5

Ethan stared at me. I spoke softly, "You don't need to feel obligated. You don't need to feel guilty about anything. This is what I owed you."

These words were for Ethan, but also for myself.

Ethan frowned, clearly displeased. "What are you talking about?"

I didn't answer. The room fell silent.

Ethan turned away and picked up a cup to pour me hot water.

I noticed his hands trembling uncontrollably. It must be raining today—his old injuries were acting up again.

Memories and heartache flooded through me. I asked him, "Do you regret becoming like this because you saved me?"

Ethan kept his head down as he placed the water in front of me. His hair fell across his eyes, hiding his expression.

He said, "I don't regret it. Even if it had been someone else, I would have saved them."

"What about during the volcano eruption?"

I saw his fingers stiffen slightly. I heard him say, "Yes. No matter who it was, I would have saved them. I'm the pack's Alpha. Protecting pack members is my duty. I'm responsible for every member."

Of course. He truly was a kind-hearted, gentle person.

I smiled, but tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Thank you, Ethan. You really are a wonderful person. I was wrong before—repaying your kindness with cruelty, clinging to you and refusing to let go. You must have been so troubled by it."

Such a good person, yet I'd tormented him for twelve years. In the end, he'd even died saving me. I truly was his curse.

Seeing my tears, Ethan's eyes showed a rare flash of panic. "What are you talking about? I..."

Just then, his beta assistant came rushing in.

"Alpha, Miss Ivy is awake!"

"I'll go see her first." Ethan's face lit up with joy. He immediately turned to leave, but I called his name softly.

He looked back. I gave him a bright, radiant smile.

"I'm sorry, Ethan."

"I wish you peace, happiness, and everything your heart desires."

He sensed something was wrong.

"Why are you saying goodbye? I'm just going to check on Ivy. I have things I want to tell you. Wait for me to come back."

With that, he turned and left.

Less than half an hour remained before I'd return to the past.

I pulled the IV needle from my hand and got up to walk out of the hospital.

When Ethan finished visiting Ivy, he returned carrying a bag full of nourishing soup to my hospital room.

But the room was completely empty. Ethan called my name tentatively several times. No one answered.

Ethan felt an inexplicable irritation rising in his chest. He pulled out his phone, instinctively about to call me, when his beta assistant came rushing in from outside.

"Alpha, something terrible has happened!"

The assistant was breathing heavily, shouting loudly.

"Ten minutes ago, Miss Rachel died from complications related to the kidney surgery. They couldn't save her."