Chapter 2

Ethan Hayes frowned when he heard my formal, cold greeting. He looked at me with deep suspicion and guardedness, clearly thinking this was another one of my games. He kept his chin high, his posture arrogant.

"The stairs incident... I admit I have some responsibility. I'm here to apologize."

"I've already wired ten million dollars to your account. If you have any other demands, as long as they aren't ridiculous, I can meet them. But if you're trying to use this accident to force me to be with you, let me tell you right now, that is absolutely im—"

I put down the magazine, sat up, and cut him off.

"Mr. Hayes, that won't be necessary."

"You're Harper’s uncle, and what happened was just an accident. You’ve paid the compensation, and you've delivered your apology. Let’s just call it even."

Ethan stared at me, his eyes widening slightly.

It was as if he thought I had lost my mind. He had come here prepared for me to cry, scream, and hold onto his coat.

And now I was just... letting it go?

"If you don't have any other demands, I'm leaving."

I nodded, offering him a polite, professional smile.

"Thank you for visiting, Mr. Hayes. Have a safe trip back."

Ethan purposely slowed his steps. Right before he stepped out of the ward, he finally heard my voice.

"Wait, Mr. Hayes."

The tight frown on Ethan’s face instantly relaxed. When he turned back, his expression was already replaced by his usual impatience.

"Chloe, I knew you couldn't resist! Tell me, what do you want?"

I tilted my head, looking completely puzzled by his sudden outburst of anger.

"I’m sorry, but could you please close the door on your way out?"

Ethan choked on his breath, his face turning red and then pale. He never expected that the only reason I called him back was to ask him to shut the door. It was as if he was humiliated by the realization that he was actually "expecting" me to ask him for something.

Ethan slammed the door shut with a deafening bang.

"Ethan? You came to see Chlo too? The doctor said she’s recovering well, but her mem—"

Before Harper could finish her sentence, Ethan gave her a cold, dismissive glance and swept past her.

Harper rolled her eyes, pushed the door open, and walked in.

She complained to me, "Thank God you don't like him anymore. What an arrogant prick!"

"Did he bully you just now? He hasn't given you a single good look in five years. He even dumped you in the most brutal investment department to make things hard for you. I was so sick of his behavior."

Since we were on the topic, I took the opportunity to say,

"I want to resign."

"To be honest, since I woke up, I’ve looked over my current job, and I really don't like it. I probably only did it because of Ethan. But now, I want to chase my own dream."

I waved the fashion magazine in my hand toward Harper.

"The Royal College of Art."

"My application was accepted. In two weeks, I'm moving to London."

Harper froze, clearly shocked by my sudden decision.

"So sudden? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

I offered a bitter smile, not wanting to hide anything from her.

"I just decided. When I saw him earlier, my heart still ached for some reason. But I can see he doesn't love me at all. His voice was filled with disgust, and his face was so cold."

Harper quickly tried to comfort me. "No, Ethan actually cares about you. Don't make a rash decision!"

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed over to see you. Back then, all those finance study materials I gave you? He actually compiled them for you himself. And last time..."

I shook my head, my eyes calm and clear.

"Harper, it doesn't matter. I don't love him anymore."

Harper was stunned into silence.

Yes.

The Chloe who loved Ethan Hayes to death had already died when he pushed her down those stairs.

But the day before my discharge, an unexpected guest arrived in my ward, wearing a sweet, gentle smile.

I recognized her from Harper’s description. Ethan’s first love, Veronica.

"I heard you have amnesia?"