I glared at Nora, ready to fight.
"Shut up, or I'll slap you!"
She let out a small laugh.
"With what hand? Your right hand is bandaged. I doubt you have the strength to do it."
I lifted my left hand, ready to strike her face—
Blood.
I froze.
Nora had slammed her own head against the table and collapsed onto the floor. Her scream echoed through the room.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Ethan appeared. His gaze immediately landed on the blood trickling from Nora’s temple.
"Nora!" Ethan ran over, kneeling beside her.
Nora sobbed, her hands trembling. "Ethan... she was angry… I was scared… Zoey said I took her place. Maybe because Jackson refuses to call her Mom, she got jealous of me."
I gasped. "She's lying! I didn’t—"
"Enough!" Ethan's voice exploded. "Nora came here to help you recover. Can’t you see that?"
I stared at him, my chest rising and falling as the fury inside me burned.
"Fine. But why does it have to be Nora?" My voice was low and cold. "Why is everything happening so suddenly?"
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
I stepped closer.
"My accident. My baby’s death. And Jackson suddenly appeared in our lives. You want me to believe all of this is just a coincidence?"
Ethan took a sharp breath, his expression hardening. "Zoey, stop. This is fate. Who would want an accident? Who would want to lose their baby? Do you think I’m not hurting?"
I let out a bitter laugh. "If you're hurting, then why am I the only one left to bear it alone?"
"Enough!"
A hard shove hit my shoulder. I stumbled.
Pain shot through my abdomen.
I looked down—my gown was wet.
Blood.
My surgical wound had reopened.
Ethan stiffened, his face turning pale. He reached for me, but Nora's voice stopped him.
"Ethan… my head hurts… I can’t take it…" Nora sobbed weakly.
Just then, Jackson ran in, his eyes widening at the sight of blood on Nora's face.
"Mom! Why are you hurt?" Jackson rushed over, panic written all over his face before turning to me with a look filled with hatred.
"You!" His voice trembled. "You must've hurt Mom! You're evil!"
I shook my head weakly, but my voice was trapped in my throat.
Ethan didn’t think twice. He immediately lifted Nora—without hesitation, without even glancing back at me.
Meanwhile, I stood there, swaying, as warm blood continued to seep, dripping from my body onto the cold floor.
****
I sat on the hospital bed, staring at the fresh bandages wrapped around my abdomen. My surgical wound had reopened—just like the wound in my heart that never truly healed.
My phone vibrated. Ethan’s name.
I picked up.
"Zoey, where are you?" His voice was frantic.
I smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Ethan."
"Don't lie. I know you're hurt."
I swallowed hard. "Just a small wound."
But the much deeper wound was in my heart.
Ethan fell silent for a moment. Then his voice softened.
"Zoey… I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have—"
I waited.
"To make up for everything… our wedding anniversary is coming up. I’ll throw a grand party for you."
I froze.
The anniversary I had always looked forward to.
I once dreamed of celebrating it while holding my little baby. Now, all that remained was emptiness.
I took a deep breath, then let out a small chuckle. "Really? You want to throw a party for me?"
"Yes. I want to make you happy."
How ironic. It took three years and losing everything for you to finally want to make me happy?
But I hid the bitterness in my voice.
"Alright! I can’t wait for your surprise, Ethan. I’ll stay at a hotel for a while… and prepare a gift for you."
"It won’t be a problem, right? If I don’t see Jackson first? And Nora…" I sighed softly. "I’ll buy her a gift too. As an apology."
Ethan paused. "Are you sure? Will you be alright at the hotel alone?"
I chuckled. "Don’t worry. I just want to prepare in peace. I’ll be there… and I’ll bring a surprise for you all."
Silence.
"Alright… I’ll be waiting, Zoey."
I ended the call, staring at the screen as it slowly dimmed.
Moments later, my phone vibrated again. Mr. Gerald’s name appeared on the screen.
"Everything is ready," he said briefly.
I nodded slowly. "Thank you."
Then, I booked a flight ticket.
A single ticket.
To somewhere far away from here.
****
The day had arrived.
Music filled the air, lively and grand. Crystal glasses clinked in celebration. The chandeliers cast a dazzling glow over the guests.
But one thing was missing from this party.
Me.
In the middle of the room, Ethan stood restlessly. His eyes scanned every corner, searching for the one person who should have been there.
He reached for his phone, dialing my number once again.
The dial tone rang endlessly.
No answer.
His jaw tightened. His grip on the phone grew firm.
Then, someone tapped his shoulder.
"Ethan..." His friend’s voice was cautious.
Ethan turned quickly, his face filled with hope. But all he received was a white envelope being handed to him.
"I've looked everywhere. Zoey isn’t here."
Ethan’s world seemed to stop. "What do you mean? Zoey said she would come. She was preparing a surprise for tonight!"
His friend gave him a heavy look. "She did leave something. This… is from the hotel."
Ethan stared at the envelope. His hands trembled as he tore open the seal.
His eyes immediately caught the words on the paper.
Just one sentence.
[I’m leaving. Don’t ever look for me again, Ethan.]
And beneath it… my signature.
Along with neatly attached divorce papers.
His knees weakened. His breath caught in his throat.
The clinking of glasses, the soft piano, the laughter of the guests—everything suddenly felt like torture to his ears.
The world tilted beneath his feet.
His hands clutched the letter tightly, as if squeezing it hard enough could somehow turn back time.
But the reality was… I was already gone.
And this was my anniversary gift to him.
For the last time.
Happy anniversary, Ethan. Enjoy your party… without me.
