4

The guards released me, but their presence lingered like a shadow. As we walked down the sterile hallway, the harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting unsettling shadows that danced across the walls. My heart raced, each step feeling heavier than the last.

They guided me toward the room where Vivian lay. I could see the door slightly ajar, and through the crack, I caught glimpses of medical equipment and the faint outlines of nurses bustling around. 

My stomach churned.

She almost killed herself!

Finally, we reached the door, and one of the guards pushed it open, motioning for me to enter. I hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself before stepping into the room. 

The sight that met me was jarring: Vivian lay on the hospital bed, pale and fragile. Tubes snaked from her arms, and the steady beep of the monitor underscored the seriousness of her condition.

I felt a rush of conflicting emotions, anger and... worry. 

As the guards stepped back, closing the door behind them, I approached her bedside. "Vivian."

There was Vivian, her eyes wide with shock as I stormed in. She was awake, staring right back at me.

“you are awake?” I spat, my voice thick with anger. “And you do not look like you are dying”

A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she quickly composed herself. “Lara, I… I did not want things to go this far,” she stammered, playing the victim, as if that would fool me again.

“Fine! do not worry. I’ll donate my blood, if it’s compatible." I replied, forcing myself to sound more composed than I felt, even as a storm of chaos raged inside me. "I am not some filthy snake.”

Vivian’s face flickered with a mix of confusion and gratitude, and for a fleeting moment, I could almost see a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “Thank you, Lara. Greyson will... appreciate this.” 

I couldn’t help but lift my chin defiantly, a rush of anger coursing through my veins. “Yes, and you’ll appreciate it even more, won’t you? Just think about it. I’ll be stuck in this sterile hell for hours, losing blood so you can come out on top.”

“do not be rude, Lara. It was an accident!” She replied, her voice trembling as if she were trying to convince herself of the truth.

“An accident?” I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing harshly in the small room. “Now I understand why Greyson is drawn to you. you are just too funny.” 

I stepped closer to her bed, my heart pounding wildly. “I am HIV positive, Vivian,” I hissed, the venom in my voice sharp enough to cut. “If I donate my blood to you… well, sure, maybe you’ll live. But I can guarantee you won’t be in good health.”

Her eyes widened in horror, the weight of my words crashing down on her like a wave, each syllable landing with the force of a punch to her gut. 

The shock was palpable, and for a moment, the tension in the room hung thick in the air, a suffocating silence settling between us as the gravity of the situation took hold.

I was lying, but she would never know.

“I am heading to the blood donation room. I’ll be back,” I said, stepping away from the bed, but I felt Vivian’s hand grip my arm tightly.

“Lara!” she almost shouted, her voice trembling with desperation. “No, no… please do not go.”

“What?” I asked, turning back to face her.

“I lied to Greyson. I do not need blood,” she admitted, her eyes wide with panic, as if the weight of her revelation could somehow shield her from the consequences of her actions.

A mix of disbelief and fury surged through me. “you are kidding, right?” I couldn’t believe the audacity of her words.

“I thought if he thought I was in danger…” She trailed off, looking lost, her bravado crumbling like a house of cards.

I shook my head. “You put me through this hell, and for what?”

Vivian’s face was pale, the fear in her eyes almost palpable. “Please, Lara. Just… do not tell him. I do not want him to know how fucking weak I really am.” 

Just then, Greyson appeared in the doorway. He’d seen the whole scene unfold, and for a moment, it seemed like the truth had finally dawned on him.

My anger surged as the betrayal cut deep. “You orchestrated all of this, did not you? Accusing me of hurting you!” Turning to Greyson, I sneered, “Is this the serious injury you were talking about?”

He frowned, glancing past me into the room, his confusion evident, but before he could say a word, Vivian whimpered, “Greyson, why is she here? I am so scared…”

He muttered, “Vivian, enough...”

I did not want to hear anything he had to say. I stepped right past him, my heart racing with anger. Storming over to the operating table, I turned sharply and, without a moment’s hesitation, slapped Vivian across the face. 

Slap!

The sound echoed in the sterile room, sharp and jarring.

Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief etching itself across her features. The stunned silence that followed felt heavy. I could see the heat rising to her cheeks.

“You think you can play with people’s lives like it’s some kind of game?” I spat. “You fucking lied to everyone, including Greyson, and for what?”

Vivian pressed a hand to her cheek. “Lara...”

“Save it!” I cut her off. 

Greyson stood frozen at the door, and for a brief moment, I could see the storm of emotions brewing behind his eyes. But I did not care. Not now. Not when the anger coursing through me felt like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path.

I turned away from her, the tension in the air thick and suffocating, and walked back toward Greyson, feeling the weight of my own decisions pressing down on me. 

I was done playing nice, and whatever came next, I would face it head-on.