He Destroyed the Tenderly Nurtured Rose by His Own Hands

On the day I was expelled from school, my seniors and mentors gathered around my hospital bed, cursing Ethan.

"What kind of person is Ethan? He's blinded by desire and has turned right and wrong upside down," one said.

"Exactly! If he hadn't held a press conference for Sophie under the Hunter name, we wouldn't be in this situation," another added.

Jean, one of the seniors, gently patted my head with concern. "You have so much talent in this field. With a reputation like this, what will you do in the future?"

Kyle, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up. "Emma, come abroad with me. Your talent shouldn't be buried under all this nonsense."

I bit my lip and glanced at my injured right hand, which had lost its function.

What could I possibly do at Kyle's company in this condition?

Sensing my hesitation, Kyle continued, "Emma, our field relies on intellect, not just manual skills. Besides, your hand will heal; it just needs time."

His words convinced me.

I truly didn't want to give up on my research career.

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Ethan saw me return but didn't care about where I had been for the past ten days. Instead, he reprimanded me with a stern face. "Had enough fun? Are you ready to come back?"

I didn't stop walking; I silently headed upstairs.

Ethan grabbed my arm, seizing my injured wrist.

Pain shot through me, and I winced but clenched my teeth to hold back any sound.

Noticing my discomfort, he quickly released me and looked at the bandage on my wrist. "What happened to your wrist?"

"It's injured," I replied curtly, avoiding his gaze.

He immediately took hold of my other hand and started to lead me outside. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

I didn't refuse.

I was curious how he would feel if he knew that my injury was a result of his favoritism.

But halfway there, Sophie's call interrupted us.

In an instant, Ethan forgot about my injury and changed course, driving us to a hotel instead.

The floor was covered in rose petals, romantic music played softly in the background, and there stood Sophie in her veil.

Ethan smiled widely as he hurried over to embrace her, kissing her deeply. "Sophie, don't worry; once you graduate, I'll marry you."

I slipped away amidst the cheers and applause.

Alone back at the villa, I decided to sell everything Ethan had given me online.

I listed them at prices even lower than those on secondhand markets, so they sold quickly.

While Ethan took Sophie out, I evaded the house staff and shipped everything off.

On my way back home, I bought a bucket of wall paint and headed straight for the attic.

The photos that had once felt so precious now became memories sealed beneath layers of paint—each one hidden away forever.

After finishing that task, I bought fresh flowers and good wine for a final farewell at the martyr's cemetery with my father.

I leaned against his gravestone from noon until sunset until Kyle arrived to pick me up.

When we returned to the villa, Ethan still hadn't come back.

I thought he likely wouldn't return tonight.

Dragging along the already packed luggage, I placed my bank card and a farewell letter on the table before turning to leave the house where I had lived for nine years.

Goodbye, Ethan.