Chapter 6 – Jinx

• Anna
• After a long day of wandering the streets in search of a job, I returned empty-handed and exhausted. I’m not lacking in education, qualifications, or experience—so why is it so hard to find work? Why does everything have to be this way? Why am I here?
• What did I do in my past to deserve punishment like this?
• I couldn’t stop the questions from circling in my mind.
• And once again, the peace and quiet was disrupted by the pair of lovebirds. It seems this is their secret meeting spot… and I’m the uninvited guest.
• Just like before, I felt out of place. I didn’t want to be here, but I had nowhere else to go. I didn’t want to eavesdrop—but I couldn’t bring myself to make my presence known either.
• “Are you feeling better now?” Dr. Violet asked gently.
• “Much better, thanks to you,” Dr. Anderson replied.
• He paused, turned to face her, and took a deep breath.
• The atmosphere shifted—the timing, the mood, the emotions—it all screamed proposal. I watched with bated breath, anticipation curling in my chest.
• “Susan,” Anderson began, and I held my breath.
• “Would you… like to go out with me?” he asked.
• I exhaled slowly, just a little disappointed.
• Dr. Violet chuckled. “How many times have you asked me this?”
• “It’s been a long time since we graduated—I’ve lost count,” Dr. Anderson replied.
• “A hundred and fifty-one times,” she said, and he frowned.
• “My answer has always been the same,” she added gently.
• “You’re not attached to anyone,” he said, a hint of hope clinging to his words.
• “Dr. Anderson, I appreciate your feelings—all this time, I truly do. But I’m clean, and you’re not. I don’t want to be with someone whose name still sits on divorce papers.” Her rejection was soft, but firm.
• “Then why did you kiss me?” he asked, voice low, wounded.
• “You were distraught—I was just trying to help. If that gave you the wrong idea, I’m sorry,” Dr. Violet said gently.
• I felt for him. Anyone would’ve misunderstood. I would’ve, too.
• Slowly, his shoulders fell, and he released her. Dr. Violet placed a hand on his shoulder.
• “Friends for life?” she offered with a tentative smile.
• “I want to be alone. Give me some time,” Anderson replied, eyes avoiding hers.
• I watched as Dr. Violet left him behind—alone with a broken heart. Once the door shut, he sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands.
• The emotion in the air was so heavy, so raw, I dared not move. I wanted to say something, anything… but what could I say? We weren’t exactly on speaking terms, and this wasn’t a moment meant for me.
• So I stayed where I was… quietly observing the man I once knew unravel in front of me.
• An hour passed, and he remained unmoved.
• Pity got the better of me, so I approached—slowly, cautiously. I wasn’t sure if I was the person he wanted to see right now.
• “Dr. Anderson…” I called out gently. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
• Still, he didn’t move. Not until he spoke—his tone cold, unwelcoming.
• “You heard everything?”
• I flinched. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
• “So… you know,” he said darkly.
• Confused, I asked softly, “Know what?”
• The distraught man stood up, towering over me.
• He turned to face me—eyes red, but not from tears. There were no tears. Only resentment. Deep, scalding resentment.
• The way he looked at me made my heart seize with fear. But I couldn’t run. I couldn’t hide.
• “This is all your fault,” he growled, grabbing me by the arms and shaking me.
• “It’s all your fault! If you had never shown up in my life, everything would’ve gone right a year ago. We would’ve been married. We would’ve been happy!”
• His grip tightened, his voice breaking with rage.
• “A whore like you… will never be anything more than toxic trash. You disgust me. I wish you never existed!”
• He threw me to the ground and stormed off, leaving behind nothing but hatred.
• I froze, unable to move.
• The thought of nonexistence had crossed my mind many times before…
• But never had it hit this hard.
• His words cut deeper than I expected—and yet, can I really blame him? If that incident had never happened… we wouldn’t be here now.
• “The jinx strikes again. Totally deserved it,” I whispered, trying to force myself back on my feet and waddling down the stairs.
• A sharp pain shot up my leg with every step.
• Sprained ankle?
• “Deserved this too,” I muttered to myself, taking each step slowly, one shaky breath at a time.
• I limped my way back to the front office and had my foot checked out. It was just a sprain—nothing too dramatic. The invisible wound, however, hurt twice as much.
• While the nurse was still with me, I asked, “Where is Dr. Anderson?”
• “He took the rest of the day off,” she replied.
• “Do you know where he might be?”
• “I’m not sure,” she said with a small frown. “It’s odd, though. He’s never taken a sick day before.”
• With that, she left me alone with more questions than answers.
• Those who knew him found it odd for him to leave early. Meanwhile, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders. I felt awful—wishing I could make amends—but he probably didn’t want to see me again.
• Topics like this are sensitive. Involving myself any further might only make things worse.
• The most I could do now… was apologize—and stay out of his life for good.
• After getting my foot wrapped, I limped back to Mr. Hamburg’s room with a frown. I didn’t have a car, which meant the job interviews would have to be delayed for a few days.
• As it stood—I had no home, no job, and a mountain of medical bills waiting to be paid.
• Luckily, my personal savings could keep us afloat… but only for a few months.
• “What am I going to do?” I asked myself as I opened the door.
• “Do what?” Tyler chimed in, entering with dinner—just like he promised.
• He froze the moment he saw my foot and let out a dramatic scream, “Aaaah!!!”
• His inner queen was fully unleashed.
• “Honey, what happened to you?” he shouted in a panic.
• “Shh… Mr. Hamburg is sleeping,” I hissed, quickly covering his mouth before it could open any wider.
• I swear, Tyler could win an Oscar for drama.
• “As if he can hear me,” he muttered behind my hand. “Now answer me.” His tone shifted, suddenly stern and serious.
• I couldn’t help but chuckle at the way Tyler stood with his hand on his hip. For a moment, he looked exactly like an overbearing mother.
• “What’s so funny?” he tutted.
• “Nothing. Can I sit down first?” I asked, feeling like my foot might give out any second.
• “Right, come here.” Tyler helped me over to the couch and immediately fixed me with a glare.
• “Now tell me—what happened?” he demanded.
• “I went job hunting… but failed,” I admitted. “I needed some fresh air, so I went up to the rooftop.”
• I kept it vague. No need to drag him into the mess.
• “And your foot?” he asked.
• I looked away. “I fell and sprained my ankle,” I lied.
• He followed my gaze and leaned in until his face blocked my view entirely.
• “Avoiding eye contact, red ears... You’re a terrible liar,” he deadpanned.
• I sighed. It really sucks having only one friend—especially one who knows you too well and leaves zero room for escape. Cornered by his watchful gaze, I spilled everything.
• Mama bear was not happy when he heard the truth.