Chapter 5 The fog in Lena's mind cleared completely when she heard those words . She didn't even know where the strength came from , but she suddenly shot up and snatched her phone back . Hunter was stunned by her sudden movement . It took him a good few seconds to recover , and his voice was full of doubt when he spoke again .. " Lena , what's going on with you ? " Lena lowered her gaze . " Nothing . I just don't like other people answering my phone . " Hunter stiffened slightly , his expression growing darker . " Lena , what are you talking about ? How am I ' other people ' to you ? " He was about to press further when his own phone rang . The second he saw the caller ID , he stood up without hesitation and left after tossing her a sentence . " Get some rest . I just need to take this call - I'll be right back . " Lena had barely breathed a sigh of relief when her phone chimed twice . She tapped the screen and saw a message from Eleanor , which had been sent just a few seconds before . " Do you like the anniversary gift I gave you ? Hunter chose to save me when it came down to life or death . And now , all it takes is one phone call from me , and he comes running . You get it now , right ? Between you and me , who really matters more to him ? " 01 120 33 So the call Hunter just rushed out to take was from Eleanor , No wonder he left in such a hurry . As the door slowly shut , a cold heaviness sank in her chest . Lena forced her sick body up and quietly followed . She saw Eleanor run straight into Hunter's arms at the stairwell , her eyes filled with tears . " Hunter , you haven't come to see me these past few days . Are you still mad at me ? That night , when you stayed with me the whole time , and I asked you to let me handle the party , it was because I wanted you to rest . I wanted to ease some of your pressure . I didn't mean to mess everything up , and I didn't think Ms. Steele would get hurt . It's all my fault . You can blame me . " Hunter's heart , which had been cold and hardened , softened the second he saw her like that . " Lena's injury was an accident . No one could've predicted that the chandelier would fall like that . It's not your fault . " " I'm just glad you're not mad at me . " Eleanor blinked , her voice trembling slightly . " I keep thinking , what if that chandelier had hit me instead ? But you pulled me away just in time . You always said you didn't know who you really liked . But in such a dangerous moment , you chose to save me . Doesn't that mean , deep down , I matter more to you than Ms. Steele does ? " She bit her lip and looked at him pitifully , clearly hoping for a straight answer . But after hearing her words , Hunter just fell silent . Second by second , the silence stretched on . Eleanor clung to his waist , crying so hard she was practically shaking . 01:12 Chapter 5 288 Wow bers " I don't care . You saved me . That means I'm the most important person to you , right ? I'm not trying to steal your girlfriend's spot . I'm just insecure . I need to know where I stand with you . But if you won't even give me an answer , then just let me go . I won't stay by your side anymore . I don't want to be the secret lover hiding in the shadows . " The second he heard the word leave , Hunter gave in completely and rushed to comfort her . " Okay , okay . You're the most important one . Don't cry . And don't say anything about leaving ever again - I hate that . " The moment he gave in , Eleanor broke into a teary smile . " Then I won't say it again . This time , it really was my fault . I'll take the punishment . " Hunter raised an eyebrow and playfully tapped her nose , his eyes full of affection . " What kind of punishment ? " " The usual , okay ? " Even though she phrased it like a question , Eleanor had already risen on tiptoe , wrapped her arms around his neck , and kissed him . Hunter pulled her waist in closer, deepening the kiss . Lena watched the entire scene from the shadows - the kiss , the embrace , the tenderness between the two - and all the color drained from her face . Her chest felt like it was being crushed , heavy , and suffocating , each breath bringing a sharp , cold pain . She bit down hard , but nothing could stop that bitterness from spreading through her , fast and mercilessly . In the end , she lowered her head , turned around , and dragged her weak , 01:12 aching body away .