The second betrayal

The hospital smelled of antiseptic and something sterile, a sharp contrast to the turmoil twisting inside me. My steps felt heavy as I walked through the hallways, my pulse pounding in my ears.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting to see Kristoff awake? To hear him crack some sarcastic joke to ease the tension?

But nothing could have prepared me for what I actually saw.

There, sitting beside his hospital bed, was a girl.

She had long, dark hair, neatly tucked behind her ears, and she was holding kristoff's hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her fingers traced absentminded circles against his skin, her expression filled with concern, like she had every right to be here.

Like she belonged here.

My heart clenched.

Who was she?

I forced my feet forward, the sound of my own breathing too loud in my ears. Maybe she was just a friend, I tried to reason, but the way she looked at him like he was hers sent warning bells ringing in my head.

I swallowed hard before speaking. "Excuse me… Who are you?"

The girl turned, blinking in surprise as if she hadn't noticed me standing there. "Oh," she said, standing up, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt. "You must be one of Kristoff's friends."

Friends.

The word stung.

My stomach twisted, an uneasy feeling clawing at my insides.

She gave me a polite smile, the kind that felt too practiced. "I'm his girlfriend."

The world stopped.

My breath caught in my throat, my fingers turning ice-cold.

Girlfriend.

The word echoed in my mind, crashing against everything I thought I knew.

I had prepared myself for a lot when I came here the sight of Kristoff unconscious, the beeping machines, even the terrifying realization that I still cared about him more than I should.

But this?

This was something I hadn't been ready for.

The air felt thick, suffocating. I struggled to form words, to say something anything but my tongue felt heavy in my mouth.

She must have noticed my silence because she tilted her head slightly, a small crease forming between her brows. "He never mentioned you," I finally whispered, my voice barely audible.

Her frown deepened, like I had just said something confusing. "We've been together for a while now… Are you sure you know him that well?"

A while now.

The words felt like knives sinking into my skin.

My mind raced, trying to piece together what this meant.

Had she been in his life before we met? Had she been there while we were together?

Or… had Kristoff been lying to both of us?

No.

I refused to believe it.

He wouldn't do that.

Would he?

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

I couldn't do this. Not here. Not now.

The weight of the room, the beeping machines, the girl's presence it was all too much.

I turned on my heel and walked out.

I didn't wait for her to say anything else.

I didn't stop to look at Kristoff one more time.

I just needed to leave.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed past nurses and patients, the walls closing in around me.

My chest ached with the force of everything I was holding in.

I had spent weeks worrying about him.

Wondering if he was okay.

Wondering if I did something wrong.

And the whole time, he had another girl by his side.

Had I been a fool to believe him?

His words from the park echoed in my mind.

"No matter what, I'm in this with you."

"I won't disappear."

"Just let me prove it to you."

Every single promise a lie.

I had trusted him.

I had let myself believe, just for a second, that I wouldn't have to do this alone.

But now?

Now, I felt stupid for ever thinking Kristoff was different.

The tears came faster, hot and relentless, but I refused to break down here.

I needed to get out.

I needed air.

I pushed through the hospital doors, the cool night air hitting my face like a slap. My hands shook as I wrapped my arms around myself, my breath coming in uneven gasps.

I should have known better.

I should have kept my walls up.

But I let myself hope.

And hope was the cruelest thing of all.

I wasn't just heartbroken.

I was furious.

Not just at Kristoff, but at myself for believing in him.

For falling for the same lie twice.

I wiped my face roughly, forcing myself to breathe.

This wasn't just about me anymore.

I placed a trembling hand on my stomach, my heart squeezing at the realization.

I had a child to think about.

A baby who needed me to be strong.

I couldn't afford to fall apart not for Kristoff, not for anyone.

So I did the only thing I could.

I straightened my spine, swallowed my heartbreak, and walked away.

This time, for good.