Chapter 3

I thought Lucy would feel ashamed, but instead she spoke righteously: "What's wrong with me having Ryan examine me?"

"Ethan, don't assume I'm having an affair with Ryan just because you see us together."

"There's nothing between Ryan and me. If there could be something with him, would it be your turn?!"

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have been fooled by Lucy's performance.

In the past, it was precisely because Lucy always spoke about Ryan so openly that I trusted her consistently for six years.

People who didn't know the truth were already starting to criticize me along with Lucy.

"This wife so kindly ran around getting him registered and treated, but he turned around and accused his own wife of having an affair with a nurse. What a sin."

"Yeah, how does someone like that deserve such a good wife? I say they should just divorce."

I took a deep breath, not wanting to argue with Lucy in public.

But she thought I felt guilty, and with so many people supporting her, she became smug. Yet she still had to put on a show in front of everyone: "Alright, Ethan, I know you're jealous because you still love me."

"How about this—if you just apologize to Ryan, I'll take you to another nurse to get your dressing changed. How's that?"

Lucy spoke to me as if bestowing a favor.

She always relied on my love for her, pushing my boundaries further and further.

But she didn't know my boundaries had limits too.

I used to back down, but not this time.

Even Ryan put on a magnanimous act, waving his hand at me: "That's right, Ethan, just apologize to me."

Ryan's gaze was challenging as he waved his hand, and I noticed his ring and bracelet.

The ring was identical to mine, except it was engraved with his and Lucy's initials instead.

And the bracelet...

I pointed at the bracelet on Ryan's wrist in disbelief, asking Lucy with a trembling voice, "Is that the bracelet I gave you?"

The safety bracelet was left to me by my family. It had accompanied me through several fires, keeping me safe each time.

Later, when Lucy was hospitalized and the doctor said she wouldn't make it, I emptied all my savings to save her.

I even gave her the safety bracelet, hoping it would keep her safe.

But I never imagined that one day, this bracelet would end up on Ryan's wrist.

Lucy knew what the bracelet meant to me. She had once promised me that even if the sky fell, she would never lose it.

She even said that no matter where she went or what she did, she would always wear it.

But now...

Lucy froze for a moment, then reacted quickly: "That's because Ryan is a nurse. The bracelet is more useful for him."

"You've been fine so many times without it. Giving it to someone who needs it more fulfills its purpose."

Her eyes darted away: "Ethan, you understand, don't you?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I asked her, "Where's the cloak you were wearing?"

I quietly watched her momentary panic, then pointed to her neck, her arms, her thighs.

All marks that Ryan had left on her body.

"Lucy, we're done. Let's divorce."

I dropped that sentence and turned to leave the room.

I found a new doctor to change my dressing myself, then reported to my supervisor to confirm my transfer location early.

I thought things with Lucy would end quickly, but I didn't expect her to show up at my workplace.