chapter 5

A panicked voice reached my ears.

It was Eric shouting, "Nicole! You idiot! How could you be so careless and hurt yourself like this? I'm taking you to the hospital."

He carried me straight out the door as Felicia called after us. "Eric!"

Eric didn't stop for a second. "Nicole has lost too much blood. She's in danger."

At the Zoxpolis Central Hospital, the doctor cleaned and dressed the wound on my leg, wrapping it carefully in gauze.

Eric stayed by my side the entire time I was hospitalized.

After the doctor and nurses left, he leaned close to my ear and said, "Nicole, I will marry you."

Seeing me remain silent, he added, "I've never forgotten the promise I made back then."

He reached out to gently ruffle my hair. "I told your mother I'd protect you for life. A man's word is his bond, and I'll keep it.

"Just… don't make things hard for Felicia. She's about to leave for the marriage alliance and won't be with you for long. I hope you two can get along."

I turned my face away, not letting him see my tear-filled eyes.

"Nicole, what do you want to eat? I'll go get it," he said softly.

I didn't answer.

He stepped lightly out of the room.

Lying in bed with nothing to do, I opened the language app on my phone and started studying Entogow's language.

About 20 minutes later, Eric returned, carrying a big bag full of my favorite foods.

"I got some chicken soup from the restaurant downstairs. Drink it while it's hot and get your strength back," he said, opening the food container.

Warm steam immediately filled the room. "Eat while it's hot."

At that moment, his gaze fell on my phone lying on the pillow.

Hearing the babbling sounds, he asked curiously, "Nicole, what's that? Why are you listening to this?"

"Just for fun! A friend recommended it," I replied casually.

After finishing the chicken soup, Eric cleaned up the mess.

"I have something to do. I'll be back later," he said.

I knew he was going to see Felicia.

The next day, after being discharged, I didn't want to return home and went straight to the airport.

While waiting to board, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of me.

It was Eric.

He looked at me with guilt. "Felicia, I'm sorry. I didn't protect you. If you run into trouble in Entogow, call me anytime."

I froze for a moment, then realized he had mistaken me for Felicia.

So I chose to let the mistake stand as it was.

I said nothing and pulled my hat and mask down to hide my face.

"I'm sorry, Felicia! I shouldn't have let you go…" Eric kept apologizing.

I remained silent.

Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed me. "If you regret this, it's not too late. I can stage a fake death for you so you can go abroad and lay low.

"Your father might be furious at first, but after some time, he won't pursue it…"

It was time to board.

I shook off his hand and, dragging my luggage, walked up the boarding gate steps without looking back.

Behind me, Eric's voice called out, "Felicia, safe travels!"

…

Third view:

Eric stood there, frozen, until that familiar figure completely disappeared.

A sharp, stabbing pain hit him. He clutched his chest tightly, feeling as if something essential was suddenly missing.

Felicia's behavior had been unusual.

She had come to the airport alone and hadn't said a single word to him before leaving.

Eric slumped into the car, holding his head, his heart full of endless regret.

If he had only tried harder to fight for her, perhaps she wouldn't have had to go to Entogow for the marriage alliance.

It seemed she was still blaming him.

But what could I do?

Nicole had been his childhood sweetheart, the girl he had sworn to marry when they were young.

Moreover, the Hudson and Chapman families had long agreed that they were destined to wed.

Thinking of this, Eric instinctively checked his phone.

Today was supposed to be his wedding with Nicole, yet they hadn't contacted each other all morning.

Perhaps she was busy with her makeup, he reasoned.

That thought brought him some relief.

After all, it was a marriage alliance between the Hudson and Chapman families, so the wedding was naturally grand.

The wedding was held at a five-star hotel.

Members of the Hudson and Chapman families, along with their friends and relatives, added up to several thousand guests.

As the joyful "Wedding March" played, Keith escorted the smiling bride down the aisle.

Dressed in a flowing white gown, the bride looked angelic as she slowly walked toward Eric.