Love That Wasn't Meant to Last

"I'm giving Selena back to you—not because I think I'm not good enough, but because I love her. I love her enough not to stand by and watch her destroy herself like this. Hudson, take good care of her. If you don't, I won't let you off easily," Zion declared.

His eyes looked fierce, and I could tell he meant every word.

But what could I do? Even if I wanted to care for her, I had no right to anymore. "But we're already over," I replied, sighing. "Aren't you two meant to be together?"

"Are you blind? Can't you see she needs you right now?" His voice rose as he spoke.

I had always hated being yelled at-especially by someone like him. Glancing around, I noticed that his outburst had attracted some attention; people were starting to peer out of nearby rooms.

A nurse approached, visibly annoyed. "This is a hospital. If you need to sort things out, please do it outside. Don't disturb the patients."

I apologized to the nurse and led Zion outside to the parking garage. Once there, I looked around to make sure we were alone, with no one to overhear. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.

"First of all, I'm divorced from Selena. That means our marriage didn't work out. Second, I have a girlfriend now. How do you think she'd feel if I dropped everything to take care of my ex-wife?

"And finally," I said, fixing him with a steady look, "you were the one who took Selena from me. If you wanted her so much, then take responsibility. Don't make me lose respect for you, Zion."

I tried to keep my expression as impassive as possible, stating my reasons with complete clarity.

Then, unexpectedly, Zion dropped to his knees. "Hudson, I'm begging you. Just- just don't bring up the divorce again with her. Lie if you have to. Please, just don't let her know."

He looked up at me with his eyes reddened and tearful. "I made a mistake. I never should have broken you two up. I should've been content with being with her in secret. At least then, I wouldn't have ruined her life like this.

"Selena's health is fragile now-it took months just to stabilize her. You were my last resort.

"This time, I managed to pull her back from the brink, but next time?" His voice was barely a whisper. "Next time, you might really lose her for good."

"Are you really telling me that you don't feel anything for her anymore?" His question hung in the air, heavy and painful.

I didn't know the answer. Since meeting Sylvia and starting a relationship with her, my heart had felt strangely settled. Whatever I once felt for Selena didn't seem as consuming as it once was.

But the image of her lying frail in that hospital bed tugged at something deep inside me something I didn't want to admit.

Running my hand through my hair, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions. "This is too much. Give me a few days to think about it, alright? Let me go back and weigh everything."

Zion stood up, wiping his tears. His eyes were wide and hopeful. "Fine. I'll give you a few days. Hudson, I just hope to hear good news from you."noveldrama

I held his gaze for a moment, not saying a word, then turned and walked away.

Would it really be "good news" in a few days? And what would "good news" even mean for me?