5
Over the next few days, Ethan pulled out all the stops to win me over.
Latest jewelry, limited—edition bags, flowers flown in from across the country… I didn’t spare any of it a single glance.
Until he brought in a medical legend—Dr. Peter.
“Mrs. Carter, the bomb? Just a scratch. Your mother’s coma? That’s from hitting her head on a rock. She needs a craniotomy. Could wake in a week. But the surgery? Extremely risky. I’m the only person on this planet who can pull it off.”
My chest jumped.”Thank you… thank you so much!”
Dr. Peter waved a hand.”I haven’t touched a scalpel in years. I wouldn’t even be here if Mr. Carter hadn’t given up half his profits and stood out in the rain all night.”
I looked at Ethan. My gaze tangled with gratitude, resentment, and confusion.
After a long moment, I murmured,”Thank you, Mr. Carter.”
Ethan froze. Hurt flashed in his eyes.”Luna… please… don’t look at me like that.”
I turned away.
Before, whenever he upset me, he’d soften, plead, and I’d forgive him every time.
But this time was different.
He nearly got my mom killed. I couldn’t forgive him.
He stayed by my side throughout the surgery, never leaving.
Sitting on the hallway bench, he offered me water, snacks, occasionally squeezing my hand, whispering,”Don’t be scared. Mom will be okay.”
I remembered our first year of marriage. Mom had surgery then too, and he’d stayed just like this—gentle, patient.
For a moment, I almost forgot everything. It felt like how it used to be…
Except he reeked of Chloe’s perfume.
Mom’s surgery was a success.
The next day, I headed out for essentials—but was stopped in the parking lot.
It was Chloe. She smiled, blindingly sweet.
“You really think Ethan gives a damn about you or your mom? Let me tell you—on the day your mom collapsed, he pinned me down, took me three times… we went at it until dawn.”
I was already dead inside.
“What do you want?” I asked flatly.
“Your spot.”
“Soon,” I said calmly.”I’ll step aside for good.”
Chloe’s eyes narrowed, plotting. Then, suddenly, she threw herself against the car hood, collapsed, covered in blood.
I froze. The car wasn’t even on. Even if I had hit her, it wouldn’t be this bad. Where the hell was all that blood coming from?
Before I could process it, Ethan was sprinting over.
Chloe gave him a weak smile.”Mr. Carter, please… don’t blame Mrs. Carter. She’s just worried about her mother…”
Then she spat up a massive mouthful of blood and passed out.
Ethan didn’t speak. He yanked me out of the car, then slammed his hand across my face.
SMACK! My head snapped to the side, ears ringing.
“Luna! I just had Dr. Peter save your mom’s life! Why are you still taking it out on Chloe?!”
“She walked into it herself,” I said, icy and flat.
“Still lying?!” His eyes turned to shards of ice.”Chloe would never intentionally ram your car!”
No chance to explain. He ordered his men to drag me to a blood test.
I struggled, strapped into the chair.”Check the cameras! Surveillance will show!”
“Don’t even think about stalling,” Ethan whispered, cold and sharp.”If anything happens to Chloe, I’ll make your mom pay—with her life.”
His threat froze me. My hands went limp.
The needle pierced my vein. Fingertips trembled. Pain radiated up my arm, but my heart ached a thousand times worse.
I’d always feared needles. Back then, he’d cover my eyes and whisper,”Good girl, Luna. It’ll be over before you know it.”
Now? He just stared at the blood bag, hounding the nurse,”Faster. Draw it faster.”
Oblivious to my pale, shivering body.
Blood filled the bag. Vision blurred.
At 800cc, the nurse warned,”She has a heart condition. Another drop and her heart won’t take it… could go into failure.”
Ethan’s fingers trembled, but his voice stayed icy:”Keep going.”
I closed my eyes. It hit me: he didn’t care if I lived or died.
Dizziness hit. The last thing I saw was Ethan’s retreating back, clutching my blood bag.
Then the nurse screamed:”Code Blue! She’s in cardiac arrest!”
My mouth opened, but no sound would come.
Turns out, the deepest pain doesn’t let you cry.
It just swallows you whole.
Ethan.
I regret it.
I regret ever loving you.
God, I regret everything.
