Chapter 4

Once the lights dimmed, the performance began. As the main dancer, Zoe was positioned right in the middle of the stage. Elliot was seated in the front row. His entire attention was focused on her as a ghost of a smile played on his lips. Meanwhile, Mabel was seated in the very last row. However, her eyes were fixed on Elliot. It was still hard for her to believe how much he looked like Luther. Tragedy struck in the next second. The chandelier installed above the stage suddenly plummeted down and was about to crush Zoe. In a split second, a figure lunged forward. Elliot didn't hesitate at all as he rushed up the stage and tackled Zoe, using his own body to shield her. The chandelier smashed against his back, sending the shattered glass flying in all directions. Fresh blood stained his military uniform red in a matter of seconds. The entire auditorium was plunged into chaos. Elliot and Zoe were rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. As Elliot's family, Mabel was responsible for signing the relevant documents. She was about to leave after signing the papers when the nurse called out and stopped her. "Please wait a moment. Colonel Foster has been asking for you. You should pay him a visit as soon as possible." Mabel was momentarily stunned before she entered the operating room. Elliot was as pale as a sheet, and his forehead was covered in a sheen of cold sweat. However, he was strangely lucid despite his condition. He grabbed Mabel's hand and said hoarsely, "Take care of Zoe… I don't know when I'll wake up. She's scared of blood and gets squeamish easily. You need to stay by her side and take care of her at all times…" As Mabel studied his anxious expression, she suddenly recalled how Luther had been just like this once. When she'd had a persistent fever, he'd kept vigil by her side for three days and three nights without any sleep. He hadn't hesitated to use his connections and have himself transferred to the provincial capital, all so he could personally take care of her. It seemed like everyone became selfless once they fell in love with someone. She nodded. "Okay." Mabel barely slept for the next three days and three nights. She moved back and forth between the two hospital rooms, wiping Elliot's face and also observing the speed of Zoe's IV drip. The nurses praised her for being an exemplary family member, but only she knew that she was simply biding her time, waiting for the last few days to pass until her divorce certificate was ready. Elliot coughed before shifting around on the bed. Mabel hurriedly set down the towel, but the first thing he said after opening his eyes was, "Where's Zoe?" Mabel hadn't slept at all for the last few days, causing the skin under her eyes to look bruised. "She's already awake. She's in the room next door," she said calmly. Elliot frowned. "Didn't I tell you to watch over her? Why are you here with me?" Mabel was rendered speechless by his questions. Elliot's tone turned even icier when she remained silent. "She's scared of blood, and her body is weak. How could you leave her alone? What good are you if you can't even follow such simple instructions?" He shoved Mabel away before tossing the blankets aside and getting out of bed. Caught off guard by his sudden push, Mabel staggered backward and hit her forehead on the corner of the table. A sharp pain exploded through her from the point of impact, and something warm flowed down from her forehead. Elliot didn't spare her a single glance as he left the room. He probably didn't even realize that she was injured. Using the table for support, Mabel slowly pushed herself back up to her feet. She raised her hand and wiped the blood away before quietly making her way to the nurses' station. The divorce application should be approved any day now, so after Mabel had her wound bandaged, she went home and began to pack her belongings into suitcases. In the deepest corner of the wardrobe was a cardboard box, neatly packed with all the gifts she'd given Elliot over the years. There was a layer of dust on the dial of the watch she'd given him last year for his birthday. Two years ago, she'd given him a fountain pen for their anniversary, but he hadn't even installed the ink cartridge yet. During their first year of marriage, she'd secretly knitted a sweater for him, but he'd never even worn it. Mabel threw all the gifts into the trash.