I tried to learn my lesson.
Passing the doctor’s office, I overheard my
name.
“Ethan Evans‘ leg needs immediate surgery, or he’ll never walk again!”
“Are you really going to push him this far for
Shane?”
A sigh.
“Right now, Shane’s health is my priority.
Ethan’s stubborn. If his leg heals, he’ll leave
me.”
“Brother, please help me one last time! I’ll make sure his leg heals!”
Chloe’s family owned the hospital. I never suspected she’d sabotage my surgery. I scrambled to escape, falling from my wheelchair. The door creaked open.
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Chloe’s sister, Chloe, stood there, her phone still lit. A flicker of pity crossed her face. She knelt and lifted me back into my chair.
“I’ll operate on you, okay?”
I thought she was lying, until the successful surgery proved her good intentions.
The next day, Chloe appeared, unaware of the operation.
I rubbed my leg. Chloe instinctively reached
for it, “Leg hurting again?”
I’d never seen Chloe’s kindness since the incident.
I pushed her hand away, pulling the blanket
over my legs.
“What do you want?”
Perhaps my coldness hurt her.
“Ethan Evans, I’m sorry. Don’t be angry,
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<
okay?”
“I’m here to take you home.”
“I’ve had the house fitted with accessibility equipment. You’ll be comfortable.”
Chloe stood by my bed, wheeling my chair closer. Without my consent, a nurse lifted me into the chair. Chloe pushed it forward, describing the accommodations at home.
I almost laughed. If I hadn’t seen Shane’s posts, I might have believed her, been moved. I didn’t resist. I needed recovery, and Chloe’s house was the best option.
But I didn’t expect to see someone else there. Back home, Shane stood waiting. I’d never met him, only heard his name from Chloe’s mother. She said we were polar opposites was sunny, he was quiet and scholarly. She
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– 1
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disliked him, believing he’d used Chloe to
secure a study abroad scholarship.
Chloe didn’t know.
I didn’t mention it. Their relationship wasn’t
my concern. But Shane’s first act was to hurt
me, and deceive Chloe again.
And Chloe was like a fool, played by him.
“Ethan Evans, thank you for forgiving me.”
“It was wrong, but I didn’t order them to
torture you. I just wanted to see you, talk,
they acted on their own! I…”
Shane, with his innocent face, approached
me, explaining.
I didn’t listen.
“When did I forgive you?”
I remembered Chloe’s statement, and looked
at her.
<
She’d forged my forgiveness.
Chloe nervously separated us, pushing me
into my room. Shane followed, docilely. I saw
their hands clasped together.
Back home, I found Chloe’s “accessible”
space was a cramped storage room.
“The doctor said bright, warm rooms aid
recovery, so Lulu gave you her room.”
“You don’t mind?”
