When He Saw Me Falling Into the Water, He Refused to Save Me

As we waited in line at the clinic,Ethan finally noticed that I had been injured too.He loosened his hold on Lily for a moment,his face conflicted,but she clung tightly to him,her tear-streaked face turned upward as she sobbed pitifully.

The manager leaned closer,whispering in my ear,“Look at her—she’s really good at crying.Maybe you should try it.You need to stay strong,and now your boyfriend’s running off to comfort someone else.”

I glanced at Lily,watching her play the damsel in distress,and then noticed Ethan’s burning gaze fixed on me.His eyes were filled with anger,as if my calm demeanor irritated him.

I leaned closer to the manager,matching his whisper,“I’m not pretending.I just think it’s pathetic.”

The manager chuckled softly.“You’re not wrong.Everyone walking by can’t help but stare at them.”

I laughed too,but the humor never reached my eyes.Across from me,Ethan’s face darkened,his expression growing stormier with each passing second.

When Lily finally went in for her appointment,Ethan was forced to leave the room.He marched over,grabbing my wrist and dragging me to a quieter part of the hallway.His grip was firm,his jaw clenched.

“Cassandra,have you forgotten that you have a boyfriend?You seem pretty cozy,laughing with another man.”

I blinked at him in disbelief.“My boyfriend was just holding another woman in his arms.”

Ethan frowned,his brow furrowing deeply.“Lily’s like a sister to me.”

I gave a small,understanding nod.“And my manager is just my boss.”

He opened his mouth to argue further,but just then,my name was called for my appointment.I carefully pulled my wrist from his grasp,not wanting to aggravate my burn.Ethan,however,tightened his hold,his grip becoming painful.

I dropped my smile,my voice growing cold.“Let.Go.”

The nurse called my name again,and only then did Ethan reluctantly release me.As I passed by Lily on my way in,she bumped into me,making sure I noticed her dramatic entrance as she flung herself back into Ethan’s arms.

“Ethan,the doctor said I might have a scar.I’m so scared…”Her voice trembled,thick with tears.

I hurried into the exam room,shutting the door behind me and letting the sound of her whiny voice fade into the background.The doctor inspected my burn,and after treating it,gave me a stern warning.

“You’ve recently had a miscarriage,and your immune system is still weak.Now,with this burn,you’re at a higher risk of infection.If you develop a fever,come back immediately.”

I nodded my thanks,and as I stepped outside,I saw Ethan waiting for me.I wasn’t sure if he’d overheard the doctor or not.

He reached out to steady me.“Let me take you home.”

Before I could answer,Lily’s soft cry broke through the moment.She collapsed to the ground,her voice rising once more.“Ethan,my leg hurts so bad.I can’t walk…”

Ethan hesitated,torn between us.I sighed,stepping aside so he could make his choice easier.Without a second thought,he scooped Lily into his arms again.But this time,he glanced back at me.

“Follow us,”he instructed,as if I had any other option.

I wasn’t about to cause trouble by asking my manager for a ride.I gave him an apologetic look,and he waved me off,disappearing with a carefree smile.

Ethan placed Lily in the front passenger seat with a practiced ease,as if this had become second nature to him.Not caring much,I climbed into the backseat without protest.

It wasn’t until the car door slammed that Ethan seemed to remember I was there.He quickly offered an excuse,“Lily gets car sick.”

I rolled my eyes at the cheap lie.How convenient.

Lily tugged on his sleeve,her voice soft and pleading.“Ethan,can you recline the seat for me?I’m still feeling dizzy…”

She turned to me with wide,innocent eyes.“You don’t mind,do you,Cassandra?”

Her act was nauseating,but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.Without a word,I shifted further back,away from the conversation.Ethan leaned over,adjusting her seat as she practically melted into him,their proximity far too intimate for comfort.

I turned my head to the window,closing my eyes to shut out the sight.Out of sight,out of mind—or so I hoped.But the ache in my chest only grew heavier with every passing mile.