Chapter 3

Ungrateful?

While I was hanging by a thread, facing the reality that I might be a cripple for the rest of my life, Claire was keeping Julian company.

All just to make up for his ruined birthday celebration.

I stayed in the hospital for another two days. My legs still had no feeling, and I relied entirely on the nursing staff.

Refusing to accept my fate, I tried to grab onto the bedside table to stand up, but I crashed heavily to the floor, busting my forehead open. Blood dripped down my face.

"I'm going to be a cripple for the rest of my life."

I broke down completely, sobbing on the sterile floor.

The nurse rushed in and helped me up.

"You just had major surgery. Recovery takes time. Don't rush it."

But depression suffocated me like a dark cloud.

The hospital assigned a psychotherapist to help me process the trauma and despair.

It took a long time, but my mental state slowly stabilized.

Perhaps the emotional improvement helped, because the doctor later gave me some surprising news.

"Ethan, your recovery is going better than expected. You might actually have a chance at a full recovery."

Right around that time, Claire finally remembered to have her personal assistant, Daniel Brooks, handle the accident and medical bills.

Daniel walked into my room holding the hospital invoices. The moment he saw my name, he froze completely.

"Mr. Carter? It was... you?"

I sat there, probably looking pale as a ghost. I asked him quietly, "I saw Julian's post today. He and Claire scuba diving in the Caribbean. How romantic."

Daniel broke into a nervous sweat.

"Claire is going to offer you a personal injury settlement through her lawyers. But since you're her husband, I doubt it'll come to this."

His voice grew quieter.

I had always treated him well, so he clearly felt guilty bringing this up.

After a moment, he added cautiously, "There's something else. Before I came here, Julian specifically told me to pay the bills and leave immediately. He told me not to meet the victim."

My mind buzzed. I immediately dialed Julian's number.

He picked up quickly. Before I could even speak, he drawled lazily, "Ethan. Didn't you just cheat death? Why are you calling me instead of resting?"

He knew everything.

"You're a cripple now, Ethan. What leverage do you think you have?"

"Claire and I have been having a great time these past few days. She doesn't even let me mention you. She says hearing your name brings bad luck."

I sucked in a sharp breath, my fingers gripping the phone tight.

"You knew it was me in that car!"

Julian chuckled smugly.

"While we were waiting at the red light, I saw the cab you were in right in front of us."

"Why do you think Claire suddenly rear-ended it? I was turning her on. She was like a wildcat spotting prey—her attention snapped right to me."

"Too bad it didn't kill you. Can't believe you actually survived."

The sound of a door opening came through the receiver, and Claire interrupted him.

"Julian, I need to head back to New York tomorrow. Leaving Ethan hanging for so many days without even a birthday text... that's punishment enough."

Julian lowered his voice, playing the victim perfectly.

"Every time you show him concern, it feels like you're punishing me. I just love you too much, Claire. I'd rather let you hurt me."

Claire's heart instantly melted.

"Don't be sad. Seeing you like this breaks my heart."

"Then stay with me for a few more days. We've already delayed things this long, what's a few more days?"

Julian promptly hung up the phone.

My heart plunged into ice water.

I turned to Daniel.

"Don't tell Claire it's me. Just tell her the victim rejects her settlement offer."

No matter how much money Claire offered, it could never buy back the agony I had endured.

Because I refused to name a price, Claire assumed I was trying to extort her.

She stayed in the Caribbean with Julian for a few more days before finally returning to New York and coming to the hospital.

Accompanying her was her mother, Margaret Whitmore.

"I hear this crippled loser is trying to shake us down for a massive payout?"

Margaret's harsh voice echoed down the hospital corridor.

Hearing her precious daughter was in trouble, she had rushed over.

"It's not like our family can't afford it. But he didn't die, his legs weren't severed, and suddenly he claims he can't walk? Who would believe that?"

"He probably found out my daughter is a CEO and figured we'd pay to avoid a scandal. He's just trying to extort the Whitmore family."

Chapter 3

Ungrateful?

While I was hanging by a thread, facing the reality that I might be a cripple for the rest of my life, Claire was keeping Julian company.

All just to make up for his ruined birthday celebration.

I stayed in the hospital for another two days. My legs still had no feeling, and I relied entirely on the nursing staff.

Refusing to accept my fate, I tried to grab onto the bedside table to stand up, but I crashed heavily to the floor, busting my forehead open. Blood dripped down my face.

"I'm going to be a cripple for the rest of my life."

I broke down completely, sobbing on the sterile floor.

The nurse rushed in and helped me up.

"You just had major surgery. Recovery takes time. Don't rush it."

But depression suffocated me like a dark cloud.

The hospital assigned a psychotherapist to help me process the trauma and despair.

It took a long time, but my mental state slowly stabilized.

Perhaps the emotional improvement helped, because the doctor later gave me some surprising news.

"Ethan, your recovery is going better than expected. You might actually have a chance at a full recovery."

Right around that time, Claire finally remembered to have her personal assistant, Daniel Brooks, handle the accident and medical bills.

Daniel walked into my room holding the hospital invoices. The moment he saw my name, he froze completely.

"Mr. Carter? It was... you?"

I sat there, probably looking pale as a ghost. I asked him quietly, "I saw Julian's post today. He and Claire scuba diving in the Caribbean. How romantic."

Daniel broke into a nervous sweat.

"Claire is going to offer you a personal injury settlement through her lawyers. But since you're her husband, I doubt it'll come to this."

His voice grew quieter.

I had always treated him well, so he clearly felt guilty bringing this up.

After a moment, he added cautiously, "There's something else. Before I came here, Julian specifically told me to pay the bills and leave immediately. He told me not to meet the victim."

My mind buzzed. I immediately dialed Julian's number.

He picked up quickly. Before I could even speak, he drawled lazily, "Ethan. Didn't you just cheat death? Why are you calling me instead of resting?"

He knew everything.

"You're a cripple now, Ethan. What leverage do you think you have?"

"Claire and I have been having a great time these past few days. She doesn't even let me mention you. She says hearing your name brings bad luck."

I sucked in a sharp breath, my fingers gripping the phone tight.

"You knew it was me in that car!"

Julian chuckled smugly.

"While we were waiting at the red light, I saw the cab you were in right in front of us."

"Why do you think Claire suddenly rear-ended it? I was turning her on. She was like a wildcat spotting prey—her attention snapped right to me."

"Too bad it didn't kill you. Can't believe you actually survived."

The sound of a door opening came through the receiver, and Claire interrupted him.

"Julian, I need to head back to New York tomorrow. Leaving Ethan hanging for so many days without even a birthday text... that's punishment enough."

Julian lowered his voice, playing the victim perfectly.

"Every time you show him concern, it feels like you're punishing me. I just love you too much, Claire. I'd rather let you hurt me."

Claire's heart instantly melted.

"Don't be sad. Seeing you like this breaks my heart."

"Then stay with me for a few more days. We've already delayed things this long, what's a few more days?"

Julian promptly hung up the phone.

My heart plunged into ice water.

I turned to Daniel.

"Don't tell Claire it's me. Just tell her the victim rejects her settlement offer."

No matter how much money Claire offered, it could never buy back the agony I had endured.

Because I refused to name a price, Claire assumed I was trying to extort her.

She stayed in the Caribbean with Julian for a few more days before finally returning to New York and coming to the hospital.

Accompanying her was her mother, Margaret Whitmore.

"I hear this crippled loser is trying to shake us down for a massive payout?"

Margaret's harsh voice echoed down the hospital corridor.

Hearing her precious daughter was in trouble, she had rushed over.

"It's not like our family can't afford it. But he didn't die, his legs weren't severed, and suddenly he claims he can't walk? Who would believe that?"

"He probably found out my daughter is a CEO and figured we'd pay to avoid a scandal. He's just trying to extort the Whitmore family."