Chapter 5

Even after we got back to Chicago, Scott didn't cancel the wedding preparations.

When his mother, Paula, called me, her voice was cold but wrapped in polite condescension.

"Elly, Scott told me you've been stressed lately."

"We understand you're grieving, but a wedding is a family merger. It’s not just about you."

I asked quietly:

"If Aurora agreed to marry Scott today, would you still want me to walk through your doors, Paula?"

The line went dead silent for a moment before Paula's voice sharpened.

"Elly, watch your mouth."

I laughed softly. "Does the truth hurt that much?"

Paula clearly didn't expect me to talk back. Her polite facade shattered completely.

"Do you seriously think Scott can't find anyone else?"

"Let me tell you something. The only reason the Franklin family accepted you is because you were quiet and obedient."

"If you keep acting up like this, you’re the only one who’s going to end up embarrassed."

"Then let’s be embarrassed together."

I hung up.

That night, I packed all my documents into a folder.

My ID, my medical license, my physical exam reports—everything was ready.

My colleague, Cole, walked past my desk and stopped when he saw the paperwork.

"Are you really going through with the International Medical Relief deployment?"

Cole was an ER attending. He was two years older than me, a man of few words but incredibly steady and reliable.

I nodded. "The roster is being finalized."

He frowned slightly. "The conditions out there are much harsher than you think."

"I know. But staying here is worse."

Cole didn't try to change my mind. Instead, he reached into his white coat, pulled out a box of cold medicine, and placed it on my desk.

"Supplies are limited over there. Getting sick is a nightmare. Keep this with you."

I blinked, surprised. "Thank you, Dr. Cole."

He looked at me. "Don't be so formal."

Once the official deployment list was posted, the hospital arranged for us to leave for pre-deployment training immediately.

I didn't tell a soul.

On the morning of my departure, the sky was a dusty gray.

As I rolled my suitcase into O'Hare Airport, a text from Scott popped up.

【I rescheduled the bridal shoot. You can choose whatever style you want this time. I'll listen to you.】

I shut off my screen and didn't reply.

As the plane lifted off, I took one last look at the Chicago skyline below.

This city held too many of my humiliations, and the ghost of a man I once thought I'd spend forever with.

Now, it was all left beneath the clouds.

The day after I left, Scott went to the hospital to find me.

His car was parked by the curb, the backseat filled with new bridal catalogs.

Sensing my usual delay, he finally lost his patience and called my phone.

Still, no answer.

Frowning, he walked into the ER lobby and stopped at the front desk.

"Hi, could you page Elly from the ER? I'm here to pick her up for a wedding appointment."

The nurse blinked. "Dr. Elly?"

"Yes, her."

Scott’s tone was casual, as if speaking of something entirely routine.

"She’s throwing a bit of a tantrum and isn't picking up her phone. Just tell her I'm waiting downstairs."

The nurse’s expression turned incredibly strange.

A younger resident doctor nearby looked up at him.

"Who are you to Dr. Elly?"

Scott’s brow furrowed.

"I’m her fiancé."

The resident fell silent for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.

"You don't know? Dr. Elly is gone."

Scott froze. "What do you mean, gone?"

"The International Medical Relief team left yesterday. She was in the first wave of volunteers."

It felt like the air was instantly sucked out of the room.

The bridal catalogs in Scott’s hand slipped, clattering loudly onto the polished floor.

But he didn't even notice.

After a long pause, his throat tightened, his voice cracking.

"What did you just say?"