Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at the sterile, white ceiling of a hospital.

"You're awake?"

A familiar voice sounded beside the bed.

Ethan was sitting in the chair next to me. Seeing me open my eyes, he immediately leaned forward and helped me sit up.

"Thank god Martha found you in time. You were in critical condition. The doctor said if you'd been brought in just a few minutes later, you might have..."

Ethan paused, leaving the sentence unfinished.

Then he sighed and started blaming me.

"I mean, you know you have a severe spinach allergy. Why did you insist on having Martha cook it for every single meal?"

Weakly leaning against the pillows, I glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was October 5th, 3:50 PM.

Good. I hadn't missed tomorrow's flight.

I looked at him coldly and replied, "Because you like eating it. That's why I ordered her to make it every day."

Ethan froze.

Clearly, he hadn't expected that answer.

A smug smile crept onto his face, and his tone softened.

"You don't have to do that anymore. What if you eat it by mistake? It's too dangerous!"

"As for last night, I already lectured Maya. She promised me she would never do it again. She was actually terrified after you passed out. Try to be understanding, Chloe. She is a patient, after all."

I said nothing, silently watching him put on his little show.

My heart was as still as a graveyard.

When Ethan's fingertips almost brushed the back of my hand, I flinched away.

He didn't seem to care.

After a brief hesitation, he spoke up again.

"There's one more thing... Maya said she wants to wear the wedding dress for our ceremony tomorrow. Keeping her happy will help with her recovery. As for the officiant, the venue, and the catering we discussed..."

"Since you were unconscious, I went ahead and finalized all of it with Maya this morning. So, can we move the wedding up a bit? How about tomorrow?"

I gave a faint nod, showing no real reaction.

I just wanted him to leave so I could rest.

But suddenly, the hospital door was violently kicked open.

Before I could process what was happening, Maya stormed in, leading a group of men.

She pointed a finger at me and screamed:

"That's the bitch!"

"Even in a hospital bed, she's still trying to seduce Ethan! Cure her for me! I'll pay you whatever you want!"

Confused, I instinctively grabbed Ethan's arm.

Even Ethan was caught off guard for a second.

"Maya, what are you doing? Who are these people?"

Maya didn't answer him.

Instead, she grabbed the collar of my hospital gown and dragged me off the bed, snarling, "The people who are going to cure this bitch of her sickness!"

Immediately, the men behind her pinned me down and began dragging me out of the room.

Finally, Ethan panicked.

He grabbed Maya's hand, demanding, "Where are you taking Chloe? I'm warning you, don't cross the line!"

Maya glared at my struggling figure.

Then, she turned to Ethan, her face instantly melting into a sweet, innocent expression.

"Ethan, don't worry. I just want some alone time with Chloe to personally apologize to her. I was too impulsive yesterday, and I really regret it."

"I promise, I'll return her to you safe and sound tomorrow morning! I swear!"

I didn't believe a single word coming out of her mouth.

I screamed at Ethan with all my might, "Don't believe her! She almost killed me with that spinach! If she takes me, god knows how she'll torture me!"

"Ethan, don't let her take me! Please, save me!"

Ethan looked conflicted.

After a long moment, he turned to Maya to confirm.

"You won't hurt Chloe, right?"

"This is the last time. Once we have the wedding, you are not allowed to act up again."

Hearing this, my heart turned to ice.

Maya nodded obediently.

I stared at Ethan in absolute disbelief.

"Are you insane, Ethan? She's going to torture me! She'll kill me!"

"Ethan, I'm begging you! For the sake of our seven years together! For the sake of me almost dying last night! Don't let them take me! Please, save me!"

Ethan heard my desperate, agonizing pleas, but he only gave me a deep look.

"I'll pick Chloe up tomorrow morning for her makeup."

With that, Ethan turned his back on me.

I opened my mouth to scream for help from the hospital staff, but Maya was too fast. She stuffed a dirty rag into my mouth.

The men were dressed in white lab coats, making them look like medical staff.

Just like that, they dragged me away.

I struggled with every ounce of strength I had, catching one last glimpse of the hospital room.

Just like in the bridal boutique.

Ethan didn't chase after me.