9 Chapter 9 45 " No matter what , he got hurt because of you ." Despite Leo's pleas , I refused . " When I was calling his name , none of you heard a thing " " Let it go . Why drag this out ? The longer this goes on , the worse it is for everyone ." He was stunned , then awkwardly hung up . In the hospital room , Kira came to visit him with a fruit basket , but she hesitated at the door , her eyes shifting . Ethan was weak , but he managed a small smile . " Kira , you're here … " Kira fidgeted with her dress , her voice small . " Ethan , I … I don't know how to take care of people … " Ethan forced a smile . " It's okay . You don't have to take care of me . Just talking is fine . " Kira looked down , playing with her nails . " But … my boyfriend won't be happy about it . " Ethan froze . " Boyfriend ? Since when ? " Kira blinked innocently , a sweet look in her eyes . " We've been together for a week . He doesn't like me getting too close to other guys ." Ethan's heart sank . He couldn't figure out if what he felt for Kira was love or just friendship . He always wanted to take care of her , because her weakness made him feel needed . Sarah , on the other hand , could handle so many things on her own . It seemed like she didn't need him that much . No , that's not right . When she was badly hurt , she needed me too . It's just … I got used to her being independent . A tremor went through Ethan as the realization hit him , Kira sighed beside him . " Ethan , the healer said your wolf core is damaged . You might never be able to fully shift again … I need someone who can protect me , not someone like you ." Kira stood up , ready to leave . 201 1/3 9 Chapter 9 " Besides , we were always just good friends , right ? " Flashes of him changing the ceremony location for her , buying her the expensive necklace , and ignoring Sarah for her sake flooded Ethan's mind . A wave of nausea washed over him . I see now … While Sarah was risking her life for me , I was risking my life for someone else . Everyone else knows their mate is the most important thing . I was the only one who treated a pearl like a stone and a fake like a treasure . Ethan looked down at his broken body and laughed bitterly . " Payback … This is payback ." Kira picked up her bag and opened the door . " Ethan , you get well … We should probably see less of each other from now on . " Ethan sneered . " Get out . " Kira's eyes welled up , as if she was the one being wronged . " Don't be like this … You're making this really difficult for me . " Ethan grabbed the water glass from his nightstand and threw it at the door . " I said get out ! " The glass shattered . Kira ran off , terrified , and never looked back . Tears streamed down Ethan's face as he slammed a fist against his own leg . Two months later , Gabriel was with me for a prenatal check - up . I glanced over and saw Ethan in a wheelchair . He quickly motioned for his caregiver to wheel him away , unable to face me . It was for the best . We were strangers now . When I got the results , Gabriel wrapped his arms around me and smiled with pure happiness . Gabriel and I were going to have our pup . From a corner , Ethan watched , his face a mask of envy and regret . He finally understood . The woman whose eyes were once filled with only him would never again cry for him , laugh for him , or bleed for him . Her future now belonged to someone else .