Chapter 6

Joanna's POV

Ethan looked panicked.

My eyes held genuine confusion.

Ethan didn't dare meet my gaze.

I hobbled toward the exit on my crutch.

The cold morning light fell on my back. I still kept my spine straight.

He seemed very uncomfortable.

"Joanna."

He caught up and bent down to pick me up.

I didn't struggle, but I didn't lean against him either. I just let myself be carried quietly, like a piece of luggage.

In the car, he fastened my seatbelt. When his fingers touched me, I pulled away.

Ethan gripped the steering wheel in silence for a long time, then spoke. "Joanna, let's get married."

His tone became firm. "Let's get married."

The car was instantly very quiet.

I turned my head to look at him.

"Didn't you always say marriage was too early?" I said softly. "You said you really liked our current situation."

Ethan's voice was hoarse. "We've been together five years. We'll get married sooner or later. Why not... right now."

I looked at the barely concealed tension in his eyes and suddenly found it amusing.

This expression had appeared on my face constantly over five years.

I'd tested him countless times. He always had reasons to refuse: too busy, evaluation period, let's wait a bit longer.

Now that I didn't care anymore, he was suddenly anxious.

That desperate look was almost like he was trying to forcibly lock me up with a marriage certificate.

I didn't answer.

We rode in silence all the way home. I went upstairs. Ethan sat motionless on the sofa.

My ankle throbbed with dull pain. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes.

Before long, the sound of the door closing and an engine starting came from downstairs.

He went to find Grace.

An expected development. Not worth losing sleep over.

The next day, I called the dance company to request leave.

I'd already submitted my resignation anyway.

Only three days left before I left.

After sleeping, I went downstairs. Grace was sitting there eating pasta Ethan had cooked.

"Morning." Grace smiled at me, her manner like the master of this house.

Ethan came out of the kitchen, his tone ingratiating. "Nice weather today. Why don't the three of us go out for some fresh air?"

I thought about it.

"Okay."

In the park.

Grace held Ethan's arm, chatting about their experiences abroad, laughing and patting his shoulder.

I walked behind on my crutch, looking at the roadside flowers, looking at the clouds in the sky.

No one turned around to tell me to catch up.

I didn't need them to.

When we reached the lake, Grace sat on a bench.

I stood at the lakeshore, watching fallen leaves on the water's surface.

Grace walked over, her voice very soft. "Joanna, if there was danger, who do you think Ethan would save first?"

Before I could respond, the sharp sound of an out-of-control bicycle came from behind.

The bike headed straight toward the two people by the lake.

Grace screamed.

With my foot injury, I had no time to dodge at all.

The bike grazed past me. I lost my balance and fell backward.

In that second of falling, I saw Ethan rush over.

His arms caught Grace securely.

Grace curled up in his embrace.

Then I fell into the icy lake water.

Through the rippling water, I saw two people embracing tightly on the shore.

Grace was buried in Ethan's arms. He held her shoulders tightly.

I kept my eyes open underwater. The cast became heavy with water. My ankle throbbed with a dull ache.

I thought to myself, I won't have any more expectations of Ethan.