Chapter 5

Now, with our parting imminent and our paths never to cross again, whether Sophia misunderstood me or not no longer mattered.

At that moment, she spoke up, "I promised to watch the meteor shower with you last night, but I didn't keep my word. I remember you mentioned wanting to visit Lake Copo. Why don't we go for a trip in a few days?"

I was surprised that she still remembered. I hesitated briefly before shaking my head in refusal.

"That won't be necessary."

Surprisingly, Sophia did not respond with her usual sarcasm. Instead, she took out her phone and immediately booked tickets for five days from now.

"I understand if you're upset with me. I've booked the tickets. Once you've recovered in a few days, we'll go on our honeymoon."

"That's not necessary, Sophia."

Sophia looked at me, and I said softly, "Just don't feel obligated to me, and don't think you owe me anything. I'm the one who owes you."

Those words were meant for Sophia, but also for myself.

She cut me off with displeasure, "What are you talking about?"

I did not answer, and silence fell between us. Sophia turned and picked up a cup to pour me some water.

I noticed her hand trembling uncontrollably—it must have been raining today, aggravating her old injury.

Memories and concerns rushed over me, and I asked her, "Do you regret saving me and ending up like this?"

Sophia placed the water in front of me with her head lowered, her hair hiding her eyes.

She said, "I have no regrets. I would have done the same even if it had been someone else."

"Even during the earthquake?"

I saw her fingers stiffen momentarily.

"Yes," she replied. "I would have saved anyone."

Just as I thought—she was truly kind-hearted and gentle. I smiled, but my eyes concealed an inconsolable sadness.

"Thank you, Sophia. You're truly a wonderful person. I repaid your kindness with torment, refusing to let go. You must have been very troubled."

Someone as kind as her had suffered ten years of my torment, only to die saving me in the end.

I was truly the thorn in her side.

Seeing my sadness, Sophia's eyes revealed a rare flash of panic. "What are you talking about? I—"

Just then, her assistant, Caleb Johnson, rushed in anxiously.

"Ms. Hayes, Mr. Brooks is awake!"

"I'll go check on him." Sophia's face lit up with joy as she quickly turned to leave, but I softly called her name.

She looked back, and I gave her a warm, sunny smile.

"I'm sorry, Sophia.

"I wish you peace, happiness, and all your heart's desires from now on."

She keenly sensed something was wrong.

"Why do you sound like you're saying goodbye? I'm just going to check on Ethan. I have something I want to tell you. Wait for me to come back."

With that, she turned and left. There was now less than half an hour remaining before I would have to return.

I pulled the IV needle from my arm and walked out of the hospital.

Later, Sophia returned from visiting Ethan, carrying several containers of nutritious soup as she entered my hospital room.

The room was empty. Sophia tentatively called my name several times, yet there was no response.

A strange uneasiness grew inside her. She instinctively took out her phone, about to dial my number, when Caleb rushed in from outside.

"Ms. Hayes, something terrible has happened!"

Caleb was breathing heavily as he shouted, "Ten minutes ago, Mr. Reed got into a car accident and lost a lot of blood.

"The hospital's blood bank was critically low, and Mr. Reed—he couldn't be saved. He's gone."