Light Fades on a Lost Love

After a moment, Ethan finally looked up and saw me. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes as he subtly pulled away from Chloe.

I forced down the chaos in my chest and gave Peanut a quick check. "He's just unconscious for now, but he'll be fine."

With that, I swiftly turned and headed over to the pantry.

The highly intense work and lack of sleep made my head spin, and I could feel myself tipping backward.

Ethan caught me just in time and gave me a look of worry. "Did you not get enough rest last night? Come sit down a bit."

I didn't answer because my mind was still stuck on the lucky charm found on Chloe's bracelet, which I'd given to Ethan.

There had been a time when he'd had so much on his mind that he couldn't sleep, and I'd always catch him frowning.

So, I'd gone to a church and prayed on my knees, just to get him that lucky charm that could calm his mind.

He'd told me it was proof of my love and promised he'd wear it for life. But now, he'd taken it off and handed it over to someone else.

"Ethan, Peanut's awake!" When Chloe came running over, her eyes were bright with relief.

Ethan couldn't bother to spare me another glance as he let go of me and followed her into the ward.

I sank to the floor right there, feeling utterly pathetic.

He had once promised he'd never let me go or leave me behind. But the truth was that he'd never hesitate to leave and didn't bother to spare me a single glance.

When I calmed down, I dragged myself to the door, only to see them huddled together like a perfect family.

Kids who were Peanut's age couldn't keep anything to themselves.

"Daddy, I'm sorry I made you worry. I just wanted to see your wedding photo with Mommy, so I ran a little too fast and didn't notice the racing car."

Hearing that, my heart twisted so tight I could barely breathe. Then, I watched as Chloe pulled out a photo and handed it to him.

"It's fine—I picked it up. Just promise us that you won't run off like that again. You gave us one hell of a fright."

Through the glass, I could see it clearly. In the photo, Chloe was in a white gown with her arm hooked around Ethan's while Peanut held a bouquet and stood between them.

I had a rough idea of when they took the wedding photo.

Two months ago, I was held hostage by an HIV patient who stabbed me in the arm with a used needle. After the incident, I popped emergency meds right away, but still felt terrified.

Shaking, I called Ethan over and over, but he never picked up. I sat crying on the bathroom floor the whole night, but never received a single call back.

Apparently, he was busy taking wedding photos with Chloe.

As I snapped out of my thoughts, I could taste blood from biting my lip raw.

It just so happened that it was time for a bandage change, and the nurse approached with a tray of medical supplies. So, I followed her in.

When Ethan looked up and met my eyes, he panickedly stuffed the wedding photo into his pocket.

"My head's killing me. I didn't sleep a wink last night," Chloe said from the couch as she rubbed her temples.

Peanut tugged at Ethan's hand and innocently said, "Daddy, give Mommy a massage! She's always so happy when you do it!"

Ethan's face paled at his words.

He'd been working long hours hunched over a desk for years, so I'd secretly learned massage techniques from the rehab nurses just to help him relax at home.

So, it seemed that he'd conveniently applied what I'd done for him to take care of someone else.

My nose stung as I forced back my tears.

Noticing my low spirits, Ethan tried to explain. "It's not what you think, Megan…"

Peanut turned to me and curiously asked, "Who is she, Daddy?"

Seeing Ethan look torn, I let out a cold laugh and replied, "Sweetie, I'm just your dad's friend, and not even a close one."

Peanut nodded half-understandingly, while Ethan looked stunned. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but ended up not saying a word.

At lunch, I'd just settled down for a nap when he knocked on my office door and set a lunchbox on my desk. His eyes shone bright as he said, "I went home and made this myself, so try it."

If my colleagues hadn't seen him having lunch with Chloe in the cafeteria, I might have taken his words for the truth.