Chapter 4: Left in the Storm

On the coastal highway, Ethan’s friend Derek called. The second Ethan answered, his face changed and he pulled over. The wipers thudded a slow beat in the silence.

“Natalie, Aubrey’s missing.”

“She’s been crying since we left the hotel, then ran out into the rain.”

“I’m going back. You take a cab to the airport.”

I stared at the downpour, then looked at him, desperate. “Ethan, I can’t breathe. My asthma’s bad. Please take me to the hospital first?”

Ethan—if you come with me now, I’ll believe you still care. That you don’t love Aubrey.

But all I saw was impatience and coldness. He sneered.

“Natalie, you think I’m stupid? Faking an asthma attack—how childish.”

I froze, hands shaking, the unfairness crashing over me, bitter as the rain.

When I didn’t move, he lost patience and yanked open the passenger door.

“Natalie, don’t make this harder. Aubrey saved my life. I can’t just leave her.”

I forced a bitter smile.

Aubrey is my father’s illegitimate daughter. Sophomore year of high school, after my mom died, my dad brought Aubrey and her mom into our home.

In college, she studied finance with Ethan, right under his nose.

Six months ago, Ethan had a car accident. The hospital’s blood bank was low. I donated 800ml, but it wasn’t enough. Aubrey found out she was a match and gave him 200ml.

Rain hammered me as I stepped out, sucking in a cold breath. The air burned my lungs, every step harder. Cars splashed by, puddles everywhere. Somewhere far off, sirens wailed.

Ethan pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, voice low. “Wait by the road. I’ll have Derek pick you up.”

It wasn’t the first time Ethan left me stranded.

But watching his car speed away, it felt like someone squeezed my heart until I could barely breathe. My suitcase slipped from my hand, splashing into a puddle. I barely noticed. All I could feel was the emptiness where hope used to be. I hugged myself, shrinking against the storm, wishing I could disappear.