Chapter 8

Summer Lynn POV

"Summer?" Ethan spoke in the darkness, a trace of panic in his voice. "Say something."

No response came from the corner.

"Summer! Don't play dead on me right now!"

He took a step toward me, undisguised irritation in his tone. "Cherry has claustrophobia. What's wrong with me letting her go up first? Your turn is coming right away. Why do you still have to make me angry?"

"I'm not playing dead."

Finally, my voice came from the darkness.

Calm, weak, yet carrying a frightening emptiness.

"I just think," I leaned against the cold iron wall, slowly closing my eyes, "if this steel cable snaps right now, at least I'll have given you back the life I owe you."

Ethan fell silent for a moment.

"What are you talking about?!" He suddenly reached out his hand and grabbed my shoulder hard in the darkness. "Are you insane?!"

My entire body was trembling violently. My clothes were completely soaked with cold sweat. My body temperature had dropped to a terrifying level.

Ethan must have noticed my abnormality.

After all, he'd never seen me like this before.

Even five years ago after that fire, when I woke up in the ICU and he accused me, I'd only bitten my lip hard, my face pale. I'd never been like this. As if I were an empty shell that could shatter at any moment.

"We're pulling you up right now!"

The rescue personnel's shout came from above again. Immediately after, a second rope was thrown down.

When I left the elevator, the lights outside were so bright I couldn't open my eyes.

I was pulled out of the elevator shaft. My legs went weak and I sat directly on the corridor floor.

Medical personnel immediately surrounded me.

On the other side of the corridor, Cherry was throwing herself into Ethan's arms, crying pitifully, clutching his clothes and refusing to let go.

"Ethan, I thought I'd never see you again..."

Medical personnel were taking my blood pressure.

My face was deathly pale, but I didn't glance at Ethan even once.

"Sir, this lady has an extremely rapid heart rate with mild shock symptoms. She needs to be taken to the hospital for observation immediately." The emergency doctor turned to shout at Ethan.

Ethan's brow furrowed. He was about to push Cherry away and come over.

But Cherry suddenly hugged his waist tightly, her body trembling violently.

"Ethan, I feel so dizzy... I can't breathe..." Cherry closed her eyes and fainted directly in Ethan's arms.

"Cherry!"

Ethan's face changed dramatically. He scooped up the pretending Cherry, turned around, and rushed toward another ambulance parked outside the club entrance.

I sat on the ground, watching Ethan's back as he ran wildly holding Cherry.

When facing danger, he chose someone else.

After the danger passed, he still chose someone else without hesitation.

The doctor beside me urged anxiously, "Miss, where is your family? Have him accompany you in this ambulance!"

"I don't have any family." I withdrew my gaze, my voice calm.

"I'll go by myself."

I pushed away the nurse's outstretched hand, supported myself against the wall, slowly stood up, and walked onto the ambulance alone.

In the emergency room at the hospital.

After finishing my IV drip, it was already late at night.

I didn't notify anyone. I removed the needle myself, took a cab, and returned to the villa.

The villa was still pitch dark.

Ethan would definitely spend tonight at the hospital watching over his Cherry.

I didn't turn on the lights.

I opened my computer and logged into my personal bank account.

I returned all the money Ethan had transferred to me over these five years.

A full five million dollars was transferred back to Ethan's private account.

In the refund note, there was only one simple sentence: "We have no relationship from now on."

After finishing all this, I closed the computer and walked to the bed.

I took out my phone. The screen lit up, reflecting my pale face.

I opened my calendar and glanced at the date.

I calmly turned off my phone, lay down on the cold bed, and closed my eyes.

I didn't suffer from insomnia.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, I got up to pack my luggage.

After packing, I placed the already-printed divorce agreement on the table.

I removed my wedding ring and gently pressed it on the signature line of the agreement.

I dragged my suitcase and walked out of the villa.

The cold early autumn wind hit my face, blowing away the last trace of the oppressive atmosphere from this house that clung to me.

A taxi I'd reserved was already waiting outside the door.

The driver got out and helped me put my suitcase in the trunk.

The car slowly started up, heading toward the airport.

I turned off my phone and wearily closed my eyes.

"Please drive faster."