Chapter 2

Natalie's POV

Vivian was successfully resuscitated.

Actually, the wound wasn't deep. The doctor said it only broke the surface skin and didn't even need stitches, just bandaging.

But Ethan acted as if it were a matter of life and death. He insisted on arranging the highest-level VIP room for her and stayed by her side every moment.

I pulled out the IV needle and, supporting my weak body, shuffled step by step to the VIP room entrance.

The door was ajar.

The voices inside clearly hammered into my ears.

"Ethan, I'm sorry... I've caused you trouble again."

Vivian leaned against the headboard, her eyes red and rimmed with tears that fell like broken pearls.

"I was just so scared. The sound of thunder made me feel like the whole world had abandoned me. I know yesterday was your anniversary with Natalie. I shouldn't have bothered you. You should go back. Natalie must be angry with me..."

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she became, clutching the blanket, her thin shoulders shaking.

Ethan sat by the bed and gently reached up to wipe away her tears, his movements so tender they could drip water.

"Don't overthink it."

He softened his voice, his tone full of indulgence and heartache.

"Whether she's angry or not doesn't matter. Your health is what's most important. Don't ever do something this foolish again, understand?"

"But Natalie..."

"Don't worry about her."

Ethan frowned, a flash of disgust in his eyes.

"If she doesn't even have this much tolerance, she doesn't deserve to sit in the position of Mrs. Shaw."

I stood outside the door, feeling as if all the blood had been drained from my body in an instant.

Doesn't deserve.

So in my husband's heart, I didn't even have the right to be angry. If I didn't accommodate Vivian, I lacked tolerance and didn't deserve my position.

I took a deep breath and suddenly pushed open the ajar door.

"Bang!"

The two people in the room simultaneously turned their heads.

Vivian shrank into Ethan's arms like a startled deer, her voice trembling as she called out.

"Natalie..."

Ethan's face instantly darkened. He immediately used his body to shield Vivian, as if protecting a rare treasure, and looked at me coldly.

"What are you doing here?"

His gaze landed on my face but didn't linger for half a second, only filled with questioning.

"Who told you to find this place?"

"This is a hospital. Why can't I be here?"

I pulled at my dry, cracked lips and smiled.

"Ethan, I'm your wife. Can't I come visit your 'little sister'?"

I deliberately emphasized the words "little sister."

Ethan's brow furrowed even tighter. He stood up, strode over to me, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me toward the door.

"Natalie, stop being disgusting! Vivian just suffered a shock and can't handle your attitude. Get out of here right now!"

His grip was extremely strong. Already weak, I stumbled when he yanked me, and my knee slammed hard into the door frame.

Piercing pain.

But I didn't cry out. I just stared at the man in front of me.

"Ethan, I had acute gastric bleeding last night. I was alone in the emergency room on an IV all night."

My voice was very soft.

"When you were holding her and shouting for help, did you ever think that your wife was also dying from pain?"

Ethan froze for a moment.

His gaze unconsciously fell on the back of my hand.

There was indeed a bruise there, left from when I'd pulled out the IV needle.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by irritation.

"You're standing right here, aren't you?"

His face was cold, his voice stiff.

"A stomachache. Just take some medicine. Did you have to come here at this moment to play the victim in front of Vivian? Natalie, you weren't this petty before."

Petty? Playing the victim?

I suddenly felt the absurdity of it all.

I burst out laughing, laughing until tears came out.

"Yes, I'm petty. I'm playing the victim. Vivian barely scratches her skin and it's life or death, but my gastric bleeding is my own fault, right?" I forcefully shook off Ethan's hand and took a step back.

"Ethan, you disgust me."

With that, I turned and walked away, my spine straight.

But only I knew that my heart had shattered into powder at this moment.

Ethan instinctively took a step forward, as if wanting to grab me.

"Ethan..."

Vivian on the bed suddenly clutched her chest and let out a pained moan.

"My chest hurts so much..."

Ethan immediately stopped and rushed back to the bed.

"Doctor! Get a doctor here immediately!"

In the corridor, I listened to the anxious shouts behind me, and tears silently fell from the corners of my eyes.

This round, I lost again.

And I lost completely.