Luckily, Ethan only suffered superficial injuries. The car had been stopped just in time, making the impact minimal.

He had lost considerable blood on the pavement, but his vital signs remained stable. Still, his physician strongly recommended an overnight hospital stay for observation.

After delivering his instructions, the doctor departed, leaving Ethan and Elizabeth alone in the room.

Elizabeth arranged the admission forms, receipts, and prescribed medications neatly on his bedside table. "Here are your admission papers, receipts, and the medications you'll need—both oral and topical. Also, your phone is shattered," she informed him.

Ethan's gaze met hers, distant and detached.

"Do you need to borrow my phone to contact the Levines?" Elizabeth offered, extending her device toward him.

"No," he declined, shaking his head.

She didn't press further. He never liked troubling the Levines, always careful to maintain his unburdensome image.

"Should I arrange for a care worker?" Elizabeth asked.

Ethan refused. "It's unnecessary. The injuries aren't that severe."

"Alright," she nodded. "I'll take my leave if there's nothing else you require."

As she turned toward the door, his voice stopped her. "Elizabeth."

She glanced back, and he said, "You should have your palm examined."

When he had pushed her away earlier, she'd fallen hands-first onto the pavement, leaving her skin red and abraded.

"I will," she replied.

"Right now, you—"

Elizabeth's phone rang abruptly, cutting him off. Ethan fell silent.

Answering the call, her expression softened. "You're already here?" A smile graced her lips, starkly different from her reserved demeanor around him.

Ethan averted his eyes, listening to her brief exchange.

After ending the call and tucking her phone away, she prompted, "What were you going to say?"

"Nothing," he murmured, shaking his head.

Elizabeth's brow furrowed slightly, so he added, "It's quite late. Be careful heading home."

"My boyfriend is picking me up," she stated bluntly.

Though Ethan knew she was with Nathan now, the word 'boyfriend' sent a sharp, unexpected pain through his chest. It stole his breath.

Nevertheless, Ethan managed a faint smile. "Okay."

Studying his strained expression, Elizabeth asked, "Does it please you? Knowing I have a boyfriend now?"

She smiled too, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You've finally rid yourself of a major burden."

"Actually, I—"

"Don't worry. I'm doing far better than either of us imagined. Looking back now, all my previous stubbornness... it wasn't worth it."

Her tone remained calm, almost conversational, yet her words laid everything bare.

Ethan listened in silence, hearing the underlying contempt beneath her composed delivery.

Having said her piece, Elizabeth turned and left without a backward glance.

He watched her retreating figure until his vision blurred.

Soon, a month had passed since Andrew's birthday.