Chapter 4

An hour later, my phone vibrated. It was a picture from an unknown number.

In the photo, Ethan was kneeling on the floor, holding Mia's pale foot in his hands, gently wrapping it in bandages. Her other foot was resting on his shoulder.

I stared at the screen, my grip tightening on the phone until my knuckles turned white.

I knew that posture so well. He used to kneel before me exactly like that, tending to my wounds with the utmost care.

Now...

A wave of nausea hit me.

But the real insult came later that evening. Ethan actually brought Mia back to our apartment without even asking me.

As he carried her past me, he tossed a cold explanation over his shoulder.

"She lives alone. She can't take care of herself right now."

I caught Mia's smug glance. Slowly, my grip on the wheelchair relaxed.

"Fine," I said quietly.

Ethan paused, his brows knitting together.

Seeing how calm I was, the veins on his forehead popped. He accidentally gripped Mia too hard, making her wince.

He turned to face me, his face dark with anger.

"Are you going to act like this now? Throwing a silent tantrum?"

I wanted to laugh.

I didn't want to explain myself anymore. I turned my wheelchair toward the bedroom.

But he grabbed the handle of my chair, stopping me.

"Chloe, stop this. I brought her here because you hurt her. I'm trying to make things right for you."

"But you shouldn't have let your jealousy make you try to ruin her legs. You—"

Before he could finish, I slapped him.

Smack!

The sharp sound echoed in the quiet living room. Ethan stared at me, completely stunned.

"When you look at my legs with disgust," I said, my voice shaking but clear, "do you forget why I lost them in the first place?"

I looked him dead in the eye, pronouncing every word.

"I lost them saving your life."

Over the past two years, no matter how much I hated my broken body, I had never thrown it in his face. I had never reminded him that I lost my legs for him.

Because I had seen him crying in the middle of the night, consumed by guilt. I didn't want to hurt him.

But now, it seemed he had forgotten.

Ethan's eyes went red. "Are you throwing that in my face now?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.

I was about to say yes.

But the front door suddenly swung open, and a deep, smooth voice interrupted us.

"Chloe, I'm here to pick you up."