Chapter 3

He froze, his body tense, sensing my resolve.

“Why? Nora, why? You’re not seriously hurt, and I survived too.”

He looked incredulous, as if my words were outrageous.

“Is it because I didn’t call an ambulance in time? But the rescue team is here, Nora. Don’t be so stubborn, okay?”

Stubborn?!

I couldn’t help but laugh, but the sharp pain in my chest quickly silenced me.

He tricked me onto the Ferris wheel and pushed me off. Yet all his schemes turned out to be my stubbornness.

For the first time, I felt a chill beyond compare, regretting ever choosing him.

Sensing my emotions, Asher sighed deeply.

“Don’t be like this, Nora. We’ve already told our friends and family about the engagement. You’re putting me in a difficult position.”

“Besides, you know I love you and can't live without you.”

“To make it up to you, once you recover, I’ll take you to the Maldives like you always wanted.”

I was coaxed into riding the Ferris wheel with him, only to be pushed off. In the end, all his scheming turned my choices into my foolishness.

For the first time, my heart felt a chill beyond measure, and I regretted my decision from the very beginning.

Perhaps sensing my emotions, Asher sighed deeply.

"Come on, Nora, don't make a fuss. We've already announced our engagement to our friends and family. Saying this now is putting me in a tough spot, don't you think?"

"Besides, you know I love you and can't live without you."

"To make it up to you, once you're feeling better, I'll take you to the Maldives like you've always wanted."

Suddenly, the rescue team called out from a distance.

"Are there any more injured? The vehicle is full. If not, we're heading out."

Asher was about to respond when Adeline suddenly clutched her arm, crying.

"Asher, my arm hurts so much. I think I scraped it just now. What if I can't play the piano anymore? I'm so scared..."

Upon hearing this, Asher released my hand and rushed to her side.

"What happened? You seemed fine a moment ago. We'll go to the hospital with the rescue team right away. You'll be okay!"

Adeline glanced at me with teary eyes, feigning hesitation.

"But what about Cora? She seems more seriously injured than I am. The staff said the vehicle is full. I'm worried..."

Asher's eyes turned dark, and when he looked back at me, his expression changed.

"Nora, you see Adeline's hand is injured. If she doesn't get treated in time, she might never be able to play the piano again. That would be devastating for her."

"So, since you can still talk, just wait here for a bit. I'll call an ambulance for you, okay?"

Even though I had anticipated this, hearing it felt like a knife twisting in my heart, leaving it numb with pain.

"What if I say no?"

Asher's face immediately darkened, and he yelled at me angrily.

"Why can't you be more understanding, Cora? Are you trying to crush Adeline's dreams?!"

"It's not like we're leaving you here. Waiting a bit won't kill you. Why are you acting like this? Or are you just targeting her intentionally?"

"Cora, what's happened to you?"

Swallowing the taste of blood in my mouth, I let myself collapse to the ground, feeling my body grow cold.

Why, why does he always abandon me when I need him the most?

Just like how he forgot that today is my birthday and that I'm afraid of heights.

The rescue team was calling from afar, and Asher carefully helped Adeline to leave.

My left leg was likely broken; the numbness from the pain left me unable to move at all.

"Asher, Asher!"

Hearing my call, he turned back and instructed me.

"Just wait here. Once Adeline's wound is treated, I'll call an ambulance for you."

But it would be too late; I wouldn't last that long.

"No, Asher, tell the rescue team there's still someone here!"

But Asher never looked back, helping Adeline onto the rescue team's vehicle.

Then came the sound of the engine, and I watched the hope of rescue fade away before my eyes.

Suddenly, I recalled Asher's whisper in my ear this morning.

"Wake up, Nora, I'll give you a surprise today."

Back then, I was so full of joy, never imagining I'd end up like this.

It's all too late now.

Slowly, I closed my eyes in despair.