Chapter 2: The One They Always Left Behind

The next morning. Pouring rain.

I rushed downstairs, planning to catch a ride with Callan to work.

Yeah, I was just a receptionist. But we all worked at the same research institute.

The institute apartment was a three-person share. It had been set up that way from the start—they did the research, I handled life.

Callan was already backing the car out, deep in conversation with Elara in the passenger seat.

I banged on the window, frantic.

He didn't notice. Just drove off.

Callan, wait.

I chased after the car a few steps. The pavement was slick. I went down hard and scraped my elbow raw.

Callan still didn't see.

When Elara was around, he never saw me.

I wiped the muddy blood off as best I could and ran for the metro, biting down on the pain.

Still late when I got to the institute.

Callan and Elara walked past, shoulder to shoulder. Their smiles faded when they saw me.

This is how you do your job? Look at the time.

Why didn't you wait for me this morning?

I forced the words out past the ache.

Before Callan could answer, Elara cut in.

It's not that Callan didn't wait, Sage. You wouldn't understand unless you did research. Every second in the lab counts. We really can't waste time waiting for you.

She patted my shoulder, voice low and coaxing.

Callan sighed.

He looked at me with that tired expression. Like I was a child who just wouldn't learn.

You knew it was raining. Couldn't you leave the house earlier?

I've been telling you since school—be disciplined. Why do you never listen?

I don't expect you to achieve what Elara has. But you can't even handle a receptionist job without messing up?

But whenever Elara forgot her purse—

He was so patient then.

Teasing her with a grin. A little genius in the lab, a little scatterbrain in life.

In that moment, I suddenly didn't have the energy to argue.

A second later, he stepped back hard and turned away. Like he didn't know me at all.

Someone was coming.

Callan always said the institute had complicated politics. Better to keep our relationship quiet for now. Better for me.

A colleague stopped and grinned at the two of them.

Well, well, Dr. Callan, Dr. Elara. Aren't you two the institute's perfect match?

The lovebirds, stuck together again this morning?

I stared at the floor, numb.

Used to it. I'd been used to it since I was seventeen.

At the institute, Callan and Elara were the ones who belonged together.

Childhood sweethearts. Double prodigies. Double PhDs. The dazzling golden duo.

Then someone gasped.

Who says Callan doesn't know how to treat a woman? Elara, that bag—isn't that the new season's limited edition? Those are impossible to get!

I stole a glance. Froze.

Elara's bag was beautiful.

I'd mentioned it to Callan once.

He'd bought some cheap knockoff online. A random brand.

He said he was too busy. Couldn't tell the difference.

But the authentic limited-edition color was right there on Elara's shoulder.

Hey. Receptionist. Can't you see Dr. Elara and Dr. Callan are discussing work here?

Get the coffee. Do you have zero situational awareness?

I snapped back, shoved the bitterness down.

Nodded. Hurried over with the coffee.

Except Elara got excited mid-sentence and flung her hand up.

The scalding coffee spilled everywhere.

It ran down my sleeve, soaked into my blouse. The pain turned my face white.

Callan pushed me aside. He took Elara's hand, gentle and careful.

Elara! Are you okay?

Once he'd confirmed Elara was fine—

He checked the data on the table. Thorough. Meticulous.

Only then did his eyes land on me. His voice dropped.

You can't even pour coffee right? Do you know those are the hands she does research with?

Alright, Callan. Are you worried about me or the experiment?

Elara pretended to be mad.

Then she noticed my arm, cradled against my body. The skin was an angry red. She let out a gasp.

Callan, Sage got burned! A big patch! Go get the burn cream!

Callan frowned and pulled my arm over to check.

Seeing no one was around, he blew on it softly. Lowered his voice.

Does it hurt? Wait here. I'll get the medicine.

The burn cream never came. Not even by the end of my shift.

Because Callan turned around and went straight into the lab with Elara.

Forgot. A small thing.

Soaked from the storm. Burned. By that afternoon, I was burning up with a fever.

Maybe because I looked genuinely wrecked—

Callan broke his routine. Ended work early. Drove me home.

Tonight, I was going to tell him. The wedding was off. I was leaving.

My head was pounding, thoughts hazy.

Halfway home, Elara suddenly jerked upright in the passenger seat.

Callan, change route! Now! Stanford's hosting Professor Winston's lecture tonight! We have to go! It's right in our field!

Callan's dark eyes lit up.

A chance like this—we can't miss it.

But… isn't Sage not feeling well? Maybe drop her home first?

Callan hesitated a few seconds. Checked his watch.

No. The storm's backing up traffic. We'll miss it.

Sage, get out. Call yourself an Uber. Don't worry—we'll be home soon to take care of you.

I hadn't even found my footing.

The black Tesla peeled away. Couldn't wait to be rid of me.