---- Chapter 6 When | woke up, it was already the next morning, The IV needle had been removed from my hand, and someone had gently tucked my hand back under the blanket. Before | could sit up, | heard Ethan's voice. He was curled up on the small sofa by the bed, dark circles under his eyes and a faint shadow of stubble on his jaw. "Vivian, are you feeling better? I'll go grab you some breakfast." Afraid | might refuse, he didn't even wait for my reply before darting out of the room When we'd first gotten together, I'd fallen seriously ill not long after. Worried about disturbing Ethan, | hadn't told him. Yet somehow, he found out from a mutual friend and showed up at the hospital. He stayed by my side day and night, never leaving Every time | opened my eyes, he was the first person | saw. Back then, | thought I was the luckiest woman in the world to have someone so selflessly devoted to me, ---- But who could've imagined he would change so completely? Whether it was my stomach cancer or the car accident that nearly killed me years ago, Ethan acted as if my life or death didn't matter. And now. Watching him rush out the door without a second thought, | felt a wave of confusion. Is this guilt? Regret? It doesn't matter. I don't need it anymore. Not long after, Ethan came back holding a freshly prepared bowl of Greek salad. He set up the tray table carefully, then helped me sit up. "The doctor said you need to eat something light. | know you hate oatmeal, so | got you a salad instead." He hesitated, studying my expression as he placed it in front of me. "Don't worry. This time, there's no onion." Even though | didn't want to be connected to Ethan anymore, | still picked up the fork and slowly began eating ---- I'd already decided to leave him and start over. But | couldn't afford to neglect my health. When Ethan saw | wasn't rejecting the food, he let out a quiet sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing, While clearing the dishes, Ethan's phone buzzed on the table. Reaching over, | picked it up. The name flashing on the screen was unmistakable: Maddie Ethan froze when he saw it. "She changed the contact name herself. I'll fix it later." | shrugged indifferently and handed him the phone, pressing the answer button for him Maddie's sickly sweet voice immediately filled the room. "Ethan, where are you? Weren't you supposed to take me to the amusement park today? I've been waiting forever." Her tone was intimate, almost cloying. Once upon a time, I'd tried to be playful with Ethan too, but he'd dismissed me outright. "Vivian, you're in your twenties. Aren't you a little old to be acting like that?" It wasn't just playful banter. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!