10
crushing it.
Ethan’s face paled visibly. His grip on the phone tightened, almost
Natalie knew about
about his wedding with Chloe! Did she hear him on the phone? When? Ethan felt a jolt, as if his blood had turned to ice. Panic threatened to overwhelm him. His mind went blank, desperately searching for something.
Suddenly, he remembered a night a month ago. He was on the phone with Chloe’s father to discuss the wedding. Then he turned and saw Natalie’s ashen face. At that time, he assumed she was just upset because he hadn’t spent enough time with her.
Now, he realized she’d probably heard everything!
This idea choked him. His hands trembled as he fought to control his emotions. He typed like crazy to explain, but the message wouldn’t go out. She had blocked him!
His pupils constricted. Without hesitation, he called Natalie. Failed again. He tried every other method he could think of, but the results were same.
A wave of suffocating
nausea
washed over Ethan; every vein throbbed with pain.
When he passed the hospital entrance, a surgical colleague saw him and exclaimed, “Dr. Riley, what happened to you?”
Ethan’s eyes were bloodshot eyes, his whole being radiating fury.
Ethan didn’t reply, his eyes blazing as he raced home.
The apartment was frigid, devoid of warmth. He went to the bedroom; it was empty. He opened the closet; only his clothes were there. All of Natalie’s belongings were gone! She needn’t have taken so many things with her on this tour, need she?
He searched every corner of the apartment. Every trace of Natalie was erased. Her favorite pillow, their wall of shared memories they all vanished!
—
He rushed to her studio, but the room, once overflowing with her sketches and handmade crafts, was now empty.
Ethan stumbled back, collapsing onto the sofa. Panic spread like wildfire, sharp pain seizing him. She’d even taken her most cherished things!
She was serious. She really was done with him.
His hands trembled as he reached for his phone, intending to call someone, anyone, to find her. But as he unlocked his phone, he realized… he didn’t know anyone in her life. He didn’t know a single friend of hers. He tried her parents‘ number; it went straight to voicemail.
Ethan dropped his phone, covering his face with his hands. He shook uncontrollably. How could he have been so negligent that he had no idea she was leaving?
The next day, Ethan went to Natalie’s company. The online drama about the three of them had been huge; he’d managed to suppress much of it. But Natalie’s close friend, Summer, recognized him instantly. Ethan looked like someone who hadn’t slept for days. He was no longer that handsome, decent and aloof doctor.
“Hi, do you know me? Can you get in touch with Natalie?”
Summer sipped her coffee, smiling sweetly.“Of course I know you. Natalie’s abroad for her training program.” Ethan’s eyes narrowed.“Training program?”
“Yes, she made the decision a month ago. You didn’t know that? Aren’t you her boyfriend?” “Oh, I almost forgot. You’re her ex–boyfriend. No wonder she didn’t tell you.” Summer said, delivering a final, sharp blow.
08:21
