Chapter 25 No Point Staying
1 min left
When Chandler met Ginny’s eyes—eyes full of sarcasm and a flicker of hope–guilt flashed across his face.
“Melody wouldn’t have done this,” he said quickly. “And she sprained her ankle. There’s no way she could’ve moved you to a storage room on her own.”
He’d seen that room earlier, when he went looking for Melody near the restroom. It was way down the hallway–too far for her to get there unnoticed, especially with so many people at the gala tonight.
If Melody had done it, someone would’ve seen her. But no one had. And Ryan had searched for Ginny for so long before finding her, which meant the security footage hadn’t caught anything either.
Still, he didn’t want to dig too deep.
“Whatever happened tonight, it’s over,” Chandler said, brushing it off. “Let’s not bring it up again.”
He thought he was helping. Thought he was smoothing things over for Ginny’s sake. But to her, his words hit like a slap.
She slapped his hand away before it could touch her, then stepped back two quick paces just to keep her distance. She didn’t want to give him the chance again.
1/6
13:46
Chapter 25 No Point Staying
Lucky Draw
He noticed the shift, the unspoken message, and his brow furrowed. “Can you stop making a scene? I get it–you’re still blaming me, blaming Melody, for the miscarriage. But the baby’s gone. Life has to move on, doesn’t it? Do you have to make every meeting between us this unpleasant?”
His voice was tight, full of frustration, like she was the unreasonable one.
Ginny was furious. And disappointed. She opened her mouth to snap back, but just then, a cab pulled up beside them. Melody stepped out, limping dramatically.
When she spotted Chandler, her face lit up. “Chandler, help me with this stuff, would you? I heard Ginny got hurt and was brought to the hospital. I figured you’d be worried, so I came to see if I could help.”
She held out a few boxes of supplements. Chandler, concerned she couldn’t carry them alone, rushed over to take them from her and then gently guided her to Ginny’s side.
“All right, it’s late. If you still want to throw a tantrum, do it tomorrow,” he said, handing the boxes to Ginny with an edge to his voice. “Melody sprained her ankle and still came to see you. You should try to be a little more gracious.”
Ginny actually laughed. A hollow, incredulous laugh.
2/6
13:46
Chapter 25 No Point Staying
Lucky Draw
She’d already given her husband to Melody–how much more “gracious” did he want her to be?
Melody was the one clinging to her life like a ghost that refused to leave, and somehow, everything was still Ginny’s fault.
Maybe that’s what happens when someone doesn’t love you. No matter what you do, it’s always the wrong thing.
Ginny looked at Melody with a bitter smile. “This is the last time. If you come for me again, I won’t let it go.”
Beep–beep.
Ryan tapped the car horn, worried she was being cornered again. Signaling her to get in.
Ginny turned to leave, but Chandler grabbed her arm.
“It’s late. Where do you think you’re going with him?”
Before she could answer, Melody clutched his other arm and gave a soft cry. “Chandler, I don’t feel well again… I left my medicine at home. Will you take me home?”
She looked up at him, pale and pained, clinging to his sleeve.
Chandler didn’t want Ginny to leave with Ryan. But he also couldn’t just ignore Melody. He stood frozen, caught in between.
3/6
13:46
Chapter 25 No Point Staying
(+) Lucky Draw
Ginny didn’t wait. She opened the car door and got in.
“Let’s go.”
There was no point in staying. The ending would be the same no matter how long she waited.
She’d been through this too many times. And if she could help it, she didn’t want to live it again.
*****
On the drive home, Ryan kept cracking jokes to lighten the mood. When they pulled up outside her home, Ginny finally spoke.
“I’ve decided to take Professor Edward’s lab exam.”
He blinked.
Professor Edward had mentioned it to her at the gala–said it was happening in three days. She’d hesitated before, afraid the timeline was too tight, that she wouldn’t perform well under
pressure.
But now? Now she just needed something to throw herself into. Something to get her out of this place.
“Is it because you really want into that lab,” Ryan asked, “or are you just trying to run away from Chandler and Melody?”
4/6
13:46
Chapter 25 No Point Staying
Lucky Draw
He’d been wondering that all night. And he still didn’t know what kind of answer he hoped to hear.
Part of him wanted her to leave Chandler for good. But he also worried that if she did, she might not be happy.
They’d grown up together, been through so much. All he ever wanted was for her to be okay.
He’d supported her marrying Chandler back then, only because she’d loved him.
But now? If leaving him would make her happier, Ryan would support that too.
Only–he hoped it was a decision she made with a clear head, not just because she was desperate to escape.
Ginny sat in the passenger seat, eyes down, silent.
Ryan glanced at her, then smiled softly.
“It’s late. Get some rest. I’ll get your exam pass to you as soon as
I can.”
He didn’t push the question any further. He waited until she was safely inside before driving away.
5/6
13:46
The General’s Regret
