Chapter 20
The former mother–in–law’s loud voice carried, and Keith overheard. They exchanged a troubled glance.
Harold had always been calm and composed throughout their six–year acquaintance.
How could someone so rational–seemingly emotionless–contemplate ending his life?
Despite their past, Emily took leave after that call. She’d return to check on him.
Keith stopped her while booking tickets, serious, “I’m going back with you.”
Afraid she’d refuse, he added, “We’ll take the VIP lane. I’ll drive you straight to the hospital there. Someone will bring my car back later.”
With everything arranged, Emily didn’t object.
At the hospital, Harold was out of critical condition but lay in the ICU. Emily watched him barely clinging to life through the glass, emotions. tangled in her chest.
Then her former mother–in–law approached, wiping tears.
“Harold’s a doctor himself. He knew exactly where to strike lethally–it was suicide. The surgeons said even if he pulls through, he’ll never practice medicine again.”
Meaning his hands were ruined.
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Emily’s heart sank. She could only offer comfort.
“Mary, he’s brilliant. Even if he can’t practice medicine anymore…”
Her words trailed off, sounding hollow even to herself.
Her former mother–in–law was consumed by regret.
“This is all my fault. I failed to raise him right, let him become this…. extreme.”
“Thank you for still visiting him, Emily. You’re a good girl. I’d hoped… maybe there was still a chance for you two, since he wanted to change. Seems it was just wishful thinking.”
Mary grasped Emily’s hands.
“I won’t bring this up again. Let bygones be bygones.”
“I’ll take Harold away from here. I won’t let him bother you all anymore.”
You all?
Emily looked back and saw Keith standing there looking utterly pitiful, as if abandoned. She sighed helplessly.
After exchanging a few words with Mary, she walked toward Keith.
“Let’s go.”
Keith looked stunned. “We’re leaving already?”
Emily shot him a glance.
“You can stay if you prefer.”
“I’m coming!” Keith blurted out, then mumbled under his breath,
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“Thought you’d softened and wanted to stay until Harold wakes up.”
Emily pinched the fleshy part of his arm.
“What am I supposed to do here? I’m neither a doctor nor a caregiver.”
“Ex–wives should act like ex–wives should.”
Keith chuckled at her words, the gloom in his eyes vanishing instantly.
They didn’t return to Riverside Town but went back to school.
Half a month later, Emily received a text from her former mother–in–law Mary, saying Harold had woken up and they were preparing to take him to Metropolis for rehabilitation.
She replied: “Okay, have a safe trip.”
Beyond that, she had no further contact with Harold or the King family.
Time flies.
Another three months later, Emily and Keith established a relationship and decided to try dating.
That day, Emily was walking home alone. But on the familiar street, she spotted someone whose back looked strikingly like Harold’s.
When she tried to look closer, that figure vanished again.
That evening, fifteen different bouquets of flowers appeared at Emily’s doorstep.
She picked them up. Five bouquets bore cards reading: “Happy anniversary, Emily!”
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Chapter 20
Another five carried: “Happy Valentine’s Day, Emily.”
The final five stated: “Happy birthday, Emily.”
Seeing these cards, Emily knew Harold had sent the flowers. She hadn’t
been mistaken earlier.
That retreating figure belonged to Harold, unseen for so long.
Each bouquet contained a gift: necklaces, bracelets, luxury handbag vouchers…
Emily frowned just as her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown
number:
“Emily, the whole family moved to Metropolis. We won’t return.”
“Dispose of these as you wish. Wishing you and Keith happiness.”
Emily didn’t reply. After consulting Keith, she liquidated the items and transferred the money to Harold.
Harold soon turned back and set his account to block stranger transfers. That number became disconnected too.
Just like that, Emily and Harold returned each other to the sea of people, vanishing from each other’s worlds.
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