Chapter 4

The repeated rejections sparked anger in me.

Ignoring the mockery from other base members, I organized some materials and luggage and called for rescue again.

This time, I finally got help.

When I removed the glove wrapping and exposed my fingers, the doctor gasped and looked at me again.

"Let's go do some tests first."

Only simple treatment had been done at the base station. The three most severely affected fingers had changed color, the tips turned black.

The test results were not optimistic.

The frostbite had damaged skin, muscle, and nerves. The doctor's assessment was that amputation would be necessary.

"The frostbite has reached the point of tissue necrosis. There may be infection later. We can only amputate as soon as possible."

"I'm very sorry..."

Even though I'd anticipated it, when I heard the results, I still stood there stunned.

After a long while, I wiped my face.

"Alright, then let's proceed with surgery as soon as possible."

In my previous life, Levitt always said I owed Matthew my life. This way was good too—at least this time both his life and mine were saved.

Thinking this way, when I signed the surgical consent form, my fingers still trembled uncontrollably.

Loving Levitt had cost too much. I felt it wasn't worth it.

Lost in thought, the sound of arguing next door brought me back. Familiar voices reached me.

"Your injury looks so serious, yet the doctor says it's nothing. They have no medical ethics at all."

"You're a top scientific researcher. If something happens to you, I'll definitely make them pay."

It was Levitt and Matthew. They were at this hospital too.

Matthew had only suffered some scrapes, yet Levitt was extremely anxious. Hearing someone tell the "couple" to calm down, she didn't correct them, just frowned and threw a tantrum.

During the argument, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of me in the crowd.

She instinctively frowned and turned cold, but seeing me, she still walked straight toward me.

"Christie, explain to them. Why should others get priority treatment? Matthew should be treated first!"

My gaze fell on a blood-covered man being carried into a ward nearby, then looked at the silent Matthew. I found it laughable.

Who needed treatment more urgently? Wasn't it obvious?

But she acted as if she couldn't see it.

"Don't get angry. You're going to be a mother. There's no need to..."

I meant it as comfort, but Levitt frowned at me and threw the examination report in her hand at my face.

"If you know that, why aren't you helping me? Whose fault is it that Matthew got injured!"

"If it weren't for you, how could he have gotten hurt? You've upset my pregnancy too."

Watching her transfer all her anger onto me, the last bit of love in my heart dissipated completely.

She wanted Matthew to stay in the hospital to rest, and claimed she'd been upset by me and needed my care.

The doctor looked at me, wanting to speak but stopping short, but I held them back.

Even if she didn't say it, I would have stayed at the hospital anyway.

The day after tomorrow, I would have surgery.

Levitt demanded the best room and wanted to stay next to Matthew so she could take care of him anytime.

Facing this pair of lovers day after day, my heart had long since lost all turbulence.

I prepared divorce papers. After my surgery, I would voluntarily withdraw from the research team and divorce her.

But before that...

Completely unaware of my emotions, Levitt devoted all her attention to Matthew. The only time she got distracted was when she saw research papers in my hospital room.

After flipping through them, she lowered her head and took a pen to scribble on the research papers.

"How can these research reports count as only your achievement? Matthew almost lost his life because of you. You have to add his name!"

With a wave of her hand, Levitt wrote Matthew's name on the papers. The further she read, the more her brow furrowed.

"How could these coordinate points be so dangerous? You're just a meteorologist. Matthew specializes in measuring ice layer thickness and terrain. Your viewpoints don't hold up at all!"

The papers in her hand were thrown to the ground and stomped on. Levitt lifted her chin, looking at me with contempt.

"Forget it. All you can write is this garbage anyway."

"Matthew is going back to the research team tomorrow. The first places he'll go are those points you marked. Just wait."

"He'll disprove your arguments and prove you're wrong."

I jerked my head up to look at her. Hearing where Matthew planned to go, I tried to stop them, only to be met with her loud mockery.

In the end, I watched helplessly as she sent Matthew off.

Through the window, the man hugged Levitt and flashed me a provocative smile.

Behind me, medical staff knocked on the ward door and confirmed my information with me.

"Mr. Christie, it's time to prepare for surgery."

"Alright."

Before leaving, I glanced at the two of them.

From now on, we would have nothing to do with each other.