Chapter 4

Elena's POV

Late at night, the hospital room was dead quiet.

Leaning against the headboard, I opened the booking app on my phone and bought a one-way flight to Europe.

Just as I locked the screen, the door swung open.

Carter walked in, holding Chloe’s hand.

"Elena, Chloe said yes," Carter bragged, unable to conceal the triumph in his voice. "I'm a good friend, right? Came straight over to let you know."

I glanced at their intertwined fingers, my face completely calm.

"Congratulations."

Chloe spoke up softly: "I heard you were badly hurt. I brought some food. You should eat a little."

Carter obediently walked to the table to unpack the takeout containers.

I held up a hand to stop him: "Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

Carter's face dropped instantly.

"Chloe went out of her way to bring this to you. Don't be ungrateful."

Holding the opened container, he shoved it toward my hands.

I raised my arm to push it away.

In the scuffle, the piping-hot soup tipped over, pouring entirely over the fresh wound that had just been bandaged.

A searing agony turned my face deathly pale. Cold sweat instantly dotted my forehead.

Frightened, Chloe grabbed tissues, trying to step forward to help.

Carter yanked Chloe behind him to shield her.

"Stay back, Chloe! She's used to getting bumped and bruised. A little hot soup won't kill her. Don't feel guilty."

Clutching the soup-stained sheet, my lips shook violently.

Dad pushed the door open right at that moment. Seeing the fresh blood seeping through the gauze on my leg, he franticly hit the emergency call button.

Mom rushed in to clean up the mess, explaining patiently to Chloe:

"Chloe, dear, Elena has had a severe nut allergy since she was little. She can't eat this."

Carter froze on the spot, turning to glare at me: "You're allergic to nuts? How come I never knew that?"

Looking at the gauze soaked in blood and soup, I curled my lip slightly.

Whenever we used to eat out, Carter knew my dietary limits better than anyone.

Every single time we ordered, I would remind the waiter over and over: no nuts.

Now that he had someone new, those details were wiped completely from his mind.

I looked up, whispering: "Did you ever give me a chance to speak?"

The room fell into dead silence.

Her eyes red, Chloe tugged at Carter’s sleeve. Without another word, Carter hurried her out of the room.

The wound became infected, keeping me in the hospital for three extra days.

The day I was discharged, we had only one week left before our flight.

Busy packing the heavy luggage, my parents asked me to take a parting gift over to the Vance house to say an official goodbye.

I knocked on the front door.

Mr. and Mrs. Vance took my hands, their faces filled with guilt.

"We heard about what happened in the crash. Carter was completely out of line leaving you behind. We feel terribly guilty."

I shook my head: "Miss Sterling is his girlfriend. Protecting her is completely normal. Please don't take it to heart."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, I pushed the gift box across the coffee table.

"My parents asked me to say goodbye. Due to our family's overseas business adjustments, our entire family is moving abroad in the next couple of days."

Mr. and Mrs. Vance froze: "So suddenly? Will you come back?"

I smiled: "Once we settle down, we won't be coming back."

The front door was suddenly shoved open.

Carter strode in, his brow heavily furrowed.

"Who isn't coming back?"