Chapter 5

Natalie's POV

When Ethan entered the hospital room, he slammed the door hard.

He walked to the bed, his voice forced low. "What do you mean, I won't be your husband soon?"

I'd just woken up. My throat still hurt. I didn't answer immediately.

Ethan leaned down and gripped the bed rail, his knuckles white. "Natalie, do you think you can leave me? We have a marriage. We have that accident between us. Do you think our relationship can end so easily?"

I looked at him. "If you hate me so much, why did you have the doctor save me just now?"

Ethan's eyes darkened.

My voice was soft. "You could have let me die in the experience chamber. That way you'd never have to see me again, and Vivian wouldn't be upset by me anymore."

"Die?" Ethan seemed stung by that word, his face suddenly ugly. "You think too lightly. If you die, will Melissa come back? If you die, will the consequences your family left behind disappear?"

I smiled faintly. "So you saved me to keep me alive and suffering."

Ethan didn't deny it.

A nurse came outside, saying Vivian's chest hurt again and she wanted to see Ethan.

I looked at his profile and suddenly asked, "If Vivian and I both stood before you, would you always choose her first?"

Ethan frowned. "That kind of question is meaningless."

"It's meaningful." I raised my eyes. "Just now outside the experience chamber, the doctor said I was in greater danger, but you still got in her ambulance. Ethan, every time, you know exactly who you're choosing."

Ethan said nothing.

The nurse urged him again from outside.

Ethan's hesitation was crushed. He said coldly, "Vivian has endured Melissa's old injuries to live until today. I can't ignore her. You saved me, but what you owe Melissa can't be covered by one act of saving a life."

I went quiet.

I nodded. "I understand now."

Ethan looked at me like this, his expression growing even colder. "Get up. Go apologize to Vivian."

The nurse tried to intervene. "Mr. Ethan, Miss Natalie just woke up. Her body still hasn't-"

"If she can talk, she can apologize." Ethan cut her off.

I was wheeled to Vivian's hospital room door. Vivian leaned against the bed, her face pale. When she saw me enter, she first glanced at Ethan, and her eyes immediately reddened.

I spoke. "I apologize for what happened at the memorial service."

My words were brief. I offered no explanation.

But Vivian gently shook her head. "Natalie, one apology can't make up for your sins. You ruined Melissa's memorial service. When I close my eyes, all I see is her waiting for rescue that never came."

Ethan looked at her. "What else do you want her to do?"

Vivian said quietly, "Tomorrow, let's go to the old accident site. Hand over Sebastian's materials to the hall for archiving. And let Natalie admit that her father's decision back then truly harmed Melissa."

Ethan didn't speak immediately.

Vivian saw his hesitation, and tears fell. "If she won't even do this, I'll think about today every single moment from now on."

Ethan looked at me. "You must go. And Sebastian's materials. They don't need to go into any archive in the future."

My fingertips went cold.

Finally, I said, "I'll go."

After returning to the hospital room, I didn't sleep all night.

Adrian sent a message saying I could leave in a few days. The residence in New York was confirmed.

After reading it, I put my phone on the pillow.

I began organizing what I could take with me. Besides these things, I only had an old key and a backup authorization card for Sebastian's memorial project.

The old key was what Ethan gave me years ago. He said no matter what happened, that would always be my home.

I put the key in the bedside drawer and kept only the authorization card in my pocket.

The next day, I was taken to the old accident site.

Several family members had come. The hall staff were also there. Ethan stood at the front with Vivian. Vivian held Melissa's old belongings, as if she were the only victim in this old case.

The hall staff asked me to step forward.

I held Sebastian's materials but didn't release them immediately.

Vivian spoke publicly. "Natalie, today isn't for you to cause trouble. The family of the one who caused harm should know their place."

Someone quietly echoed, "Sebastian did save people, but it's also true that their father caused deaths."

I looked at Ethan.

Ethan avoided my gaze, only saying, "Hand over the materials."

I gave the materials to the hall staff.

The staff member took them and placed them in an ordinary archive box.

My brother's name was completely removed from the main memorial area.

My phone vibrated then.

Adrian sent a message: "Leave in three days."

I stood at the back of the crowd, clutching that message in my palm.