Chapter 8

Ashton was angry.

Even though we’d been apart for six years, his habit of closing his eyes when he got angry hadn't changed.

I looked at him, feeling a bit lost.

I didn't understand what he was angry about.

If anyone had a right to be angry, it was me.

Before our breakup, Ashton and I each squeezed out five days for a fun trip.

But because he told Camilla our itinerary, she showed up the very next day.

I was a little upset then.

However, Camilla said their families were old acquaintances, and she and Ashton had grown up together, like siblings, practically family.

And Ashton didn't tell her to leave, so I had no choice but to tolerate it.

Who knew that the very next day, an earthquake would hit the area?

I still remember, as I was running out, I tumbled down the stairs.

My thigh was covered in bruises, and my ankle was severely sprained.

Most importantly, I hit my head, and my vision became a bit blurry.

Ashton initially wanted to carry me out, but then he heard Camilla's cries—

"Ashton! Ashton! Come save me!"

"Ashton, where are you? Help!"

Ashton looked at me, then turned and went to find Camilla.

He left me there.

It was as if he didn't care if I could get out, or if I would die there.

Even later, when I announced our breakup publicly without telling him first, he never explained why he did what he did.

But today, Ashton asked me, "Do you want to hear an explanation?"

I paused, surprised.

That earthquake had almost become my nightmare.

Every time I thought of it, my chest would involuntarily tighten, and breathing would become difficult.

Two years ago, in a show I was in, there was a scene related to an earthquake.

The director praised my performance then, saying he'd never seen anyone portray the terror of an earthquake so realistically and naturally.

But I wasn't acting; I was genuinely terrified.

Afterward, it took me a long time to recover from that emotion.

That night, I dreamt of the past, dreamt of being abandoned by Ashton again.

I woke up drenched in cold sweat, again and again.

My mind was clear, but my body wouldn't obey, unable to get up.

The next day, when Chloe saw I wasn't getting out of bed, she pushed open the door and found me delirious with fever. She immediately rushed me to the hospital.