Chapter 3
For an instant, I was terrified he might notice something was wrong with me.
Even now, I was not really sure if he still cared about me at all.
I instinctively reached up, wanting to wipe the blood off my face, only to brush against the mask covering my mouth. Only then did I remember- the paramedics had given it to me when I got out of the ambulance.
I let out a breath of relief, but somehow, I also felt a tinge of regret.
I suddenly wondered–how would he react if he saw my face covered in blood?
Would he feel even a hint of regret for being so heartless and abandoning me outside all alone last night?
My thoughts were still in turmoil when I suddenly saw a familiar petite figure dart to Elbert.
The girl was holding a bag of medicine and clung intimately to his arm. “Elbert, let’s go,” she cooed.
I recognized her–she was Elaine Payne, the daughter of one of Elbert’s business partners.
My relationship with Elbert had been legendary for years.
People said the newly appointed president of the Bourn Group had no interest in women–he was notoriously doting on his sister only.
Over time, the rumors shifted–people started saying Elbert had a thing for spoiled little princesses.
At a dinner party a year ago, a business partner brought his daughter along. The moment she saw Elbert, she sweetly called out, “Hi, Elbert!”
But at that time, Elbert just looked indifferent and didn’t even bother to say a single word to her.
My throat tightened with bitterness as I walked past them.
Elbert’s voice suddenly broke the silence. “I’ve rescheduled the company meeting. I’ll stay with you and get you admitted first.”
Elaine cooed, “No. It’s just a mild cold.”
Elbert responded firmly, “You can’t be careless with your health. I’ll take care of your admission.”
I suddenly remembered the year my parents died.
I was in the hospital with a 104–degree fever and called Elbert, begging him to come see me.
He was just blocks away on business, but said he had to rush back for a company meeting in an hour–he couldn’t even spare a minute to see me.
So it seemed he stopped caring about me a long time ago.
My nose stung with unshed tears.
Afraid my emotions would show, I kept my head down and walked straight to the elevator.
From behind, Elaine asked in a hushed, hesitant voice, “Um, isn’t that Pandora over there? Is she sick too?”
Elbert snapped coldly, “She’s just putting on an act. Ignore her.”
A sudden, sharp pain pierced my heart, as if stabbed by a needle.
As I stepped into the elevator, a tissue was offered to me from the side.
A man’s deep voice sounded gentle. “Here, wipe your tears.”
Only then did I realize my eyes were brimming with tears.
My heart skipped a beat as I whipped my head around,
But of course, it couldn’t be Elbert.
Instead, it was Marshall Long–the man I was pledged to marry since we were young.
ayerted my gaze and said flatly, “No need.”
As the elevator doors slowly slid shut, Elbert and Elaine were approaching.
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I didn’t want to look too pathetic in front of others.
So I forced a smile and said, “Can you imagine how devastated he’d be if I told him?”
Marshall looked outside at Elaine, who was practically glued to Elbert.
He remained silent, clearly unconvinced.
With deadpan humor, I joked, “Don’t be fooled by how he acts now.
“When I die, he’ll be the first to break down in tears.”
As the words left my lips, a heavy silence fell over the elevator.
How absurd!
Not even Marshall believed it–and truth be told, neither did I.
When the elevator finally stopped on the third floor, I stepped out.
Only then did I hear Marshall’s somewhat sorrowful voice from behind me. “With proper treatment, you won’t die.”
That was what everyone said to terminally ill patients.
Without another word, I went to my hospital room.
When facing death, what I feared most was loneliness.
Especially this morning–when I woke to find my sheets soaked in blood.
That overwhelming fear and helplessness made me start to fear being alone.
I still had some savings, but I opted for a general ward instead of a private one, thinking the company of other patients might ease the loneliness,
I entered the ward right at lunchtime..
At the next bed, a middle–aged woman–likely the mother–was setting up the bedside tray and laying out steaming homemade dishes and soup for her daughter.
Further down, another bed was surrounded by a whole family–parents and siblings, all chatting and laughing together.
A
Only then did I realize I hadn’t had a single bite all morning.
After settling into the hospital bed, I took out my phone and ordered some takeout. Perhaps out of consideration for me, the lively chatter nearby noticeably quieted down.
I could feel curiou’s eyes sneaking glances in my direction now and then.
I guess it was hard not to notice–a deathly pale patient, here all alone without any family.
I thought being around more people would ease my loneliness, but now I suddenly feel
and
The heavy rain outside had left my takeout barely warm by the time it ved,?
seeped into my bones and still lingered.
ven
more isolated.
after getting caught in last night’s downpour, the chill had
The rich aroma of soup from the next bed wafted over, its steaming warmth alone seeming stomach.
I ope
d
soup I
to
reach deep into my empty
A
I dor
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