Chapter 3

Marcus' POV

Sure enough, a bright red breaking news alert popped up on my screen.

"Breaking News. Major Accident on Jarrow Overpass. Black Maybach Crushed by Dump Truck. Driver Believed to Be Dempsey Group Heiress."

Several blurry pictures from the scene appeared beneath the headline.

The front of the Maybach had been crushed beyond recognition, while the driver's side had collapsed. A pool of blood stained the sidewalk, spreading across the road beneath the pouring rain.

The article continued to update in real time.

"Ms. Elena Dempsey's legs remain pinned inside the wreckage. She has suffered devastating fractures and may be permanently disabled."

My finger paused over the pictures.

In my previous life, I'd been so worried about Elena that I secretly followed her car.

When the accident happened, I risked being caught in an explosion and smashed the window with my bare hands. I nearly lost my own life dragging her out of the wreckage.

Because I reached her in time, the nerves in her legs were saved. Although she was left disabled, she still had a chance to walk again someday.

This time, however, Elena remained trapped inside the mangled car for half an hour before the firefighters finally freed her.

She had missed the critical window for surgery, and her legs would never recover.

Even so, she and her precious true love could spend the rest of their lives together for all I cared.

Without a trace of emotion, I closed the article.

Then, I removed my SIM card. Lowering the window, I casually tossed it outside. The tiny chip was immediately swept away by the rain before disappearing down a dark storm drain.

In my previous life, I gave up my guaranteed admission to Calton University so I could care for Elena.

This time, I'd already contacted one of the finance department's leading professors. Tomorrow morning, I would report to her research center.

I was finally pursuing the future that should've been mine all along.

As for Elena, she had chosen her own path.

…

Third-Person POV

Meanwhile, the light above the operating room at Jarrow Hospital remained red for five straight hours.

When Benedict and Yolanda arrived at the hospital, Yolanda's knees buckled beneath her, and she fainted on the spot.

Julius stood in a corner of the hallway with a grim expression, tugging irritably at his tie.

At last, the operating room doors opened.

The attending surgeon stepped into the hallway with his scrubs covered in blood, his expression grave.

"Mr. Dempsey, we managed to save her life. But Ms. Dempsey suffered catastrophic fractures in both legs, and much of the nerve tissue has died. We did everything we could, but I'm afraid she'll spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair."

The words struck them like a bolt of lightning.

Julius' eyes widened, and he stumbled back in disbelief.

Would Elena be permanently disabled and stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life?

He was supposed to marry the Dempsey heiress, enjoy all the prestige that came with being her husband, and eventually take over the family business.

If Elena could never walk again, would he have to spend the rest of his life caring for her while enduring everyone's pitying looks?

Would he have to wait on her hand and foot?

The mere thought made his stomach turn.

Just then, a couple of nurses wheeled Elena out on a hospital bed.

She was still unconscious. Despite both of her legs being wrapped in gauze, blood continued to seep through the bandages.

The sharp smell of blood and antiseptic filled the hallway.

Julius took a step back in disgust, afraid the blood might stain his expensive leather shoes.

"Julius…"

Benedict turned to him with reddened eyes. "You're the person Elena cares about most. You need to stay by her side and take good care of her."

Julius forced himself to look devastated, though his voice came out stiff.

"Don't worry, Mr. Dempsey. I'll take good care of Elena. I-I just need a cigarette to clear my head. I'll come back later."

With that, he turned and hurried down the hallway without the slightest hesitation.