Chapter 3

"Mrs. Rivers, you've seen the photo, so I don't think there's any misunderstanding here.

"I'm sure that you're aware of just how well I've treated Kimberly all these years. I love her, and I believe that I've never done anything to let her down. However, that doesn't mean that she can take advantage of my feelings for her to brazenly hurt me."

Still, Rachel was my elder, so I had to show her at least a little respect. "Give me some time to clean up, and then I'll head over."

After hanging up, I quickly went through my morning routine before heading out in my car.

When I arrived at the Riverses' residence, Kimberly's parents, Rachel and Dave Rivers, were already waiting for me at the gates. Behind them stood Kimberly, looking like a wilted flower with her head bowed.

Getting out of the car, I had barely shut the door when a black sports car suddenly roared out of a nearby alleyway and sped straight toward me.

"Watch out, Zach!"

Seeing that the sports car was gunning straight for me, Kimberly abruptly dashed over and shoved me out of the way.

With a loud thud, Kimberly was sent flying by the hit while I crashed to the ground.

As the sports car fled the scene, Kimberly was brought to the emergency room at the hospital. She had managed to push me away at the last minute but was unable to avoid the car herself, resulting in it ramming into her legs. Though both her legs were broken, she was not in any life-threatening danger.

My face was blank as I stared at her, lying there on a hospital bed with both her legs in a cast.

If this had happened before the events of yesterday, I would've likely been overcome with regret and self-blame for her being so hurt, especially since it had only been because of me. I would've probably been so heartbroken at the sight and desperately wishing that I could take her place.

Now, however, I was thankful that she had pushed me out of the way, leaving me with only minor scrapes.

Since Kimberly had just undergone an operation, she was still feeling incredibly weak, and her complexion was sallow.

A tiny glimmer of light entered her eyes when she spotted me. "Zach, I'm glad that you're fine."

Instead of continuing that topic, I asked her, "Kimberly, do you know what day it was yesterday?"

She answered somewhat impatiently, "Zachary Jensen, I'm already this badly injured, and it's all because of you. Do you not see this? If it weren't for me, the person in bed right now would be you!

"How could you be so cold-hearted as to be hung up on your lousy birthday at a time like this? Don't you think you're being too selfish?"

Nearby, Rachel also shot me a playfully reproachful look. "That's right, Zach. Kimmy only got hurt because of you. Not only did she save your life, but she's also your fiancee. How could you speak to her like that?"

"Oh, so you do remember that I'm your future son-in-law? And here I thought that you had already turned your attention to someone else." Turning to look at Kimberly, I added, "Answer my question. What day was yesterday?"

Kimberly seemed to deflate like a balloon. "It was your birthday. Happy now? Zachary, all I did was not spend your birthday with you. Is it really necessary to dig your heels in and refuse to let go of this matter? I promise to celebrate your birthday with you next year. Is that enough for you?"

A laugh threatened to leave my lips at her words. "Then, let me ask you this. What were you doing on my birthdays for the past three years?"

"I…"

When she appeared lost for words, I helpfully decided to jog her memory for her. "Last year, Gregory wanted someone to watch the sunset with him, so you put on a tight yoga outfit and spent the entire day climbing a mountain with him. Meanwhile, I was left all alone at a romantic restaurant till they closed down for the night.

"The year before that, you promised to celebrate my birthday with me, so I even had the yacht decorated nicely. Yet, you ran off at the last minute to help Gregory move house. You even drove my car away, leaving me stranded at the dock."