Chapter 8

The wind howled outside the window, its force enough to make Faye shrink deeper under the covers.

Seth noticed and immediately got up to shut the window. As the wind swirled outside, wild and untamed, a sudden image flashed through his mind—Bella.

She had looked so fragile today, like a wisp of smoke that the wind could carry away without effort. Just looking at her, he could almost feel her pain.

If he had chosen to give her the anesthesia back then, would she have been spared that agony?

The thought made Seth lift a hand to his forehead, trying to silence it.

No—if he had chosen Bella, then the one enduring the pain would've been Faye. She had feared pain since she was a child. Bella would understand. She had to understand.

With that conclusion settling in his chest, Seth turned toward Faye and looked at her with a softness in his eyes. Then he leaned down and pressed a long, silent kiss to her forehead.

…

Five days later, Faye was discharged from the hospital.

It wasn't until Seth had gently carried her into the car that it occurred to him—Bella was still at the hospital.

He tapped his temple lightly, scolding himself. After a moment's hesitation, he turned the car around and drove back.

She had just donated a kidney to Faye. No matter what, he shouldn't have left her alone in the hospital.

But when he stepped off the elevator and looked around, a strange realization hit him—he didn't even know which room she had stayed in.

For the past five days, he had been with Faye constantly. Not once had he spared a thought for Bella.

He frowned and flagged down a passing nurse. "Excuse me, do you know which room Bella Ramsey is in?"

"Bella Ramsey?" The nurse looked puzzled. "We don't have a patient by that name."

Seth's expression hardened. "That's impossible. Please think carefully. She had surgery the same day as my girlfriend."

"Oh—wait!" The nurse clapped her forehead. "I remember now. She was discharged five days ago."

"Discharged?" Seth's voice grew tense. "That can't be. She just had surgery. How could she be discharged already?"

"I'm sure," the nurse said. "The doctor even recommended she stay a few more days to recover, but she insisted on leaving. Maybe she had something urgent to take care of."

With that, the nurse walked off, leaving Seth standing there, frozen.

Five days ago, she hadn't gone out for a walk that day. She had left the hospital.

The thought struck him like cold water.

Bella had left.

No—no, that wasn't possible. She loved him. He knew that. She'd given up part of her body for him, hadn't she? She couldn't just walk away.

She must have just hated the hospital. That was all. She probably went back to the villa.

Yes. That had to be it.

Reassured by the thought, Seth turned and headed quickly downstairs. He slid into the back seat of the car.

Faye looked at him, puzzled. "Seth, it's just you? Where's Bella?"

Seth's face darkened. "Forget her. We'll go back on our own."

When they got back to the villa, Seth stormed in, calling out Bella's name. There was no answer.

He took the stairs two at a time and pushed open her bedroom door—only to see a figure bending down, tidying up.

A smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

He knew it. Bella could never really leave him.

"Bella," he said sharply, "getting bold, aren't you? Discharging yourself without a word? Do you have any idea how long everyone's been waiting on you?"

But the figure turned around, flinching—and it wasn't Bella.

It was one of the maids, her face pale and nervous.

"M-Mr. Rogen," she stammered, "Bella… left the villa five days ago. I'm just here cleaning up."