Chapter 4

The plane took off four hours later.

I boarded the plane with a high fever, and slept for over a dozen hours in my seat.

When I landed, it was already late at night.

I took a taxi directly to the hospital.

My high fever had turned into acute pneumonia.

I lay in the hospital for three days.

During these three days, Ethan didn't call or text once.

Of course. Ethan was busy being affectionate with Serena under the Northern Lights; why would he remember a greedy, insatiable liar like me?

On the day I was discharged, I made a point to see an orthopedic specialist.

My hands, frostbitten on that snow mountain years ago, had been aching more and more lately.

Especially my right hand; sometimes I couldn't even hold a water glass without it trembling.

The old specialist examined my X-rays, frowning.

"Ms. Hayes, the frostbite on your hand was too severe back then."

"Although nerve repair was done, have you not taken proper care of it these past few years? Did you often use cold water? And do heavy labor?"

I stayed silent.

Ethan was a picky eater; he'd only eat vegetables I'd washed and cut myself.

He was a germaphobe; his clothes had to be hand-washed.

"Now, nerve necrosis has worsened, and there's severe cartilage damage due to overuse."

The doctor sighed, putting the X-rays back in the bag.

"From now on, forget about drawing intricate designs; even lifting a heavier plastic bag will cause a tearing sensation."

"I recommend you arrange conservative treatment as soon as possible, or this hand will truly be useless."

I walked out of the hospital with the diagnosis in my hand.

I turned back to the apartment I'd lived in for three years.

Pushing open the door, a faint scent of the air freshener I'd used when cleaning before I left still lingered.

I dragged out several large cardboard boxes from under the bedroom bed and started packing.

Actually, I didn't have many things.

Most of the items in the house were Ethan's clothes.

And his favorite ornaments and the tea set he habitually used.

My belongings consisted only of a few old clothes, plus a box of design sketches I hadn't gotten around to throwing away.

The lock suddenly clicked.

Ethan walked in with Serena.

Seeing me squatting on the floor, packing boxes, Ethan paused, then frowned.

"Scarlett Hayes, what kind of drama are you stirring up now?"

He loosened his tie, habitually tossing his jacket onto the sofa, and strode to the coffee table to pour water.

"After all that hassle in Iceland, my stomach trouble flared up again. Go make me something to eat."

His tone was completely natural, as if we had never broken up, as if nothing had happened that night in Iceland.

Ethan was convinced I'd taken the money and was just throwing a tantrum.

He thought if he just asked, I'd obediently go to the kitchen and get to work.

I stopped what I was doing, stood up, and looked at him.

"There's no hot water in the kettle, and no food in the kitchen."

My voice was flat. "Also, we've broken up. I have no obligation to wait on you anymore."

Ethan's hand, pouring water, paused, and water spilled on the coffee table.

He turned, his face dark.

"Haven't you made enough of a scene? I gave you the money, what more do you want? Threatening me by leaving?"

Ethan pointed at the cardboard boxes on the floor.

"Put your things away, and I'll pretend none of this happened today."

"Serena is generous; she won't hold it against you for impersonating her. You can just stay at the company and continue to be my assistant."

Serena looked around the room, then walked to the master bedroom door and peered inside.

"Ethan, this apartment is so small."

She turned, smiling sweetly at me.

"But since Scarlett is moving out, we can just knock down the wall of the guest room to turn it into my walk-in closet."

"Finally, my bags will have a place."

I looked at this couple, talking as if I wasn't there, and my lips twitched.

"The apartment is rented, and the lease expired yesterday. I've already terminated it with the landlord."

I sealed the last strip of tape on the cardboard box.

"If you want to live here, you'll have to sign a new contract yourselves."

"Though the landlord said the rent has increased to two thousand."

Ethan's face darkened.

"Scarlett Hayes, that's enough!"

He took a few steps towards me, kicking one of the cardboard boxes.

"I admit it was my fault for not telling you Serena would be joining us in Iceland."

"But you already took a hundred thousand. What more drama are you causing?"

"Do you really think the world revolves around you?"

I looked at the gray shoe print on the box.

"Ethan Blackwood, it's been three years."

"You wouldn't even bother to find out who I really am, or what truly happened on that snow mountain."

I picked up the tote bag next to me, which contained my usual sketchbook.

"If you think I was after your money, then so be it."

I walked past Ethan towards the door.

"Stop!"

He grabbed my arm.

Ethan's gaze dropped to my black tote bag.

The zipper on the tote bag wasn't fully closed, revealing a corner of the black sketchbook inside.

Serena suddenly shrieked.

"Oh! That's my design sketch!"