Chapter 4

That wasn't just talk.

In the six months since Georgina came back, Daniel put her first in everything.

Various dinners, picking her up and dropping her off from work—every single time we'd fight because of her.

But nothing ever got resolved. We'd make up in a muddle, then start fighting about Georgina again.

Every time we fought, Daniel would threaten not to marry me. The constant back and forth had long since exhausted all my expectations.

But people are like that—they don't turn back until they hit a wall.

I couldn't completely let go of my eight years with Daniel.

So I agreed to the checkup, and that's when the breast cancer was discovered.

"Elliot, tell me—if a woman doesn't have breasts, what's the difference between her and a man?"

Georgina's words interrupted my memories.

She covered her mouth as she laughed, triumph in her smiling eyes.

"If I were you, I wouldn't even want to live... Daniel even said..."

I clenched my fists. "Get out!"

I didn't want to hear another word from Georgina.

After pushing her out, I slid down against the door and sat on the floor.

That powerless, painful feeling spread through my chest like vines, as if someone was strangling my neck. I could barely breathe.

Eight years. I'd wasted eight years.

Perhaps because of my excessive grief, I developed a high fever that night.

I pressed ice packs to my body and head, but nothing worked.

With no other choice, I knocked on Daniel's door.

"I think I have a fever..."

Before I could finish, I collapsed into Daniel's arms.

Daniel panicked and tried to call for an ambulance, but Georgina stopped him.

"Don't call!"

"If she goes to the hospital now, they'll definitely give her an IV. Once she's on medication, the surgery the day after tomorrow will be ruined!"

Daniel was caught in a dilemma. "Then what do we do? We can't just let her burn up!"

Georgina took a deep breath. "Put her in the bathtub. Soaking overnight will bring down the fever."

I struggled to maintain consciousness, begging Daniel to take me to the hospital.

"Daniel... I need... to go to the hospital... Please, take me to the hospital..."

Georgina shook her head at him. "No."

Daniel glanced at Georgina, bit his lip, and said to her, "Okay, go run the water."

Whatever faint hope I'd been harboring died completely in that moment.

For the sake of Georgina completing her surgery, my life meant nothing to Daniel.

Fortunately, my fever broke the next day.

Daniel seemed somewhat guilty. He specially made porridge for breakfast.

"Elliot, I made this especially for you."

"Georgina said to eat something light today so you'll be ready for surgery tomorrow."

I glanced at it indifferently, then tossed it straight into the trash.

All day, I didn't say a single word to Daniel.

Not until I got up in the middle of the night for water and heard Daniel's voice coming through the door crack.

"I know, I know."

"After her surgery is done, I'll definitely talk to her about breaking up."

"I'm only keeping her happy now so you can do the surgery, aren't I? Okay, okay, don't be angry..."

I wasn't surprised by what Daniel said. Instead, I felt strangely relieved.

That night, I sat in the living room until dawn.

When Daniel discovered me, he took a surprised step back.

"Why are you up so early?"

I stood up. "Waiting for you two, to go to the hospital for surgery."

"Didn't you say once the surgery's done, we can get our license?"

"Daniel, I've thought it through."

Daniel seemed surprised, unable to hide his happiness.

Last night he'd been worried I'd make a scene at the hospital and the surgery couldn't proceed smoothly. Now it seemed everything was going perfectly.

Daniel took Georgina and me to the hospital.

Georgina busied herself with pre-surgery preparations while Daniel waited outside my hospital room.

"I'm going to change clothes first."

Daniel was very reassured and didn't follow.

I followed the medical staff to the changing room, and taking advantage of the crowd, turned around and walked out.

Following the flow of people, I took the elevator out of the inpatient building.

"To the airport." I got in a car and left the hospital.

Meanwhile, Daniel sat in the hospital room waiting for a long time without seeing anyone return. Worried, he got up to look.

"Where's Elliot? Wasn't she changing clothes?"

The medical staff frowned. "She changed and came out ages ago."

Daniel broke out in a cold sweat. He searched the entire inpatient building without finding any trace of me.

All his calls were rejected.

Daniel completely panicked. Just then, his phone rang.

When Daniel saw who it was, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Elliot, did you get lost?"

"Where are you? I'll come get you..."

"I'm at the airport. Daniel, let's break up."