifted into a heavy, feverish sleep.

When I woke up in the middle of the night, the room was still empty.

I picked up my phone. There were no messages from Ethan.

I opened Instagram. The very first post on my feed was an update from Chloe, posted ten minutes ago.

In the video, a huge bonfire was crackling.

Ethan and Chloe were wearing local flower crowns, holding hands, dancing around the fire to the music.

Ethan had a bright, brilliant smile on his face—a relaxed, happy expression I hadn't seen on him in years.

The caption read: [Brilliant stars, endless desert, and the best view is right next to me. ✨❤️]

In the comments, a mutual friend wrote: [Omg, Ethan and Chloe look like the perfect couple!]

Ethan didn't deny it. Instead, he had liked the comment.

Looking at his casual betrayal, I finally realized that some love is rotten to the core.

The next morning, just as the sky was turning gray.

My fever had gone down a bit. My body was still weak, but it was enough to get me out of here.