---- Chapter 10 I don't know when Ethan and Maddie left that day. Two days later, restless, | reported to Mr. Carter's office. He didn't waste time and assigned me a few tasks. Work was the only thing that could gradually erase Ethan from my thoughts. The next day, | went out with one of Mr. Carter's assistants for a meeting, As soon as we stepped out of the car, a disheveled woman charged toward us, wielding a knife that glinted ominously in the sunlight. The wind blew her hair back, revealing a face twisted with rage. It was Maddie. Blood trailed down her legs as she screamed, "Vivian, you need to die! Only if you're gone will Ethan love me again!" People scattered in fear, too terrified to intervene. The knife came down, but before it reached me, a familiar warmth stepped in front of me. The sickening sound of the blade piercing flesh echoed, followed by Ethan's strained voice. "Vivian, are you okay?" ---- | nodded, watching as Maddie was finally subdued by the security guards who arrived far too late Supporting Ethan, | said, "'m fine. Let me call an ambulance for you." Ethan seemed oblivious to the pain, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Just let me hold you" he whispered before collapsing into my arms. The knife had missed his heart by mere inches. Any closer, and saving him would have been impossible. Sitting by his hospital bed, | stared at his pale face and sighed "Ethan, we could've had such a bright future." \ arranged for a caregiver to look after him and headed to the police station. Maddie, now detained, muttered incoherently about being Ethan's wife and their upcoming wedding After giving my statement, | asked to see her. When she saw me, her eyes cleared for a moment, "Vivian... why wasn't it you? Why didn't you die?" "He told me he loved me," she sobbed. | sighed. "Maddie, I've heard those words countless times in the eight years | was with him. And yet, he still cheated on me with you. Why did you believe him?" ---- Her tears fell harder as she broke down at the table. "I made a mistake. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." When | got back to the hospital, the caregiver called me. 's. Vivian, your patient insists on seeing you. He says if you don't come, he'll find a way to come to you." Arriving at the hospital, | found the doctor dressing Ethan's reopened wound. When he saw me, his eyes lit up like a child's. "Vivian..." The doctor scolded him a bit more before leaving. | sat on the edge of the bed, looking at him. than, your mistakes have hurt so many people." He hurried to defend himself. "It was Maddie's fault! She threw herself at me. It wasn't my choice." | couldn't hold back a bitter laugh. "And you went along with it without a second thought? Did you ever feel the slightest guilt?" Ethan fell silent. The quiet stretched on-two minutes, maybe five. ---- "So... there's no chance for us anymore, is there?" I met his gaze. "You should've known the moment you got involved with Maddie that this was how we'd end." He struggled internally before finally letting out a single word "Okay." He slumped back onto the bed, his body frail, his spirit crushed I nodded, picked up my bag, and walked out without looking back. As | closed the door, | caught a glimpse of his tears, streaming endlessly down his face. This time, it was really goodbye Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!