Chapter 11

For an entire month, I acted as though Ethan didn't exist.

Friends tried to intervene. His parents begged me to listen. But I shut them all out.

Eventually, I couldn't keep it inside anymore. I printed out everything Luna had sent me, the messages, the photos, all the evidence, and shoved it into his hands.

"Ethan, can we at least end this with some dignity?"

"How am I supposed to forgive you? How am I supposed to live with the memories of you and her for the past four years? Do you really think I'm that pathetic? That I deserve this?"

He crumbled in front of me, his face contorting with desperation. He dropped to his knees and slapped himself like a man on the edge of sanity.

Then Luna showed up, begging too, all crocodile tears and desperation. She tried to play the victim, pushing her child into my arms and running off, sobbing.

"Please, Sophia. You have to get back with Ethan. This child won't survive without a father."

She thought I'd break. She thought the compassion I had for my patients would somehow extend to her and her mess.

But I didn't soften. I set the child down on the sidewalk and walked away, not even sparing them a second glance.

Expecting me to feel sympathy? It was laughable.

The hospital offered me a training opportunity in Capital City.

When I returned, I'd be promoted to Chief Physician. I accepted without hesitation.

On the day I was leaving, Ethan chased me all the way to the airport.

He tried to smile, but it faltered, like everything about him was broken.

"Sophia… are you leaving just to escape me? Do you hate me that much? But I love you. Luna lied to me. You're the only one I've ever loved!"

"I've thought a lot about everything. I know I've made terrible mistakes. Just give me one chance, for the sake of what we once had. Please don't throw us away. I can't bear to lose you."

"What can I do to earn your forgiveness? I'll do anything. Just don't leave me. Please."

Once upon a time, we had been so deeply in love that everyone around us envied us. Now look at us.

Was I the one throwing it all away? Or was it him, slowly destroying everything we built, piece by piece?

The moment Luna got pregnant, Ethan should've known, the cracks between us could never be repaired.

I'd warned him. I'd said I wouldn't tolerate betrayal. I'd rather walk away than live in humiliation.

But he hadn't listened.

I shook my head as I watched a plane take off into the sky.

"Ethan, you were the one who gave up first. What right do you have to blame me? Our years together meant less to you than a fleeting thrill. I've already accepted defeat. Why won't you let me go?"

"You have your path, and I have my freedom. Isn't that better?"