Mistaken Hearts and Viral Revenge

"Last year, when I sprained my ankle playing basketball, you only came to the hospital after work because you didn’t want to lose money," Ethan muttered, his tone low and a little bitter.

Vanessa pouted, turning toward him. "Ethan, don’t bring up the past."

We fell into silence, the only sound the hum of the AC. I pulled out my phone and messaged Ethan’s roommate.

[Is Ethan’s new girlfriend Vanessa Li?]

He replied instantly. [? Last time it wasn’t her!]

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. It hadn’t even been that long and he’d already moved on—classic Ethan.

"Who are you going to see?" Ethan suddenly asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

Honestly, I’d only known Julian for maybe two weeks. Calling us friends was a stretch.

"A friend," I said, keeping it vague.

Ethan’s face somehow managed to darken even more.

"This hospital only takes VIPs. Guess your friend’s pretty special," he said, voice icy cold.

The car felt like it had dropped ten degrees. I checked the GPS—ten minutes left.

At a red light, Vanessa held up her phone to Ethan. "Ethan, I really like this necklace, but it’s kind of expensive..."

He didn’t even blink. "If you like it, I’ll buy it for you."

Vanessa beamed. "Ethan, you’re the best," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

I checked the GPS again—almost there. I couldn’t resist. "Almost forgot you two were still here..."

Vanessa giggled, peeking at me through her fingers. "Was Ethan this generous when you were together?"

I nodded, plastering on my brightest fake smile. "Oh yeah, super generous! It was always a car or a house!"

Ethan slammed the brakes, turning to glare at me. "Get out!"

I looked out the window. We’d arrived at the hospital. Couldn’t have timed it better.

---

I stared at "Julian Foster" lying in the hospital bed, pale and unmoving, machines beeping softly. Then I glanced at Julian standing next to me, arms folded, studying his own body like it was a suit he’d outgrown.

Suddenly it all made sense. "So you’re not dead!" I blurted, relief and confusion tangling together in my voice.

He shot me an exasperated look. "I got knocked out in the car accident. Now I can’t get back in."

I leaned over the bed, checking for signs of life. Sure enough, his chest was rising and falling—alive, just not awake.