My CEO's Blackmail Tape - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Nathan's phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. He let go of my chin and answered, his voice clipped. From the one-sided conversation, it sounded like the wedding planner—something about floral arrangements or seating charts. After a few terse replies, he stepped out into the hallway, leaving the door slightly ajar.
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, amplifying every word. He hung up, then immediately dialed Isabella. The way he cooed at her made my stomach turn—saccharine promises of eternal devotion, whispered like some cheesy romance novel.
A minute later, he strode back in, all smirks and arrogance.
"Getting discharged today?"
"Still a few IVs left. By the time they're done, it'll be late. I'll leave tomorrow morning."
He gave me a knowing look—infuriating, smug—then turned on his heel and walked out without another word. No goodbye, nothing.
His footsteps faded down the hall, swallowed by the sterile silence.
Would he come back tonight? And if he did… would we…? A traitorous thrill shot through me. That one night had replayed in my mind on loop—desperate, intoxicating, a thirst finally satisfied. But the sweeter the memory, the sharper the guilt. Daniel didn't deserve this.
Maybe I'd been too harsh earlier. It was just a fever. He hadn't ghosted me on purpose. Maybe I'd overreacted.
I thumbed through his texts, rereading each one. His words were simple, unpolished, but achingly sincere. The regret in them felt real.
Before I could second-guess myself, I called him. He answered in a rush, his voice raw with apology.
"I'm sorry, honey. Please don't be mad. I swear I didn't mean to! From now on, my phone stays glued to me—no silent mode, no dead battery. You'll always be able to reach me. Okay?"
The way he said it, soft and pleading, dissolved the last of my anger.
We fell into easier conversation, the tension easing. Seizing the moment, I nudged the topic toward relationships—same-sex ones, specifically. Testing the waters. To my surprise, he didn't flinch. If anything, he sounded open, even supportive. True love's worth fighting for, he said.
Then—a voice cut in. High-pitched, dripping with syrup.
"Danny~ Who's that? I got your favorite rice noodles! Hang up and come eat with me!"
The saccharine whine made my skin crawl.
I stiffened. "Daniel. Who was that? A coworker? I don't recognize his voice."
There was shuffling, like someone was crowding the phone. Daniel muttered, "I'm talking to my wife. Back off."
The guy gasped dramatically. "Danny, how could you? You were all over me earlier—kissing, hugging—and now you're ditching me? Hmph! You can't just push me away! I'm sticking to you like glue!"
I'd never heard a man flirt like that—so shameless, so cloying. The mental image made my stomach lurch.
Kissing? Hugging?
My grip tightened on the phone. "Daniel. What's going on? Who is this guy? Is he in love with you?"
Daniel started to answer, but there was a scuffle—then click. The line went dead. I called back. Straight to voicemail.
Three minutes later, a text lit up my screen:
That coworker's name is Ethan. I think… I might actually have feelings for him.
Just like that. No warning. No buildup.
The words detonated in my skull, leaving nothing but shock in their wake.