I instinctively tried to move my legs, only to despairingly discover I truly had no sensation.

I would never walk again for the rest of my life.

I turned my head and met Ethan's bloodshot eyes.

His eye sockets were red-rimmed, with heavy dark circles underneath, as if he'd been keeping vigil for days and nights.

Seeing me awake, he wept with joy, scalding tears falling heavily onto the back of my hand.

"Honey, you scared me to death. Do you know you were unconscious for three days? I almost thought you were going to leave me."

His voice choked with emotion, several times too overcome to speak.

"The doctor said there was a problem with your immune system. For your health, they had to remove one kidney, and your legs... you won't be able to walk anymore."

I trembled as I reached down, but he grabbed my hand.

"Honey, don't be afraid. No matter what you become, I'll never leave you. I'll love you forever."

I had never imagined his acting skills were so exquisite.

I had seen Scarlett call him more than once, yet he ignored every call, devoting himself entirely to caring for me.

Anyone unaware of the truth would truly believe we were a loving couple.

But everything I had suffered was his gift to me.

He stayed busy until evening, finally half-kneeling beside my bed, his warm lips falling on the back of my hand.

"Honey, I know you're in pain. But your body is too weak right now. The doctor recommends you never get pregnant again in this lifetime.

But honey, don't be afraid - having you is enough for me. Besides, I found a friend who specializes in this area. At most in a year, you'll be able to become a mother."

This sentence shattered my last bit of rationality.

My child, my everything - he had destroyed it all. How could he still say these words with such peace of mind?

"Slap—"

I used all my strength to deliver this blow.

Ethan's face turned to the side from the impact, bright red fingerprints immediately appearing on his pale cheek.

The air froze.

He slowly turned his face back, emotions I couldn't read churning in his eyes.

Just when I thought I would face his fury, he suddenly grabbed my stinging hand and reverently kissed my palm.

That kiss was scalding and moist, carrying an almost pathological obsession.

His trembling lips repeatedly caressed the lines of my palm, as if repenting, or drawing some kind of strength.

"Hit me a few more times."

He pressed my reddened palm against his face.

"I know you're hurting, honey. I'm willing to let you hit me until you feel better."

I coldly withdrew my hand, watching his bewildered expression, speaking each word clearly.

"Ethan, we're finished."

This sentence came too suddenly. I could see a flash of confusion quickly pass through his eyes.

But immediately after, he smiled helplessly.

"Honey, I know you're angry. But you can't joke about divorce. You know I can't live without you. How can you say such things to break your mate's heart?"

Knowing I didn't want him to touch me, he lifted his hand to cover the IV tube, his voice gentle.

"There's only one day left until our fifth anniversary. Honey, you need to get better quickly. I've prepared a huge surprise for you."

I laughed coldly.

A surprise to ruin my reputation? That would indeed be huge.

"What a coincidence. I've also prepared a big gift for you."

A gift he would absolutely love.

"Sell all my shares in territory of the Blackwood pack now."

Initially, to demonstrate his love for me, Ethan had specifically transferred half of his territory to my name.

Originally, I had planned to inherit my legacy first and then find buyers, but Ethan had beaten me to it by bringing me to the hospital.

His actions had left me so disturbed that I lost consciousness until the third day.

The Beta paused for a moment.

"Selling now would result in a 60% loss."

"I don't care if they become worthless."

After finalizing that, I pulled out the mate bond severance papers I had already had drafted.

After giving the signed mate bond severance agreement to the Beta, the hospital room door was suddenly kicked open violently.

Scarlett strutted in wearing high heels, her lips curving into that familiar arc that made my heart tremble.

"Well, if it isn't our little scholar? How did you become so pathetic again?"

"Where's your savior? Oh my, could it be that you discovered your savior wasn't actually a savior, so you got too excited and couldn't handle it?"

I jerked my head up.

"You did it on purpose?"

I suddenly thought of that corridor by the study.

Everything clicked into place.

Of course, how could it be such a coincidence that I would overhear just by passing by?

She had deliberately let me hear everything!

Scarlett's lips curved upward, smiling with delight.

"You're not completely stupid after all. But so what if you figured it out? With no child, no legs, and now even Ethan doesn't want you anymore, what do you have to fight me with?"

She suddenly leaned closer, the rich gardenia scent from her body making my temples throb.

I gripped the bedsheet tightly, my knuckles turning white.

The smell of disinfectant suddenly became piercing, mixing with that cloying gardenia fragrance from her body, reminding me of a mop bucket filled with dirty water in a restroom.

Scarlett suddenly pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her bag.

"Remember this smell? This is the same brand we shoved in your mouth back then. You surely haven't forgotten, have you."

Memory flooded back like a bursting dam.

The searing pain of cigarette butts burning my mouth, the suffocation of dirty water flooding my airways, the harsh laughter surrounding me.

My breathing became rapid, large black spots appearing before my eyes.

Her red lips curved into a malicious arc.

"Tell me, what does trash taste like? When I give birth to Ethan's child and become the legitimate Luna of Blackwood pack, I'll definitely invite you to taste it again."

The taste from memory instantly surged up my throat.

I suddenly grabbed the water glass from the bedside table.

"Get out! Get the hell out!"

The glass shattered at her feet. Scarlett screamed and suddenly fell to the ground.

"Oh, Elena, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to appear in front of you. Please don't hurt my child!"

The hospital room door was violently pushed open, and Ethan stormed in with a livid expression.

He swept up Scarlett, who was sitting collapsed on the floor, then turned to roar at me.

"Are you insane?! She's pregnant!"

Watching his anxious state, I suddenly remembered how he had rushed into that restroom during high school, carrying my soaked body out in the same way.

How ironic - the same scene, but the protagonist in his arms had changed.

Scarlett clutched his shirt collar, sobbing.

"Don't blame her, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come to apologize."

"What?"

"I wanted to apologize for bullying her in high school."

Scarlett lifted her tear-filled eyes.

"I was young and ignorant back then. I shouldn't have been so mean to you. But I was just too scared - afraid you would steal my spotlight. I'm sorry, I did terrible things back then, so even if you hit me now, I deserve it."

As she spoke, at an angle Ethan couldn't see, she flashed me the exact same malicious smile from years ago.

This smile became the final straw that broke me.

"Ahhhhh—!"

I grabbed everything within reach.

Medicine bottles, fruit, medical charts.

I hurled them frantically at them.

"Get out! All of you get out!"

Ethan shielded Scarlett as they dodged the flying objects, his expression terrifyingly dark.

"Slap!"

A sharp slap landed hard on my face. I turned my head to the side, my ears ringing.

I only heard Ethan's cold voice.

"Are you calm now? Scarlett knows how to admit her mistakes. Can't you be more mature?"

I slowly turned my head back, looking at this man I had once worshipped like a deity.

He held the architect of my torment in his arms, his hands stained with my blood, yet demanded that I be mature.

How ridiculous.

Ethan seemed stung by my gaze. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately only held Scarlett tighter and turned to leave.

My tears finally burst forth.

The sunlight outside was perfect.

I watched their retreating figures from afar, then turned to get into my Beta's car that had come to pick me up.