Chapter 1897

Luna’s expression turned cold, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. “Caleb, how can you say that? You confessed to me, you proposed, and I’ve always been clear in rejecting you. I’ve never strung you along.”
Her words stunned Caleb. If it had been before, her disappointed tone would have stopped him in his tracks.
“You’re right. You’ve always rejected me,” he admitted, his voice steady. “But you’ve also kept me close, leaned on me when you needed someone, knowing I would drop everything for you. I did it because I cared for you.”
Caleb’s eyes softened for a brief moment before hardening with resolve. “Luna, now that Simon’s back, you should focus on him. You two deserve to figure things out. As for Terry, just follow the advice I gave you make his final days as peaceful as possible.”
Without waiting for her response, Caleb turned and left, his steps steady but heavy.
If Simon hadn’t returned, Caleb might have convinced himself to keep waiting, to stay in Luna’s orbit no matter the cost. But now, faced with reality, he knew he could never compete with Simon.
And if he couldn’t win, what was the point of holding on?
After leaving the upscale neighborhood, Caleb didn’t head back to the hospital. Instead, he made his way to a private club.
He had originally planned to call Hunter, but given the recent gossip linking the two of them, he decided against it. The last thing Caleb wanted was to drag anyone further into the rumors.
What he didn’t expect, however, was to run into Hunter at the very same club.
“Well, if it isn’t our busy Dr. Smith,” Hunter said with a teasing grin. “What brings you here? Rare to see you taking time to unwind.”
Caleb shot him a pointed look. “Do you even know the kind of rumors circulating about us? Running into you here is bad enough, and now you’re acting like this?”
Hunter chuckled, completely unbothered. “Rumors only affect those who care. Let people talk-it’s their freedom. Besides, you’re the one dodging every matchmaking attempt. I’m practically doing you a favor by being your shield.”
Caleb frowned in irritation. “What
exactly am I supposed to need protection from, Hunter? Do you have any idea what people are saying about us right now? And as if that wasn’t bad enough, you’re not even helping matters. My dad? He literally showed up at the hospital with a woman in tow!”
Knowing his father’s stubborn nature, Caleb had no doubt the old man wouldn’t give up until he succeeded. That girl his dad had brought? She was bound to keep coming around, trying to “win him over.”
That piece of news sent Hunter into a fit of laughter. “Wait, he really brought someone to the hospital? That’s brutal.”
Caleb rolled his eyes and tried to put some distance between them, wary of how even a casual interaction might fuel more gossip. The last thing he needed was for his father to hear the rumors and use them as leverage to “fix” him.
Hunter caught on to Caleb’s attempt to pull away, and his expression darkened. “Wait a second. Do you seriously think I’m into you? Is that why you’re acting like this? Caleb, I swear I’ll kill you if you’re actually entertaining that thought.”
“I’m not saying that,” Caleb shot back, exasperated. “I just don’t want my father to blow this out of proportion and start trying to marry me off to the next person he finds.”
Hunter smirked, his tone shifting to
something dangerously
mischievous. “Well, then, there’s a simple solution-tell him we’re together. Problem solved. He’ll back off immediately. Or are you saying you’re so easily swayed that someone else could change your mind once you’ve decided what you want?”
Hunter’s words hung in the air, causing Caleb’s brows to furrow deeply. His dark gaze locked onto Hunter,
filled with confusion and disbelief.
In that moment, Caleb truly couldn’t wrap his head around what Hunter was saying.