The wind howled outside the window. It was so chilly that Wynter couldn't help but shrink further under the covers.

Noticing her discomfort, Ewan immediately got up and shut the windows. As he looked at the chaotic gusts swirling across the courtyard, Nova's figure appeared in his mind for some reason.

She'd looked so thin and frail today, as if the wind could blow her away at any moment. Just by looking at her, he could almost feel her pain himself.

If he'd chosen to give her the anesthesia back then, would she not have had to endure so much pain?

Once the thought surfaced, Ewan slapped his head and forced himself to stop thinking. If he'd chosen Nova, Wynter would now be the one suffering. 

Wynter had always been sensitive to pain. Nova surely would understand why he had made that choice.

After Ewan convinced himself, his gentle gaze fell on Wynter. Then, he leaned in and planted

Hearing the housekeeper's words, Ewan glanced around the room and noticed that the once warm and cozy room was left with an empty bedframe.

His pupils constricted. With a violent kick, he overturned a chair nearby.

His knuckles were pale, and veins bulged at his temples as he bellowed, "Nova, you've grown bold! How dare you pull this running-away-from-home act!"

The butler cautiously asked, "Mr. Shaw, would you like to send our men to search for Ms. Sterling?"

"No need. If I do, it'll be exactly what she wants! I'll ignore her, and she'll be back within three days!" he fumed. 

…

In the days that followed, Ewan busied himself with wedding preparations. He selected everything from the bridal bouquet to wedding rings, pouring all his care and effort into them.

The following day would be his big day with Wynter, but Nova hadn't shown up even once. There was not even a single message f

Ewan's expression changed drastically as he dashed out of the villa at once.

When Nova arrived at the hospital, the doctor had just stepped out of the emergency room.

He gave Ewan a grave look and announced, "Ms. Linwood's condition is critical. The kidney transplant shall be moved up to begin in 30 minutes. Could you please contact the donor and ask if they can come sooner?"

Before Ewan could respond, Nova's voice came from behind. "I can!"

Nova approached as she clutched the side of her face that still stung from the slap. Her heart now felt numb and free of hesitation.

All she wanted was to leave Ewan and the Shaws as soon as possible, cut all ties, and never look back.

A complicated look flickered in Ewan's eyes, and he murmured, "Thanks."

Nova didn't respond. Instead, she unlocked her phone and changed her flight to that afternoon.

30 minutes later, she lay on the operating table. Instead of fear, all she could feel was relief and freedom.

Just as she lay down, a nurse dashed in panickedly. "We have a problem. The anesthesia is used up, and now there's only enough for one patient!"

The doctor took off his gloves and frowned before stepping outside to speak with Ewan. 

A moment later, Nova heard Ewan's firm, decisive voice. "Wynter is weak. She can't go without anesthesia."

…

When the doctor returned, his eyes held nothing but sympathy for her. "You won't receive anesthesia for this surgery, Ms. Sterling. If you're unable to proceed, you can choose to back out."

"No need. I can endure it," Nova replied. 

Although Nova had expected the outcome, her heart still chilled at the confirmation. Ewan, her only family, had made the same choice, though she'd never hurt anyone.

The doctor said no more and kept murmuring words of comfort at her side. 

The surgery was agony. Without anesthesia, every cut was excruciatingly painful.

Nova's veins bulged, and her forehead was beaded with sweat. Though she bit down hard, she couldn't hold back a scream.

By the time the surgery was over, she'd long passed out from the pain.

…

When Nova woke up, her ward was empty. Only a nurse came in to change her bandages and cast her a look of concern. "Ms. Sterling, you're awake. Your uncle was really heartless to have you go through the surgery without anesthesia, just for the sake of his girlfriend."

Nova merely responded with a faint, ghostly smile without saying a word. When the nurse left, she checked the time on her phone.

There were two hours left. It would be just enough for her to grab her luggage and head to the airport.

She let out a quiet breath of relief and tried to get out of bed, but pain struck her like tidal waves. It was a searing, bone-deep agony as if countless blades were slashing in her body with each heartbeat.

Still, the thought of leaving Ewan made her grit her teeth and get out by pressing on the bed rail.

After changing out of her hospital gown with great difficulty, she pulled out the termination-of-relationship letter she'd long prepared. Then, she made her way slowly toward Wynter's ward.

…

In the ward, Ewan watched the sleeping Wynter and was completely unaware of Nova's entry. It wasn't until she held out the letter to him that he finally noticed her.

As he read its contents, his expression darkened. He lowered his voice and hissed, "What's this supposed to mean? Are you serious about cutting ties with me?

"I told you that nothing's ever gonna happen between us. Why are you still clinging to this fantasy?"

Nova was in so much pain that her forehead was covered in sweat. Gritting her teeth, she forced the words out of her mouth. "You promised."

Ewan looked at her sickly complexion and somehow felt a wave of irritation. After a moment, he took the pen and paper from her and signed his name.

Nova was finally relieved. She turned and limped to leave.

But Ewan frowned and asked, "You just had surgery, and you're so weak. Why aren't you resting in your hospital gown? Where are you going all dressed up?"

Nova swallowed bitterly. Her thin frame looked like it could collapse at any moment. "The hospital's too stuffy. I just want some fresh air."

Ewan watched her leave, and for once, he said something that sounded like concern, "It's windy outside. Come back soon."

Nova replied with a soft hum, but deep down, she murmured, "I'm not coming back, Ewan."

She picked up her luggage and dragged her wounded body to the airport before boarding the flight to Westhrope.

As sunlight poured through the cabin and onto her frail silhouette, she turned and looked back at the city one last time. "Goodbye, to the city I've lived in for 12 years. Goodbye, Ewan."

The wind howled outside the window. It was so chilly that Wynter couldn't help but shrink further under the covers.

Noticing her discomfort, Ewan immediately got up and shut the windows. As he looked at the chaotic gusts swirling across the courtyard, Nova's figure appeared in his mind for some reason.

She'd looked so thin and frail today, as if the wind could blow her away at any moment. Just by looking at her, he could almost feel her pain himself.

If he'd chosen to give her the anesthesia back then, would she not have had to endure so much pain?

Once the thought surfaced, Ewan slapped his head and forced himself to stop thinking. If he'd chosen Nova, Wynter would now be the one suffering. 

Wynter had always been sensitive to pain. Nova surely would understand why he had made that choice.

After Ewan convinced himself, his gentle gaze fell on Wynter. Then, he leaned in and planted a deep kiss on her forehead.

…

Five days later, Wynter was discharged from the hospital. 

It was

Chapter 8