9
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At the hospital, Ethan and Chloe’s family anxiously waited outside the treatment room. Chloe’s mother clung to her father, her face etched with worry.
Chloe’s father sighed, looking at Ethan. “Ethan, we owe you one. Chloe wouldn’t have cooperated if agreed to marry her.”
you hadn’t
Chloe’s brother, Mark, offered Ethan a cigarette.“Yeah, my parents are finally at peace. Thanks, dude.” Ethan’s brow furrowed slightly. He didn’t take the cigarette, because I didn’t like the smell lingering on him. He corrected them.“It was a sham marriage. Please don’t think of me as her husband.” Their faces fell. The door opened. The doctor came out with a relieved smile on his face.“The treatment was successful. The patient is stable.”
Chloe’s parents rushed to see her. Mark didn’t follow. After a moment of silence, he turned to Ethan.“Ethan, maybe we should just make it real. My parents really like you.”
Ethan’s brow creased; his tone hardened. “Mark, don’t be ridiculous. We agreed I was just doing this to help Chloe with her treatment. Besides, my girlfriend is Natalie.”
Mark’s hand, which was holding the cigarette, trembled. “You know how Chloe feels about you. She’s always…” Ethan interrupted him.“I told Chloe I loved Natalie. I only think of Chloe as a sister.” Mark didn’t believe him.“But you’ve always been so nice to her.”
Ethan’s voice was calm but firm.“Chloe is my patient, and we’ve known each other since childhood. I care about her, but it’s not love.”
Mark tried to speak, but Ethan patted his shoulder. “Don’t come to me for Chloe again. Natalie will be upset. I have to go.”
Ethan turned to leave.
“Aren’t you going to see Chloe?” Mark called out..
“No, I’m going home.”
Ethan didn’t look back, heading towards his office.
The first thing he did was to remove his groom’s attire and hang it in the closet. During the wedding rehearsal, all he could think about was Natalie.
That wedding dress was stunning – the fabric shimmered under the lights. The seashell headpiece was the perfect touch. It was the most beautiful dress he’d ever seen. It looked great on Chloe, but he knew instinctively that the dress was made for Natalie. For a moment, under the lights, he’d thought it was his wedding to Natalie. The thought made him smile.
“If it weren’t for Chloe, today would’ve been my wedding with Natalie,”
Natalie,” he murmured.
Thinking of Natalie softened his features. He wondered if she’d landed.
He reached for his phone, only to find it dead. He plugged it in, then he was called away to a meeting with the director.
On the way back, he passed a ward where a proposal was taking place. A wave of warmth washed over him; he remembered his proposal to Natalie.
He quickened his pace back to his office. He picked up his phone, seeing Natalie’s message at the top of his screen. A smile touched his lips.
Then, he saw the words. His smile faded…
08:21
