Chapter 4

The girl in my arms drifted off to sleep.

I didn't know if Serena heard my last words, but it didn't matter anymore.

A few minutes later, Ethan rushed in.

He carefully took Serena from my arms. Then, his eyes caught the bloody scratches on my skin.

He immediately assumed I had attacked her.

After quickly checking Serena to make sure she wasn't hurt, he flew into a rage at me.

"Chloe, are you insane?!"

"You already signed the divorce papers! Why are you still messing with Serena? She is kind and gentle, but that doesn't give you the right to abuse her! I regret saving such a malicious woman like you!"

"Why didn't you just die on that operating table three years ago?!"

I stared at him, stunned.

I couldn't believe this was the same Ethan.

Back then, to pray for my survival, Ethan—a man who never believed in God—spent three days kneeling in a church.

“Please let my wife survive the surgery.”

And now, he was asking me why I didn't die on that very table.

I couldn't say a single word. Fighting back my tears, I turned around and walked out.

Behind us, the bartender spoke up in a quiet, hesitant voice.

"Sir, you've got it wrong."

"That lady was very gentle with your wife. It was your wife who scratched her arm until it bled."

Ethan froze.

By the time he tried to look for me, I was already gone.

I returned to my hotel room, patched up my wounds, and finally collapsed into a sobbing mess.

I cried until I didn't even have the strength to take my pills, eventually falling into a deep, exhausted sleep.

The alarm woke me up.

Today was Ethan and Serena’s wedding.

I had promised Ethan I would be there.

The ceremony was far grander than our wedding had been. I could tell Ethan truly cherished Serena.

When I arrived, the two of them were standing on the altar, reciting their vows.

I didn't take a seat, opting to sit in a quiet, dim corner instead. Some guests who recognized me whispered and stared in shock.

Then, Ethan spoke into the microphone on stage.

"My relationship with Serena has faced a lot of controversy."

"Because of that, I’ve invited a very special guest to the stage to say a few words for us. My ex-wife—Chloe."

I didn't expect Ethan to put me on the spot like this.

But I instantly understood his motive. He wanted me to clear Serena's name.

I walked up gracefully and took the microphone.

My voice was calm and steady.

"Yes, Ethan and I are divorced."

"I want to make it clear that our marriage had already ended before Ethan and Serena got together. We only delayed the paperwork due to my health. Serena was never a homewrecker in our relationship."

"I sincerely wish them a lifetime of happiness."

I thought my heart would break into pieces saying those words.

But strangely, my breathing didn't even falter. I just felt numb.

I walked off the stage and slipped out through the side door.

Just as I was about to reach the main exit, a little boy accidentally bumped into me.

The contents of my bag spilled all over the floor.

The boy was polite; he apologized and helped me gather my things.

I didn't think much of it since I had a flight to catch. I patted his head and hurried away.

But my medical report had slid into a dark corner, unnoticed.

The boy found it after I left. He looked around but couldn't find me anywhere.

So, during the reception while the bride and groom were changing outfits, he went to find his uncle.

The groom, Ethan.

Clutching the piece of paper, the boy knocked on the dressing room door. He looked at Ethan and Serena, who had just changed into their evening wear.

"Uncle Ethan, I bumped into Aunt Chloe at the entrance. She dropped this."

"But she was already gone when I tried to return it."

"Can you look at it?"

Ethan took the paper, saying casually:

"Let me see."

"It's a diagnosis report... cancer relapse. Patient's name..."

"Chloe Harper."