Everyone praised him—handsome, kind-hearted, a genuine good guy.
For the first time in my life, I had someone willing to stand by my side.
So I wanted to protect him, just like I had when I was eight.
Even though I still didn't know how he'd contracted an STD.
I figured I'd ask him privately later.
"Cedric, please—you can't show that report. I'm begging you. Do it as a favor to me."
Cedric frowned.
"Give you a favor? And who's going to look out for all these innocent people?"
His voice rose with righteous indignation. "Besides, does your wife even know about your... conditions? How could you do this to her!"
Kate glanced at him, surprise flickering across her face.
A hint of admiration crept into her gaze.
"Whether I've wronged her or not, I'll get tested with her later. That's between us." I kept my voice even. "You don't need to concern yourself."
I turned to leave.
A hand shot out and clamped around my wrist. The report was snatched away.
Cedric waved it in front of my face, his expression wounded but determined.
"Irvin, I know you. You've always been good at lying."
He shook his head slowly. "Normally, I'd play along. But this? This affects everyone's health. I can't just let it slide."
My jaw tightened. "What the hell are you talking about?"
But he was already unfolding the report.
I lunged forward and ripped it from his hands.
Tore it once. Twice. Three times.
Flung the pieces into the air.
They scattered like snow.
"Are you done?" I stared him down. "You won't be satisfied until everyone knows the 'truth,' is that it? I'm warning you—you'll regret this."
"No, I won't!"
Cedric's composure cracked, fury bleeding through.
"You're my best friend, but I can't cover for you! Someone who can't keep himself clean catches a disease, and what—the rest of us are supposed to risk exposure because of you?"
I bit down hard, forcing the rage back.
"The report's gone. Say whatever you want. It doesn't matter now."
"Who says it's gone?"
He lifted his chin, a challenge in his eyes.
"If you're really sincere about this, let's go to the hospital right now and get another copy." He swept his arm toward the crowd. "Everyone here can come along. If you're clean, we'll all breathe easy. If you're not... well, we should probably get tested too."
His voice turned grave. "After all, you've touched so many things here. What if there's cross-contamination?"
I stared at him, disbelief hollowing out my chest.
"You really want to push me into a corner with no way out?"
Cedric's gaze darted to Kate—just a flicker, barely a heartbeat.
Something triumphant gleamed in his eyes.
Then his face crumpled into an expression of pained sincerity.
"Irvin, I'm not trying to corner you. I just think... if you tell us the truth now, it won't delay your treatment."
I said nothing.
He stepped closer, reaching out to pat my hand.
"I know this disease is serious. But as your best friend, I would never abandon you." His grip tightened, warm and reassuring. "I'll be right there with you through treatment. Every step of the way."
His palm pressed against the back of my hand.
A chill crawled up my spine.
I had a small cut on my hand.
And his medical report had barely shown a single normal reading.
Kate's eyes lingered on Cedric.
"Irvin, your buddy's a real man."
"Right? I noticed him the moment he walked in—tall, long legs, ridiculously good-looking."
"Handsome and noble."
"Meanwhile, who knows how this ugly one caught that kind of disease. Are there really women out there with a fetish for hideous men? I mean, look at that scarred-up face."
My teeth ground together.
"Cedric." My voice came out low, controlled. "You're sure you want to go to the hospital right now? Get the report? With everyone watching?"
"Absolutely!"
One of the guests couldn't contain himself. "You'd better pray you're clean. If you're not, every single one of us will sue you into the ground!"
I ignored him.
My eyes stayed locked on Cedric.
"You're sure?"
