Chapter 3

I’m not going back.

I answered her silently in my heart.

When I stepped outside, a light rain began to fall.

I bought a last-minute plane ticket to a random destination.

At least it would take me away from this place.

Three hours later, I arrived in an unfamiliar inland city.

That night, I checked into a small local hotel to rest.

I didn’t know anyone there.

But the people were simple and kind. Their warmth made me feel strangely at home.

Ava had said that without her, I was nothing.

There was some truth to that.

Several confused days passed, but I wasn’t completely alone.

I happened to meet the young woman staying in the room next to mine.

Her name was Lily.

It happened because the delivery driver brought my food to the wrong room. I didn’t realize what had happened until Lily knocked on my door and brought it over.

After a brief conversation, I learned she was traveling.

She wanted to see more of the country while she was still young.

“Staying inside your house all day doesn’t count as living,” Lily said, tilting her head. Her dimples deepened when she smiled.

Her words struck me like thunder and jolted me awake from the darkness I had been trapped in for so long.

That was right.

Why had I imprisoned myself in the Hayes family?

Maybe it was because I had spent every day worrying about Ava, dealing with her problems, and protecting the Hayes family’s image.

My heart had been exhausted for a long time.

I was only twenty-six.

In my eyes, life was full of roads, and I still had endless possibilities.

Whenever Lily had free time, she came to visit me.

We got along surprisingly well.

As we spent more time together, we grew familiar with each other.

One day, while out for a walk, we passed a hospital.

A large sign hung outside:

True medicine requires compassion. Protect life, heal the wounded, and care for every patient.

Patients hurried in and out of the building.

The sight suddenly brought back a memory I hadn’t thought about in years.

After my parents died in front of me because their treatment failed, I decided to study medicine.

But back then, what right did I have to talk about dreams or the future?

Being alive was already enough.

One day, Mr. Hayes brought Ava to the orphanage where I lived.

He said he was looking for a companion for Ava.

In reality, he was looking for someone to raise as her future husband.

The children crowded around them, each one eager to show off.

I was pushed all the way to the edge.

Ava wore a princess dress. She looked arrogantly over the other children, then pointed at me.

Her voice was sweet.

“I choose him.”

From that day on, the Hayes family sponsored my education.

They gave me the best resources and sent me to school with Ava.

Whenever other people bullied me, Ava always stood up for me.

Her small body would shield mine as she smiled and promised,

“I’ll protect you from now on.”

She said we would always stay this close.

We would always be each other’s most reliable support.

But in the end, I was the one who kept holding together our fragile relationship.

I had relied on her promise all these years.

She had forgotten it long ago.

One morning, I had just finished my run when Lily knocked on my door.

She wore a loose cropped T-shirt and casual track pants, looking like a bright, energetic college student.

When she saw me, she immediately smiled.

“Good morning!”

Her smile was as dazzling as sunlight, and it healed something inside me.

I smiled back and returned her greeting.

“Ethan, I’m going bungee jumping today. Do you want to come with me? You don’t have anything else to do, right?”

She showed me the bungee-jumping guide on her phone.

It was one of the area’s most popular attractions. People went for the thrill and adrenaline.

They said the best part of bungee jumping was that sensation of dying and coming back to life.

It was a release from stress and worry.

I wanted to try it.

I had been disciplined for so long that I had never done anything this reckless.

This would be my first time.

Lily didn’t wait for my answer. Assuming I was worried, she reassured me.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. This place is very professional and safe. Besides, I have plenty of experience.”

She sounded slightly proud.

Then Lily continued, “I’ll go with you. Come on, try it.”

“If you get scared, just hold my hand.”