His body trembled, and his teeth gritted as pain displayed on his pale face.
Caught off guard, Alexis quickly found a small medicine bottle from his pocket.
She deftly poured out a pill and attempted to feed it to him.
But Calvinâs clenched teeth barred the way.
Turning to Leonel, who was close by, she called out, âCome help!â
Momentarily taken aback, Leonel hurried over.
He carefully laid Calvin down and pried open his clenched jaw, allowing Alexis to administer the pill.
Calvinâs chest rose and fell with great effort.
Turning his head, his eyes met Alexisâ with a fragile and pleading Look.
It was a look Leonel knew all too well, one he had once directed at Alexis, seeing her as his entire world.
On those sleepless nights, she would cradle him, whispering, âDonât be afraid, Leonel!â
But now, her comforting embrace was reserved for another.
Despite the intimacy they had shared just the night before and the breathless moments of passion, Leonel knew his place in her heart had shifted.
She cradled Calvin now, her calls filled with concern solely for him.
It was reminiscent of how she had once cared for him.
âHis parents took their own lives right in front of him when he was just 20,â Alexis said softly, her fingers gently tracing Calvinâs face.
âThat same year, he was diagnosed with heart disease.
â
Her voice lowered, filled with emotion.
âLeonel, youâve emerged from your dark times.
But for Calvin, Iâm all heâs got.
Even if the entire world turns its back on him, I wonât.
â
Leonel felt a pang in his heart, a sensation he hadnât felt in a long time.
Despite his robust health, Alexisâ words somehow managed to cause him pain.
As she gazed down at Calvin, Leonel noticed a flicker of tenderness in her eyes, a tenderness that was once reserved solely for him.
ALL her patience and affection had once been his and his alone.
In a soft tone, he asked, âDo you love him?â
Alexisâ response was straightforward.
âCalvin means a great deal to me.
â
Leonel slowly rose from the bed, his voice barely above a whisper.