{A/N:} I did not have any intention of skipping yesterday for an update, I am so sorry about that! I really don't know why I didn't remember to write until it was too late. Again, I'm sorry!

~~~
Adrien and Alya had returned to the waiting room where Nino was being used for Hugo and Devan to crawl on. Their giggles filled the room, making everyone around smile and keep their minds off of their wait momentarily. Adrien had explained to Alya that he'd be visiting with an old friend and that she should keep an eye on Cole until he returned.

"Don't worry, you can count on me." She smiled at the blonde to ease his nerves.

Adrien returned the smile and bit down on his lip. "If anything happens, call me." Alya nodded and sat next to Nino. She leaned over and picked up Hugo, placing him in her own lap.

"We'll be here when you get back. Don't disappear on us again."  Alya and Nino laughed while Adrien made his way to the elevators.

As he stepped inside and pushed the button for the main floor, Adrien pulled out his cell phone and clicked on a contact, someone he hadn't heard from since graduation.

"Hey! Sorry to suddenly reach out, but I need your help. Can you meet me at the hospital?"

~~~
While Alya and Nino were distracted, Cole took the opportunity and slipped into Marinette's room. His back was to her, making it difficult for the bluenette to identify who had entered her room.

"Hello?" She asked, tilting her head.

Cole spun around with a smile. "Marinette! How are you feeling?"

The concern had left her face as she relaxed. Cole made his way over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm feeling fine. A little drowsy but I assume it's the pain medication."

Cole nodded before he sat down in a chair. "So, do you remember anything?"

Marinette bit her bottom lip and shook her head slightly. Her brows furrowed, conflicted. "I-I don't." She stuttered out. Her icy blue eyes averted to the floor as silence consumed them.

In the time it took for Alya to step out and tell Adrien the news of Marinette, she had slowly regained her memories, remembering the vital information she pieced together before her untimely injury. Almost instinctively, she reached behind her head to feel the stitches, the same thing she did when she was sent to hospital in college... the first time Adrien disappeared.

Her blue eyes widened as she remembered he had returned and she sat up quickly. "Adrien! Where is he?"

Cole arched a brow at her outburst before his signature smirk appeared. "Oh, him. Well, it's safe to say he won't be bothering you anymore."

"Why not?" Her brows furrowed even more.

"After I announced we were officially dating, he hit the road. He said something about..." Cole tapped his chin to make it seem like he was thinking. "He should've never came home because you moved on."

"Moved on? Dating?" Marinette shook her head. "We're not dating Cole. We kissed, that's it. Truth be told, you were the one who kissed me."

"You didn't turn away."

"I was shocked! Could you blame me?" Marinette say back, crossing her arms. " The nerve of you."
she mumbled.

"What are you talking about?" His smirk had vanished and what rested on his face instead slightly frightened Marinette.

She pushed down her fear and stared at him. "How stupid do you think I am? I figured it all out, Cole. You're not fooling anyone."

"Exactly what did you find out, hm? That Adrien left you forever? Because you should've known that a long time ago."

"Look," she narrowed her eyes. "My heart belongs to Adrien, not you. I will always love him and there is nothing anyone could do that will change my mind otherwise."

"Then why were starting to fall for me? If you really love him like you claim, you wouldn't have any feelings for me." Cole stood up, stepping closer to her. His hands wrapped around the railing of her bed, giving him access to lean in her face. Marinette's bluebell eyes narrowed even more as she stared up at him.

"I never said I was in love with you. I can have feelings for other people and they don't always have to be romantic, because truthfully, I don't see how anyone would love you."

Cole raised his hand, anger boiling through him. While they both stared at one another, a different voice from the door startled them.

"Don't lay a finger on her."

~~~

{A/N:} I know it's a short chapter but I wanted to end it here because the next chapter is a big one!

Chapter twelve: coming this Sunday

~miraculousduo♥️