Chapter 17

I frowned and stepped back, just about to leave when Olivia suddenly blocked my way again.

"You told him, didn't you?!" she snapped.

"Tell him what?" I asked, confused.

"You told him I was making things hard for you! That I was causing trouble between you two! That I pushed you into the pool that time, you're the one who ratted me out, aren't you?!"

I laughed coldly. "You did all those things. What, now you're afraid people will find out?"

"I knew it!" she screamed, her voice cracking as she lunged at me.

I instinctively shielded my stomach, but then I saw her pull a knife from nowhere. She was aiming straight for me, she really was out of her mind, pushed to the brink.

"Aria!" I heard a shout, and then everything went in slow motion. The pain I expected never came.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Ethan had stepped in front of me, taking the blow meant for me. The knife plunged into his abdomen, and blood poured out. His face turned pale as he silently looked in my direction, his eyes searching for confirmation that I was okay.

His hand lifted weakly, trying to touch my face, but it fell limply to the side.

"Ethan!" I gasped, my voice choking on the panic rising in me.

But he couldn't hear me anymore.

The hospital was a blur of white. I followed behind the nurse, pushing the gurney frantically, my hands shaking, covered in his blood.

I held Ethan's hand, but it was trembling, was it me or him?

He squeezed my hand, his voice barely a whisper, "Aria, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Don't talk, just save your strength..." I urged, panic clawing at me. Every word he spoke seemed to drain more from him.

His hand shakily reached up to wipe away a tear, and my breath hitched. "Don't cry," he said softly, his voice strained. "It hurts me to see you cry."

"Stop talking!" I pleaded, my heart breaking. "Don't you dare leave me... You can't leave me... I won't allow it... do you hear me?"

"Don't let me be the reason you live with guilt..." he said, his voice fading.

He smiled weakly, "If I don't make it... start a new life... Widowhood doesn't need divorce..."

"Don't say things like that!" I shouted, my voice cracking. I was terrified, truly terrified of losing him.

Old feelings I'd buried deep inside surged back, how could I let go of someone like him? Even now, he was risking his life for me.

I thought I wanted the divorce. I thought I wanted to walk away from everything... but right now, all I wanted was for him to be okay.

Just survive this, Ethan. Then we could sign the papers and go our separate ways.

The operating room light remained on.

I sat outside, my hands still stained with his blood. It felt like time had stopped. Everything outside felt so distant.

Until Ethan's mother arrived, her face pale with worry.

"How's Ethan?" she asked, her voice shaking.

I lifted my gaze, hoarse from crying. "I don't know yet... The doctors are doing their best."

Her eyes rolled back in shock, and she nearly collapsed. I braced myself for her anger, expecting her to blame me.

But she didn't say anything. After a few moments, she composed herself and turned to me, her voice firm. "Wait here."

I didn't understand, but I did as she asked.

Moments later, I watched in stunned silence as Evelyn grabbed Olivia by the hair and dragged her toward me.

"It was you, wasn't it?" she demanded.

I nodded, my throat tight.

Evelyn slammed Olivia to the ground, fury in her eyes. "If anything happens to my son, you'll regret this for the rest of your life!"

"Auntie! Please!" Olivia cried, her voice frantic. "It's all Aria's fault! I never wanted to hurt Ethan! I just wanted to, "

Evelyn slapped her again, hard. "You think blaming Aria will save you? She's my daughter-in-law. You hurt her, I'll make sure you pay for it."

I froze, shocked by Evelyn's words. I had always thought she didn't care for me, even blamed me for Ethan's choices. But here she was, defending me, even threatening Olivia.

"Why?" Olivia cried, her voice broken. "You used to like me! What happened?"

"I was blind before," Evelyn spat, her eyes burning with rage. "I thought you were sweet, sensible. But you can't force feelings. My son doesn't love you. I can't make him. He made his choice, and I'll respect that. At least the woman he chose has a good heart. Unlike you, who's only ever caused harm."

Her voice dropped to a growl. "I know everything you've done. We didn't pursue it out of respect for your grandfather, but I never expected you to go this far. If anything happens to my son, you'll never have peace. Not in this lifetime."

Evelyn pulled out her phone, dialing Ethan's father. "Tell the James family, don't let them get away with this! This is all Olivia's doing!"