Chapter 3

Chapter 3 There was no need to hide the truth. Zachary's mother was hospitalized in our hospital due to heart disease, and I just happened to be her attending physician. Zachary and I often communicated because of his mother's condition, and that's how we got to know each other. He admired my dedication to every patient, as well as my pursuit of professionalism and academic excellence in medicine. Thus, he decisively began to pursue me. I had noticed his filial piety toward his mother, and I had a good impression of him. The day Zachary formally confessed to me, I asked him a few questions. 'Do you want children?" 'Yes, I want children. Although I could say nice things now, like respecting your wishes, I want to answer you truthfully. My dream is a happy family of three," he replied. 'Will you stop me from continuing my medical research?" He sincerely shook his head and replied, 'No, not at all. Not all of one's energy is spent on family—there is also society and self. I am willing to support everything you want to do." 'Last question: Will you regret it?" He smiled. 'I, Zachary, never regret." That day, I agreed to give it a try, to give both him and myself a chance for a fresh start. Later, we naturally fell in love and got married. The wedding was very low-key—just a simple ceremony, with a few relatives and friends we knew. After hearing my story, Ethan's eyes unconsciously reddened. 'Is that little boy really your child?" he asked. 'But didn't you say before that you only wanted to have children with me? How could you have a child with another man now?" His words left me somewhat speechless, and I could only remind him with his own words. 'Ethan, the past is already gone. Stop reminiscing about it, okay? The vows of the past don't need to be taken seriously in this life." 'When we both agreed to break up, neither our past selves nor our current selves had any connection. That was the best arrangement, don't you think?" I added. 'Besides, in the past life, you regretted being with me and didn't want to have children with me. I couldn't accept that kind of life." Ethan angrily shouted, 'I regretted it because you never supported me! You sent emails to those music publishers telling them not to include my songs!" At these words, I was immediately puzzled. 'What are you talking about? I don't understand! I never sent any emails. Back then, I worked three jobs a day to support your music dreams. I didn't have time for such nonsense. And I wanted you to succeed more than anyone. Didn't you feel that in the past life?" The moment I said this, it was like a thunderclap. Ethan stood frozen in shock. As if struck by some huge blow, he instinctively covered his mouth, unable to accept this reality, and continued to question me. 'Then why didn't you buy a guitar when I asked you to?" Now I started to understand what Ethan meant when he left that sentence unfinished at the class reunion. 'Do you think we had money at home? Back then, when your father was ill, our family almost spent all our savings on his medical bills. Do you think we had anything left for a guitar except for food money?" I retorted. Ethan was completely in despair. He mumbled to himself, 'No way. Lyra said it was you who sent emails to those companies, so I've never succeeded. It's because you didn't want to see me succeed, afraid that I would leave you once I became successful…" If the events of our past life had made me feel disappointment and pain, then at this moment, I was truly completely disillusioned with the feelings I had in my past life. 'We were together for so many years, and a random word from someone can negate all my efforts. Don't you think you're ridiculous?" I sighed. 'My husband and son are still waiting for me. I'm leaving now." Ethan anxiously asked from behind, 'Sophie, do you still love me?" I shook my head firmly. 'The love from the past life has long been put down. I love my husband and my son more now." I didn't understand why he would ask such a question. After all, he had always said that there was no need to dwell on past people and events. And I had truly let go completely. Just a month later, Lyra's father made headlines for tax evasion, using cheap materials in construction, data fraud, and bribing local officials. When I heard the news, I was stunned. The once proud heiress now looked utterly defeated on camera. Her assets were frozen by the court, and she had no home to return to. Her father, facing a slew of charges, would likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Worse, many ordinary families had poured their life savings into homes that turned out to be poorly constructed deathtraps. I sighed when I read the report. "Shameless. Business without conscience." Zachary, looking wronged, added, "Honey, don't lump me in with them. I have a conscience." I smiled softly at him. Zachary always insisted on offering the best value. His hotels, real estate, and products used top-quality materials sold at the most affordable prices. That was why his company earned its reputation and continued to thrive. "When you respect consumers, they return the favor," he said quietly. Unlike Lyra's father, who profited by cutting corners and putting lives at risk. That kind of cruelty was unforgivable. ... Not long after, I got a call from an unknown number. I hesitated, but answered. It was Ethan. "Did you see the news? That was me. I turned them in." I frowned. "Why are you telling me this? Well, thanks on behalf of the people." His voice sounded weak. "Sophie, can I see you one more time?" I responded firmly, "I told you, I've moved on. You don't need to—" A violent cough cut me off. He laughed bitterly. "I got checked recently... stage four lung cancer. Sophie, will you meet me?" The news hit me like a brick wall. After a long silence, I answered hoarsely, "Bring your medical report to my hospital." That afternoon, Ethan stepped into my office looking frail and gaunt. He laid his report on my desk. I flipped through it, my brow furrowed. "You need to be hospitalized as soon as possible. Cooperate with treatment," I said. I happened to have no cases that day, so I helped him get admitted. Once settled, he looked at me with red eyes, barely holding himself up. "Sophie, I knew you wouldn't abandon me. You still care, right? I was wrong about everything. In our last life, you treated me so well, and I treated you terribly. I see that now. I have no regrets about being with you. Please forgive me. Can we start over? We can have the child you always wanted," he said, his voice pleading. I frowned as I looked at him, saying, "Look, I hope you understand. The moment we were reborn, we completely broke up. Now I have a new family, a child of my own. I hope you won't say these things anymore." He shook his head in disbelief. "You must still have feelings for me, or you wouldn't have helped. How can years of love vanish just like that? You're just angry. Please don't be. I know I was wrong." I gave a cold smile and shook off his hand. "I helped because of our years together. If my actions gave you the wrong idea, I apologize. Call your parents to care for you." "Also, marrying you in our last life is my biggest regret. I don't love you anymore, and I never want to have your child. Please stop clinging to a past I've left behind," I added. He stood frozen, his face full of pain. I turned and walked out. Behind me, he shouted, "All men are the same! You think Zachary truly loves you? What Alpha from New York would want a nobody like you? Wake up! You'll never be happy! I'm the one you belong with!" His words made me quicken my pace. He was the same as always—looking down on those beneath him when he had the upper hand, and dragging others down when he was low. A man like that would never find peace.