Chapter 2

However, Shane never even glanced at me.

Then, one day, a medical dispute broke out at the hospital. Shane was indiscriminately attacked by the patient's family.

I watched as an iron hammer was about to hit Shane's hand.

A cardiologist's hands were invaluable; one blow would mean he could never hold a scalpel again.

Without much hesitation, I used all my strength to rush to Shane's side and shielded him from the hammer. The blow fell on my back.

It didn't hurt much, but the next moment, a suffocating feeling mixed with dull pain swept over me.

I clung tightly to Shane, like a drowning person clinging to driftwood.

That was the first time I saw fear on Shane's face. He said, "Erin, don't scare me. And don't be afraid. You're in a hospital. You'll be fine."

I forced a smile. "Whatever happens, it's alright. I'm happy to die in your arms anyway."

Shane was too panicked and shaky to perform first aid for me.

He could only watch another doctor perform chest compressions on me.

In my daze, I felt something warm brush against my forehead. Then, warm tears fell continuously on my cheek.

I was not fully conscious, but the system announced sharply in my mind, "Erin, he kissed you."

My ill heart pounded wildly, and joy slowly sprouted amidst the pain.

In that moment, I knew with absolute clarity that I was the first to fall in love.

When I woke up, Shane immediately pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. "Erin, I love you. Let's be together."

The moment Shane said he loved me, the conquest progress reached 100%.

I rejected the system's suggestion to send me home.

At that time, I was completely in love. For love, I gave up my healthy body, willing to stay in this unhealthy body for life.

But then Nora appeared, looking so much like the perfect first love in Shane's memory.

And so, Shane relented time and again when it came to her.

During my repeated questioning, Shane argued defensively, "Erin, Nora had a heart attack last time because of us. I only feel guilt towards her."

So he started to pity Nora. He even gave Nora the healthy heart that should have been mine, intertwined his fingers with hers, vowing a lifetime with her—a vow he once made to me.

*****

When I woke up from my memories, Shane was no longer in the ward.

A pink note lay on the bedside table.

On it, Shane had written, [Erin, Nora wasn't feeling well, so I need to go see her. Don't worry, I'll return to you once she feels better.]

I indifferently tore the note into tiny pieces and threw them into the trash can.

In the past, I might have called Shane countless times, crying and begging him not to go to Nora. But now, I just want to rest properly, not risk having another heart attack again.

I lay in the hospital bed and slept soundly until morning.

A doctor on rounds came to check on my condition. He looked around the ward and asked, "Dr. Holloway isn't here?"

I raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Maybe he's in Nora's ward."

The doctor gave an awkward laugh and opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Our love triangle had already spread throughout the hospital, spurring countless versions.

Perhaps my reaction was too calm, the doctor couldn't help but ask, "Erin, aren't you angry?"

I pointed to my heart, and half-joked, "I'm already terminally ill. Getting angry would just be courting death, right?"

My body could no longer withstand any more torment.

The doctor also knew about the heart going to Nora. He sympathized with me, but before he could comfort me, Shane's stern voice rang out. "Erin, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Shane stood at the doorway, his eyes filled with pain.

He strode forward and said, "Erin, there will be a more suitable heart for you and you will live healthily for the rest of your life. Don't always say such disheartening stuff."

I blinked, a bit confused by Shane's reaction. He was the one who gave away the heart that should have been mine to Nora, so what was he distressed about now?

Shane examined me closely, as if trying to look into my heart through my eyes. After a long time, he finally explained, "Nora's condition was bad yesterday, which was why I couldn't be with you. Erin, don't say such stuff just because you are mad at me."

He probably didn't notice, but he didn't have dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating he had a good night's sleep.

But I was too lazy to expose his lie, and let him off.

Shane squeezed my hand, his tone gentle. "Your heart has stabilized these past few days, and you can be discharged in a few days. I've prepared a surprise for you at home."

I was slightly stunned, and a dense, throbbing pain spread through my heart again.

The last time Shane said he had a surprise for me, I waited for him at home all night, only to see Nora's social media update in the morning.

Shane had given the surprise that was originally meant for me to Nora.

Ever since then, whenever Shane mentioned preparing another surprise for me, I would get angry and refuse it.