Chapter 42

Sean POV

When I saw that car speeding toward Angela, my heart stopped. Time seemed to freeze for a split second as my mind went blank. I didn't think. I didn't hesitate. I just moved.

My legs propelled me forward as if they had a mind of their own. There was no question in my head-I couldn't let her get hurt.

I reached her just as she froze in the middle of the street, too caught in her thoughts to move. Without a second thought, I grabbed her, yanking her into my arms. We both fell to the ground, the impact of the fall sharp against the pavement.

For a moment, all I could hear was the rush of blood in my ears, my breath ragged as I clutched her to me.

I was afraid to let go, afraid to check if she was okay, afraid that if I did, she might be hurt. But I could feel her-her soft, warm body pressed tightly against mine, her breath a steady rhythm under my fingers.

I held her tighter, relief flooding through me in waves.

I couldn't get rid of the images from the seconds before. The car coming straight for her. The way she hadn't seen it. The fear that had clenched my chest so tightly I couldn't breathe.

But as I held her, my mind began to calm.

She was okay.

She was real.

She was safe.

I even felt the warmth of her lips brush against my throat, soft and almost hesitant, like she didn't realize what had just happened.

The world around us started to return to normal. I was aware of the whispers, the murmurs of the onlookers who had gathered.

"Are you two alright?" A voice from the crowd.

I barely acknowledged them, my focus only on Angela. I could still feel the heat of her body in my arms, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath.

My fingers tightened around her, and I couldn't let go-not yet.

When we finally got to our feet, I made sure to keep my hand firmly wrapped around hers. The grip was tighter than necessary, but I didn't care.

As I stood there, my mind still racing from the events that had just unfolded, Angela's voice broke through the haze.

"Your shoulder... it's bleeding."

It wasn't until she spoke that I felt a sharp, insistent pain shooting from my left shoulder.

But the pain in my shoulder was nothing compared to the fear of losing her.

She was apologizing again, her voice soft, uncertain. "I'm so sorry, Sean..."

I wanted to tell her that it wasn't anger I was feeling, that I wasn't mad at her. I wasn't angry at all. What I was, was terrified.

Our two years of marriage had been a lie.

But the memories we shared-the countless moments where we laughed together, where we comforted each other-those were real.

We'd known each other for so long-since we were kids, sharing secrets and dreams, seeing each other at our worst and our best.

Even now, as we were about to part ways, I couldn't imagine my life without her in it.

"I wasn't paying attention. I just I was so worried about Elizabeth, and I" Angela explained.

"I can understand!"

I could see the truth in her eyes. I knew she cared for Elizabeth, just as much as I did. Their bond was undeniable-one forged over years of friendship and shared moments.

I also understood why.

Angela had lost her mother when she was young, and I often wondered if Elizabeth's care for her had filled that void, even if just a little.

I remembered before we even got married, how Elizabeth had shared advice with Angela-advice on dealing with things like menstrual pain, things women often discuss among themselves in private.

It was those small, intimate exchanges that spoke to the closeness they shared.

When Elizabeth found out I was going to marry Angela, her concern was less about the wedding itself and more about me-she wanted to make sure I would treat Angela well, that I wouldn't hurt her.

But if Elizabeth knew the truth, if she knew this marriage was just a formality, a lie we'd been living... I couldn't help but think that two years ago, she would never have supported it. She would've seen right through us.

It hurt to think about that-how we had deceived the people closest to us, how we had played this role without ever being honest. But Angela and I were too deep in it now, tangled in the mess we'd created.

And if Elizabeth ever found out... I couldn't bear to think of the disappointment in her eyes.

When we arrived at the sanatorium, the doctor looked at me with a bit of surprise but quickly composed himself.

I could only imagine how bad I looked-probably like a zombie. I hadn't slept at all last night, dark circles under my eyes, and I hadn't shaved in two days. On top of that, Angela and Elizabeth had almost scared me half to death today.

"Elizabeth fainted because of the stress. Her vital signs are normal, and there's nothing else to worry about," the doctor said.

Both Angela and I let out a relieved breath.

But then the doctor added, "That said, given her current mental state, it's not ideal to perform surgery right now."

"What can we do? Is there a solution?" Angela asked, her voice filled with worry.

"We'll start her on medication to help stabilize her, but you'll also need to support her emotionally," the doctor explained.

Angela pressed her lips together, clearly troubled by the news.

I stepped closer and took her hand. "We'll help her get through this. Let's go see her now."

Angela nodded, then suddenly paused.

"Wait, let the nurse clean the wound on your shoulder first."