chapter 4

"Okay," Ethan replied.

Ethan answered so fast that his brain hadn't caught up yet. Only after the words left his mouth did he remember to tack on some extra conditions. "But you can't ask me to get married, or to love you, or to..."

"Just take another wedding photo with me?" I said.

Ethan gave me a weird look.

And I continued, "The last time we tried to take wedding photos, I think I got upset over a little celebrity scandal with you, and you didn't show up. Just consider it a final memory before we split, okay?"

"Fine," he replied.

I guessed he must be really busy. He had spent a long time coordinating with his secretary in the car, pushing meetings back again and again, until he finally carved out half a day.

We set the date for two days later.

That day, I spent a long time doing my makeup, getting ready to head out.

Suddenly, a chill hit my nose. I instinctively touched it.

Sure enough, there was bright red blood.

The bleeding worsened, spilling across the floor. My legs wobbled, and I couldn't stand. The room spun, and I collapsed. Pain pills couldn't dull it—I sank into darkness.

When I woke up again, I saw an IV bag hanging beside me.

Daniel saw me awake and removed his mask. "Claire, you've been out for three whole days.

"If it weren't for the cemetery staff calling me about you not having signed the forms, you wouldn't have made it through the night. You lost way too much blood."

My heart skipped a beat. I remembered the wedding photo shoot I'd promised Ethan.

I checked my phone. Dozens of missed calls from him.

He must have been waiting for me all day.

"Claire, I'm here. How long?"

"You're three hours late. Hurry up. I've got another meeting later."

"Are you punishing me for standing you up by standing me up? Come downstairs, I'll have someone pick you up."

"Today was supposed to be a big funding conference. I carved out time for you—what the hell are you doing? Last warning—if you're not here by 11, I'm done. I won't see you again!"

...

I dialed back anxiously.

Sure enough, I'd been blocked.

I had to use Daniel's phone. After a long ring, someone finally picked up.

"Ethan, something came up that day. I didn't mean to stand you up, I'm really sorry! Please don't be mad. Let's find another time to take the wedding photos, okay?" I said.

But it wasn't Ethan who answered. It was Olivia. "So that's why Ethan was working so crazily the past few days—it was to go out with you.

"But there's no next time. Haven't you seen the news? We're about to get married! Today was supposed to be our wedding photo shoot. Want to come see?"

I could hear Ethan's voice faintly in the background, Olivia chattering away, relaying what happened.

He sounded pissed, frowning, "Hang up.

"From now on, I don't want to hear a single word about her."

A few days ago, I probably would have just let it go and stayed quiet.

But now, maybe it was the recklessness of a person close to death. Even as Daniel tried to stop me, I yanked out the IV, swallowed half a bottle of painkillers, and forced myself out to see him.

Surrounded by a swarm of photographers, Ethan, in his tux and Olivia in her flowing white gown, clasped hands, the huge ring on her finger gleaming.

Olivia spotted me first. Holding her dress, she couldn't wait to flaunt it. "Wow, you actually came. Gotta say, I admire your nerve.

"After all, in our circle, there aren't many shameless people like you."

I ignored her sarcasm, reached out to touch her dress, and looked at her lively face.

I sincerely praised, "You look really beautiful in this."

Ethan came over from a distance, scowling at me, "How did you get in? Security! Kick her out!"

I grabbed Ethan's hand, trying to explain, "I'm sorry. Something urgent came up that day. I didn't mean to stand you up. I'm really sorry, I..."

He shook off my hand, cutting me off, "I don't want to hear excuses. Claire, you know me. I'm a businessman—I only care about results. Besides, you weren't the only one busy that day.

"I gave you a chance. You didn't treasure it."

No sooner had he finished than security dragged me out.

I didn't resist.

I felt it was fate.

Daniel had waited for me a long time. Seeing my haggard face, he understood everything.

He smiled to comfort me, pulled me to a spot, encouraged a stiff smile, and excitedly showed me the result on his phone.

It was a misaligned photo.

I was in the foreground, blocking Olivia, but somehow Ethan and I ended up in the same frame—a belated "wedding photo".

Looking at the photo, I both cried and laughed.

I left in a hurry, before I could meet Ethan's quiet gaze from behind.

That night, I was rushed into the ER.

Under the red lights all night, Daniel got no good news—just one critical notice after another.

After thinking for a long time, Daniel finally dialed Ethan.

It was noisy on the other end—Ethan was probably entertaining guests at the wedding banquet.

"Hello, who is this?" Ethan asked.

"This is Briarstone Central Medical Center. Are you Claire Bennett's family? Please come sign the critical condition notice—she's in the ER," Daniel replied.