Chapter 2

I lay on the hospital bed for several days; Nora came to see me a few times when she had time.

She said impatiently.

"How come you're weaker than Declan? Anyone would think you were the one who had surgery."

After saying this, she showed a hint of regret on her face, apologizing with a touch of guilt.

"Anyway, you're like this now because of Declan. He just told me that when he's better, he wants to throw a big party to thank you."

"I know you've always had issues with him because of our past, but we're married now."

When she mentioned marriage, there was a barely noticeable crease in her brow; she paused before continuing.

"Things between him and me are over. Don't overthink it; let's live our lives."

With that, she reached out and gently held my hand.

Feeling the warmth from the back of my hand, my heart ached.

If it were in our previous life, hearing these words would have made me forget everything in joy.

But after experiencing all that, I knew she still had Declan in her heart.

Her promises now were only out of loyalty to the marriage.

I withdrew my hand, looked at Nora quietly, and said softly.

"I know you still have Declan in your heart, and I'm willing to let you go. Don't worry, I'll explain everything to my parents."

But I didn't expect that as soon as I said this, Nora's face turned ugly.

She stared at me, her voice slightly panicked.

"Theo, what nonsense are you talking! I said, my past with Declan is over!"

"What do you mean by this? Are you accusing me of betraying you? Theo, can you stop having such vile thoughts!"

I quickly got up, trying to grab her sleeve to explain.

But as I did, a sharp pain shot through my chest, and I fell back onto the bed.

Seeing my pale face, Nora spoke coldly.

"What are you acting? You're not the one who had surgery; haven't you rested enough in bed?"

"Declan was right; you're pretending to be sick to make us feel guilty, aren't you?"

"Theo, you're a doctor. Saving lives is your duty; don't use it to blackmail us!"

Her words, "us," once again reminded me that I was the villain who broke them apart.

I wanted to laugh bitterly but could only manage a slight twitch of my mouth as the pain in my heart almost made me faint.

Seeing the cold sweat on my forehead, Nora sensed something was wrong, her voice trembling slightly.

"Theo, stop acting; I won't believe you!"

"What's wrong with you? Someone! Help! Is the nurse here?"

The head nurse rushed in with others, quickly starting to check on me.

Nora was pushed outside, forced to watch through the glass.

Seeing her worried expression, my mood didn't improve at all.

Maybe she was more worried that if something happened to me, Declan would owe me even more.

Thanks to the medical staff's efforts, my condition finally improved.

The head nurse sighed deeply, helplessly.

"I told you, switching to an artificial heart would have aftereffects, but you wouldn’t listen!"

"Look at your body now! If it hadn't been for the timely rescue, you'd be dead!"

Nora entered just in time to hear the last part, unable to help but speak up.

"Dead? Wasn't he just exhausted from a long surgery? How come he hasn't recovered yet?"

Her eyes darted between me and the head nurse, as if questioning if we were hiding something from her.

The head nurse snapped.

"Ask him yourself!"

I forced a weak smile and said softly.

"I was overworked from the surgeries; I just need to rest for a while."

Seeing me still hiding the truth, the head nurse had nothing more to say.

Nora didn't speak, standing still for a moment before stepping forward to change the water in the vase.

Seeing her place a bunch of calla lilies with dew, I was slightly surprised.

"How did you know my favorite flower is the calla lily?"

Nora bit her lips, not looking at me, and said softly, "You mentioned it before."

I remembered when we first moved into the new house, my in-laws suggested putting some fresh flowers and plants to bring life to the new home.

I casually mentioned it then.

"I've been undergoing several intense surgeries lately, so I'm really exhausted. I just need some time to recover."

Seeing that I was still hiding the truth, the head nurse had nothing more to say.

Nora didn't say anything but stood still for a moment before stepping forward to change the water in the vase.

I was slightly surprised when I saw her place a bunch of calla lilies with dewdrops in the vase.

"How did you know that calla lilies are my favorite flower?"

Nora pressed her lips together and didn't look at me, replying softly, "You mentioned it before."

Only then did I remember. When we first moved into the new house, my in-laws said we should place some fresh flowers and plants to liven up the place. I had casually mentioned it back then.

I didn't expect that Nora would remember from that one time.

Looking at the white flowers, I felt a complex mix of emotions.

Finally, I asked the question that had been buried in my heart for what felt like two lifetimes.

"If Declan had returned before we got married, would you still have married me?"

Hearing this, Nora's hand trembled.

She didn't answer directly but frowned in confusion.

"Why are you asking this? We're already married. There's no point in asking now."

I pressed on, staring intently into her eyes.

"I want an honest answer from you. Can you answer me sincerely?"

A trace of conflict flashed across Nora's face, and she turned away.

After a while, I heard her softly say, "No."

The sword hanging over my head finally dropped, shattering the last bit of hope I had hidden.

Seeing the bitterness on my face, Nora's tone unexpectedly held a hint of panic. She bit her lip.

"You said it yourself—it was an 'if.' The fact is, we're already married. Those hypotheticals don't exist, and I won't leave you to reunite with Declan!"

She hurriedly stood up and tucked the blanket around me.

"Focus on getting better. Once you're well..."

She paused, a hint of determination flashing in her expression.

"We'll move to the neighboring city. I won't have any contact with Declan after that."

Saying this, her shoulders slumped, and she turned and left the room without looking back.

I watched her departing figure and pressed the call button on the bedside.

The head nurse looked at me, puzzled, as I softly spoke.

"Could you print me a divorce agreement?"

If there's no love, I'm willing to let go completely.

This is the last thing I'm doing for Nora.