Chapter 3

Iris Hart POV

"I saw your phone location and rushed over. How did you get hurt?"

I didn't even lift my head, my tone light and casual. "Couldn't get a cab in the old district. Got bitten by a stray dog on the road."

Hearing this, his eyes immediately reddened, full of heartache and guilt. "I should've thought of that. I'm so sorry."

"I'm fine." My tone remained calm.

A few days later, after I'd fully recovered, Sebastian showed up uninvited, carrying something.

He handed me an elegant gift bag with a hint of flattery. "I was wrong the other day. Maybe looking at a plant will cheer you up."

I opened it to find a pot of mint. A sharp pain suddenly pierced through my chest. He'd always had an exceptional memory-how could he forget I was allergic to mint?

Seeing my silence, he assumed I was still angry. He pulled out two tickets. "The zoo you wanted to visit-I managed to get tickets. Let's go right now, okay?"

Without waiting for me to refuse, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door.

When we got to the zoo entrance and I saw River getting out of the car, I turned to leave. He gripped my hand tightly. "I asked a friend to get the tickets and they happened to have two extras. I just didn't want them to go to waste."

Using the excuse of accompanying me to the zoo, his eyes never left River. After a few exhibits, they were practically glued together. Watching them, they looked like a couple madly in love, while I was just an outsider.

At the bird show area, the host was introducing albatrosses. "Once they choose the right mate, they stay together for life! Now let's pick some audience members to participate!"

The spotlight landed on River. She looked at Sebastian hesitantly. "Sebastian, I'm too scared to go up alone. Can you come with me?"

He glanced at me briefly, then took her hand and went onstage. The host assumed they were a couple and had them complete challenges: staring into each other's eyes for ten seconds, eating cookies, and the final task-a kiss.

Amid the cheering crowd, Sebastian pressed his hand against her head and kissed her.

My nails dug deep into my palms. My heart felt like it was being sliced with a knife. The air tasted unbearably bitter.

When the crowd dispersed, he stopped me. "With so many people watching, if I'd just left her there, people would've talked about her."

I didn't say anything more and headed to the next exhibit. He nervously followed, trying to apologize.

Suddenly, screams erupted nearby. An escaped brown bear was charging toward the crowd, swinging its massive paws.

I was pushed back by the surging crowd and suddenly lost my footing. River and I both fell into the artificial lake at the same time!

Sebastian reached out his hand and swam toward me with all his might.

"Sebastian!"

A shout made him freeze mid-motion. He instinctively changed direction and swam toward River instead.

The icy lake water swallowed me. I struggled desperately, staring hard at his retreating back as I gradually lost consciousness.

My body felt heavy as lead. When I opened my eyes, I saw him with red-rimmed eyes, gripping my hand. "I'm sorry. It's my fault for not taking better care of you."

I thought he was going to explain why he'd abandoned me to save her, but he carefully avoided the subject, not saying a word about it.

His phone vibrated frantically.

"Excuse me, do you still have fever medicine in stock?" It was River's weak voice on the other end.

"River?"

"I'm sorry, Sebastian. I called the wrong number trying to buy medicine." She hung up in panic.

Sebastian, usually so composed, immediately panicked. He glanced at me a few times before standing up. "River's home alone. I'm afraid she..."

"Go ahead." My face was pale, but my expression remained calm.

Watching him leave without hesitation, I was consumed by grief. He used to feel heartbroken for half a day just seeing me frown. Now he could abandon me without a second thought, even when I was seriously injured.