Echoes of the Past Years

Everyone called us a perfect couple. Then a young man ran onto the stage and hit Jackson. “Jackson! You liar! If you don’t love Noelle, why did you give her hope?”

People looked over. The man seemed to be a passionate admirer of Noelle, sneering with contempt in his eyes. “Remember the lab fire? She burned half her leg saving you and the scar is still there!”

Noelle lifted her skirt, showing the shocking scar. Jackson, beside her, gasped.

“That award-winning work? She did it all, working nonstop for a month before submitting it. Your academic title came from networking and pleading with officials. Jackson, your success today is because of Noelle, not you or your wife!”

The room erupted in chaos. I spoke calmly, “She was only hoping. Jackson never asked her to do it. If Noelle is using this to blackmail him, she’s trying to ruin our family and take his place!”

The man was outraged, about to speak, but Noelle held him back, crying, “Stop! Elizabeth is right. I shouldn’t have imagined things about Jackson. It was my own choice. I love without expecting anything in return.”

The man nearly cried, “Noelle, you’re too noble. Jackson doesn’t deserve you.”

Jackson spoke slowly, “Elizabeth is right. She is my only wife—always has been and always will be. Please leave and stop spreading nonsense.”

His hand was strong and his voice firm, but I noticed his arm tremble slightly. His look at Noelle showed a faint hint of confusion.

My heart ached like it had been pierced by a needle. Even though I’d decided to leave, the pain stayed. Suddenly, the crystal chandelier above crashed down with a loud noise. Screams filled the air.

I closed my eyes instinctively. Jackson pushed me away with all his strength, then darted toward Noelle.

The chandelier shattered beside me, cutting my arms and cheeks with glass. Through the pain, I could still see in the distance.

Jackson shielded Noelle under him as the chandelier hit his back. Noelle cried, still shaken, while people nearby started talking.

“Miss Noelle only scraped her knee. Mr. Kain, did you really need so much effort to save her?”

“Your wife is bleeding badly; she could die without treatment!”

Before I passed out, I saw Jackson pick up Noelle and carry her away, out of sight. When I woke, I was in a hospital bed. Nurses were whispering outside the door.

“Did you hear? Mr. Kain broke his back saving Miss Ferguson!”

“That’s right! He wasn’t fully healed, yet he rushed to treat Miss Ferguson and feed her soup. His wife doesn’t even get this care!”

“Tsk, he and Miss Ferguson are true love; a perfect match, that’s why they’re a couple.”

It took a long time before Jackson finally came to my room.