Chapter 2

When Scott returned from the billing department, he held a cup of iced coffee.

He popped the straw in and handed it to me, his voice soft and gentle.

"Drink something first, Elly. The private nurse is watching Nana."

I stared at the coffee cup but didn’t reach for it.

In the past, I would have fallen for this gesture instantly.

When he was two hours late for our dates, I would make excuses for him.

When he refused to make our relationship public, I would tell myself he was just a private person.

Only today did I realize it wasn't that he didn’t know how to love. He just didn’t love me.

Seeing me frozen, Scott reached out to brush my hair back.

I stepped half a foot away, leaving his hand hanging in the cold air.

Catherine stood nearby, watching the drama unfold with a smug smirk.

"Come on, Elly. You're not seriously going to throw a tantrum over some silly guys' group chat, are you?"

"Guys talk big before marriage. You should be throwing a party that you're even marrying into the Franklin family."

"Did you honestly expect him to treat you like a worshiped goddess?"

My face darkened.

"Catherine, Nana is still in there."

Catherine shrugged.

"I’m just speaking the truth. So what if he has someone else in his heart? He’s still marrying you in the end, isn't he?"

I looked up, my eyes cold. "Shut up."

Catherine gasped, startled, and then rolled her eyes.

"The date is set, invitations are sent out. Who are you putting on this show for?"

Scott finally sensed something was off. He looked at me, his brow furrowing.

"Elly, did you look at my phone?"

I handed the device back to him. "Yes, I did."

Scott put the phone in his pocket. I expected him to get angry at me for invading his privacy.

Instead, he avoided my gaze, nervously tapping on his Apple Watch to check the group chat.

Sometimes I hated having such perfect eyesight. I saw the new message pop up on his wrist:

“Aurora just landed in Chicago. Scott, you going to pick her up?”

The next second, he tapped a quick reply on his watch.

“Stop texting. Don't let Aurora see this.”

A quiet laugh escaped my lips.

So, it didn't matter what I saw. What mattered was that Aurora didn't see.

Hearing my laugh, Scott looked up, a flash of panic crossing his face.

"Elly, they were just joking."

"Were the things you said a joke, too?"

Scott fell silent.

That silence was louder than any confession.

Catherine scoffed from the side.

"Elly, that's enough."

"Nana is holding on just to see you get married. If you call off the wedding now, aren't you afraid you’ll literally kill her?"

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed through the quiet hallway.

Catherine clutched her burning cheek, staring at me in absolute disbelief.

"Elly! Are you out of your mind?"

I looked at her, my voice dead calm.

"Make one more joke about Nana, and I’ll have security drag you out of this hospital."

Catherine’s eyes welled with tears as she turned to Scott for support.

But Scott didn't say a word to defend her.

Ignoring them both, I turned and walked into the ICU.

Nana hadn't woken up yet. The oxygen mask covered her face, her breathing so shallow it felt like it could slip away at any second.

I sat by her bedside and took her frail, thin hand.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a notification from the hospital’s HR portal.

【Your application for International Medical Relief has been submitted. It cannot be withdrawn once approved.】

I tapped "Confirm."

On the bed, Nana’s fingers twitched slightly.

I leaned down, tucking the blanket around her shoulders, and whispered:

"Nana... I think I need to go somewhere far away."

This time, I was done waiting for someone to choose me.