...

The crowd grew larger, and the whispering intensified. Security arrived and tried to escort Ethan away, but he pushed them aside:

"I am also a patient of this hospital! I am looking for my wife here; how is that any of your business?"

"If you dare lay a finger on me, suffer the consequences!"

The guards looked at each other, momentarily at a loss. Grandmother shook with rage, her breathing becoming rapid.

Just then, a cold, clear voice came from behind the crowd:

"Ethan Miller, just how long do you intend to keep up this scene?"

Chapter 16

Finally seeing the person he had been longing for day and night, Ethan’s heart pounded uncontrollably. He rushed toward Clara, but just as his fingertips were about to touch her sleeve, she recoiled sharply, moving her wheelchair back half a meter.

Her voice was as cold as ice:

"Don't be an eyesore in front of Grandmother. Follow me."

Ethan did not dare to delay and followed her closely to the hospital lawn. Seeing the bandages on Clara’s arm and the splints still on her leg, his heart felt as if it were being wrung into a knot. His voice trembled:

"Clara, the injuries... do they still hurt?"

The moment he asked, he regretted it. How could it not hurt? Ethan hated himself; if only he had found her sooner, she wouldn't have suffered so much, nor would she be so cold toward him.

Clara did not answer. She simply looked at him with eyes devoid of any warmth:

"If you have something to say, say it here. I don't have much time to waste on you."

Ethan hurriedly took a step forward, his tone thick with remorse:

"Clara, I know I was wrong."

"When you needed me most, I failed to be by your side and let you suffer so much injustice. But we have been together for so many years; just give me one more chance. I truly cannot live without you."

In the past, hearing such words would have made Clara throw herself into his arms and weep. But now, she only found it ridiculous. She curled her lips into a smirk:

"Ethan, do you still not understand? I’m not angry; I just don't love you anymore."

"Impossible!"

Ethan shook his head violently, his voice urgent. "Are you saying this just to spite me because of Scarlett?"

"In the past, I was blinded by Scarlett’s lies. I already know what she did to you and Grandmother. I’ve taught her a lesson and thrown her out; she will never disturb our lives again."

As he spoke, he fumbled to pull out his phone, wanting to show Clara how he had sought revenge for her. But she simply turned her head away, her gaze landing on the distant lawn, her voice calm:

"Ethan, it’s too late. Everything you’re doing is meaningless now."

Ethan’s hand froze in mid-air. It felt as if a giant boulder were pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe. In a daze, countless sweet moments with Clara flashed through his mind.

It was when he first took over the Miller family and would come home late from social engagements; Clara would always wait for him on the sofa with a bowl of sobering soup that had been reheated countless times.

It was when he drank until his stomach bled, and Clara carried him to the hospital on her back in the middle of the night, staying by his bedside without closing her eyes for a second.

It was when the Miller family was being plotted against, and she handed over all the Barker family assets to him to help him weather the storm.

...

In the past, Clara was always used to putting his needs first. And he had grown accustomed to her devotion, gradually ignoring the fact that she, too, could feel wronged. For the sake of a lying Scarlett, he had hurt Clara time and time again, personally pushing her further and further away.

Ethan gazed at the woman before him. Her features were still the familiar ones from his memory. But those eyes that were once overflowing with love now held nothing but icy alienation.

He reached out, wanting to touch Clara’s face, but stopped halfway. He knew clearly that a massive, insurmountable chasm had opened between them. Yet, years of emotion were carved into his very bones; how could he be willing to let go just like this?

Ethan lowered his posture to the extreme, his eyes full of pleading:

"Clara, I truly love you. Let’s remarry, alright?"

"I swear I will treat you well from now on and never let you suffer even a bit of grievance. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you; whatever you want to do, I’ll accompany you. I only beg for one more chance..."

Clara looked at him quietly. She remembered Grandmother’s screams when she was pushed down the stairs; she remembered every detail of the abuse at the cattle farm... waking up from nightmares countless times, those injuries reminded her every moment that she was an unloved person.

How could all that be erased by a simple "I was wrong"? She slowly shook her head, her voice clear and firm:

"Ethan, there is no 'later' for us."

"I used to believe that love could overcome all difficulties, so I compromised for you again and again, until I was tortured nearly to death. Only then did I realize that one-sided devotion cannot buy a sincere heart, and your guilt cannot sustain our future."

Her gaze held a sense of relief:

"I don't love you anymore, and I don't want to go back to the past. Let me go, and let yourself go, too."

Having said her piece, Clara turned her wheelchair to leave. The wheels rolled over the grass, leaving two shallow tracks that would never intersect. Just like her life and Ethan’s, they would only drift further apart.

A breeze blew past, carrying a hint of chill. Ethan stood frozen in place, tears sliding from his eyes without warning, feeling cold against his skin.

Chapter 17

Back in the ward, Grandmother Miller carefully pulled Clara into her arms, gently patting her back:

"Child, you didn't suffer any grievance, did you? That brat didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Clara leaned into her grandmother’s embrace and shook her head with a smile:

"No, Grandmother, don't worry. I’m no longer the Clara Miller who let anyone bully her. I’m strong now; no one can push me around anymore."

Grandmother was amused and let out a laugh, her furrowed brows finally relaxing. Just then, Felix Sullivan pushed the door open and walked in, his head hanging low like a child who had done something wrong:

"I’m sorry. I couldn't do what you asked."

"I’m afraid he’ll come to harass you again. How about I help you and Grandmother transfer to another hospital? Consider it a way to make up for my failure."

Clara quickly tried to reassure him: "It’s not your fault."

"I know better than anyone how difficult Ethan can be. Besides, this is where you work; you couldn't exactly stop him by force. But you’re right, we can't stay here any longer."

She agreed to the transfer proposal and chose a private hospital in a secluded location. However, during rounds the next day, the person who pushed open the door was still Felix.

He had changed his hairstyle to a soft, layered cut, and his silver-framed glasses rested on the bridge of his high nose. A clean white coat made his 188cm frame look even more slender.

Clara’s eyes widened in surprise:

"Dr. Sullivan, why are you here? Weren't you at the Central Hospital..."

Before she could finish, the young nurse behind Felix spoke up:

"Our director tried to recruit Dr. Sullivan for months and he never agreed. But for you, he showed up for duty the very next day."

"Amy, don't talk nonsense," Felix scolded in a low voice. Amy stuck out her tongue and obediently shut her mouth.

He walked to Grandmother’s bedside and carefully checked the progress of her leg rehabilitation. When his fingertips touched her knee, he deliberately lightened his touch:

"Grandmother, does it hurt here?"

"If you feel tired during rehab lately, take more breaks. Don't force yourself."

As he examined her, he patiently gave instructions, his eyes full of meticulous care and gentleness. After checking Grandmother, he walked over to Clara:

"Amy was joking, don't feel any pressure. You and Grandmother are both my patients; it’s only right that I be responsible for my patients."

Looking at his reddened ears, Clara couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile. Amy stood behind them, her eyes full of the light of gossip.

After Felix left, Amy immediately leaned in and whispered:

"Miss Miller, what exactly is the relationship between you and Dr. Sullivan?"

"High school classmates." Clara thought for a moment, then added, "And friends." Since Felix had helped her so much, calling him just a classmate seemed too cold.