Chapter 4

Chapter 4 People thought I married up with Zachary. But I believed our love was balanced. Ethan saw me as just an ordinary doctor. He never understood the breakthroughs I had achieved in medicine. Zachary did. He once held me close and whispered, "Honey, your research saves lives. That's something money can never do. You're a real superhero." Because of Zachary, I understood what true love meant. It wasn't about one giving and the other taking, but about two people pursuing their dreams together. That's why I never doubted our relationship, no matter what Ethan said. ... But Ethan didn't give up. One day, he appeared in my office with a guitar. He began strumming the song he once used to confess his love—"Look into My Eyes, Eyes Don't Lie." As the familiar tune played, I felt nothing but annoyance. The lyrics were ironic. After we married, he lied to me nearly every day. "Get out," I said sternly. He rushed forward, grabbing my hand. "Sophie, I regret everything. I don't want to lose you! It's all my fault. Please forgive me!" I stared at him coldly. "Did I not make myself clear last time? Being with you is my biggest regret. You know what I'm most thankful for?" His eyes lit up with hope. I crushed it with my next words. "That we never had a child. That was Heaven's one mercy. Please stop bothering me." Right then, his parents arrived and took him back to his room. They apologized profusely. "We're so sorry. He's sick and has caused you trouble. Sophie, is there really no chance between you two?" Looking at my kind in-laws from the last life, I answered earnestly. "I'm married now, with a husband and a son. Even if I weren't, I would never be with Ethan again. I simply don't love him anymore. Please encourage him to focus on treatment and stop disturbing my life." They nodded with deep regret. Soon after, Ethan was transferred to another hospital. He never contacted me again. ... I heard about Ethan again through his mother. "Sophie, he doesn't have long. He wants to see you. Could you come?" I was silent for a long time. Finally, I replied, "Okay." As I hung up, I tried recalling our love from the past life. But I couldn't remember a thing. Time really does erase everything. ... When I saw Ethan again, he was nothing like before. Skinny, sunken cheeks, barely recognizable. His eyes stared blankly out the window until I entered. Then, a faint spark lit up inside him. He looked down at himself and chuckled bitterly. "I must look awful, huh?" I said nothing. He continued, "I was so insecure back then. I poured everything into my music, but only faced failure. I couldn't handle it. I blamed you for everything. Maybe this is karma." "Sophie... if we had another chance... and I treated you right this time... would you choose me again?" he asked again. Looking into his pleading eyes, I shut his fantasy down. "No. Life doesn't hand out second chances so easily," I answered firmly. "And you, Ethan, will never change. You'll never be content." A person like that could relive life a hundred times and still never find happiness. Tears of regret rolled down his face. "No chance at all? I truly know I was wrong." I gave him my final answer. "No chance." I never visited him again. Because I chose to cherish what I had now. ... There was an opportunity for me to study abroad. The dean personally recommended me. When I arrived in Germany, I was shocked to see Zachary and Jason waiting at the airport with flowers. Zachary walked up to me with a big grin and hugged me. "Surprised? You came to study, so Jason and I came to keep you company. Happy?" I nodded. "Yes. Very happy and surprised!" During that exchange program, we visited many beautiful places together. We made wonderful memories. While traveling, I heard news of Ethan's passing. A wave of melancholy swept over me. But the moment I turned around, I saw two figures—one big, one small—running toward me. I opened my arms wide and embraced my future.