Chapter 3

Just then, Olivia pushed the door open, holding a fruit basket. Seeing the tension between us, her eyes flickered, and they immediately reddened. "Isadora, did I come at a bad time? Lysander, did you make Isadora angry again?" She walked to Lysander's side, gently tugging at his sleeve—a natural, intimate gesture, as if they were the couple. Lysander took a deep breath and said to me, "Olivia is just concerned about you. Don't overthink it." "I'm not overthinking it." I picked up the thermal cup Ethan had left and took a slow sip of water. "I just think you two are a good match. Stop dragging me along." "Isadora!" Lysander's voice suddenly rose. "Are you really going to be like this? You have to push me toward someone else?" "You were the one who pushed me away first." I put down the cup, my voice soft but with unprecedented firmness. "Lysander, let's break up." He stood frozen, as if he hadn't heard, his eyes filled with disbelief. Olivia also panicked, grabbing my hand and saying, "Isadora, don't be impulsive! Lysander loves you deeply; he just doesn't know how to express it..." "Love isn't proven by words." I pulled my hand back, looking at Lysander. "If he really loved me, he wouldn't have been by someone else's side when I needed him the most. He wouldn't have blamed me first thing after my car accident. He wouldn't have forgotten about my allergy." Lysander's lips moved, he wanted to say something, but Olivia interrupted him. "Isadora, how can you say that about Lysander? He's had a hard time these past four months too..." "Really?" I looked directly at Lysander. Lysander awkwardly rubbed his nose. I was tired of watching their act. I pushed the covers aside, intending to get out of bed. "I want to be discharged. The smell in here is too strong." Lysander quickly moved to support me, his tone pleading. "Isadora, stop this. The doctor said you need further observation..." "I'm not causing a scene." I pushed his hand away. "From today on, we have nothing to do with each other. Your affairs, Olivia's affairs—none of it concerns me anymore." Ethan arrived while I was packing my things. Seeing Lysander still pestering me, he frowned, walked directly to my side, and took the bag from my hands. "Are you packed? I'll take you to the new place." "Ethan, this is between Isadora and me. Stay out of it!" Lysander blocked our path, his eyes full of anger. "She doesn't want to see you right now." Ethan's tone was calm but carried an undeniable force. "Lysander, if you truly care about her, stop disturbing her." Lysander wanted to say more, but Olivia suddenly started crying and pulled at his arm. "Lysander, let's just go. Don't make Isadora any angrier. It hurts me to see this..." Her crying immediately drew Lysander's attention. He frowned, comforting her. "Alright, alright, don't cry. Let's go." I watched their retreating figures walking side-by-side and suddenly felt an immense sense of release. Ethan patted my shoulder. "Don't be sad. He's not worth it." "I'm not sad." I smiled. "I just feel... finally free." The new place Ethan found for me wasn't far from the hospital and had a small balcony. Ethan said, "The doctor said places with sunlight would be better for your recovery." I sat on the rattan chair on the balcony, watching the traffic below, and suddenly remembered how Lysander had once promised to buy me a place with a balcony. In the end, it was just empty words. "There's a lead regarding the car accident." Ethan handed me a glass of warm water. "My friend checked the surveillance footage. Olivia was seen in the parking lot near your car a few minutes before you drove off." My hand tightened suddenly, splashing water from the glass. So it really was her. "Don't worry," Ethan handed me a tissue, "I've already given the evidence to the police. They'll investigate." I looked at him, suddenly feeling guilty. "Ethan, thank you. I'm always causing you trouble." "Aren't we friends?" He smiled, the warmth in his eyes like sunlight. "Besides, I've been looking out for you since we were kids. It's a habit." That night, I slept soundly. No nightmares, no arguments, just the occasional chirping of crickets outside the window.