Theodore Sinclair was urgently rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
A few hours later, he was wheeled out of the ICU.
His life was saved, but due to the severity of his injuries, his lower limbs were paralyzed. He might never walk again. After being transferred to a regular ward, I went to see him.
At that moment, the man lying in the bed stared blankly, his face as pale as paper. He looked like a hollow shell, drained and worn.
"Theodora," he weakly asked, "do I look pathetic now...?"
I didn't respond immediately.
Theodore clutched the bed sheets tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure, his voice trembling as he asked, "Theodora, now that I'm like this, are you still going to leave me?"
After a long silence, I finally spoke.
"Theodore, the reason I'm here is because you saved my life, but that doesn't change my decision to leave. I've changed my flight to this afternoon. In two hours, I'll be gone. Take care of yourself. From now on, we'll never meet again."
With those words, I turned to leave.
Theodore reached out and grabbed my wrist.
"Jayla, please don't go…" His voice was hoarse, a tinge of pleading in it. "Since I saved your life, can't you stay? Please, I'm begging you."
I pulled my arm free.
"Theodore, this accident happened because of you. I'm just caught up in your mess! If you hadn't been so heartless, betraying Jimena, she wouldn't have developed this hatred and sought revenge on you. You saved my life—that's what you should have done. I owe you nothing, and you can't morally blackmail me into staying."
Theodore's eyes reddened, his voice full of regret. "Theodora... I'm sorry..."
I remained unmoved, coldly delivering my final words. "Theodore, do you remember what you said when you proposed to me? You promised you would only love me in this lifetime, faithfully and without change. If you ever broke that vow, you would never die a peaceful death. Your fate now is the result of that oath, your karma has come full circle."
"Theodore, there's no chance for us anymore. Let's part ways in peace."
Theodore stared at me, lost and dazed, a flash of shame crossing his face.
After a moment, he lowered his head, clenching his fists so tightly they trembled, seemingly trying to suppress the guilt in his heart. I didn't look back at him, turning and walking out without a second glance.
Just as I reached the door, I was stopped by Theodore's mother, who had rushed over.
"You can't leave!" Her face was red with anger, fury in her voice. "Jayla, how could you be so cold-hearted? He is your husband, and he's in serious pain. How can you just leave him like this?"
"We're divorced. His injuries aren't my fault. I have no obligation to care for him."
"How can you say that!" Theodore's mother was so enraged that her neck turned red. "Has your conscience completely disappeared? You were once married, for heaven's sake! How can you just turn your back on him like this?"
"Mom!" Theodore suddenly interrupted, his voice strained. "It's my fault. Theodora wants to leave, it's her choice, and we have no right to stop her."
"Theodore!" His mother stamped her foot in frustration. "If she leaves, who will take care of you then?!"
"Mom, stop it!" Theodore's voice was cold and firm. "She's not my maid. She has her own life. Just let her go."
"Theodore..."
Without acknowledging his mother any further, Theodore turned to me, his voice choking as he said, "Theodora, I'm sorry. I've been selfish. If you want to go, go ahead. I won't stop you... I just hope you can forgive me."
I didn't say another word. I shrugged off his mother's hand and left, resolute in my decision.
That word, "forgive," would never leave my lips.
After leaving the hospital, I took a taxi to the airport.
As we passed a viaduct, the sound of police sirens filled the air. I glanced out and saw several police cars chasing a red sedan at high speed. They seemed to be in pursuit of a criminal.
Suddenly, the red sedan lost control due to its speed and crashed into the guardrail on the viaduct with a deafening crash. Sparks flew from the car, which quickly ignited.
The fire spread rapidly, turning the sky red.
The person inside the car screamed in agony, trapped in the burning wreck.
The accident caused a massive traffic jam on the viaduct.
Drivers passing by stopped their cars and began discussing what had happened.
"I heard the police were chasing a hit-and-run suspect, and it's a woman."
"With such a big fire, she's probably dead by now. Such a shame."
"What's so shameful? I heard she's a heartless woman, ran over someone, left them paralyzed, and then fled. She got what she deserved!"
...
I silently listened to the bystanders' conversation, my heart undisturbed.
Half an hour later, the traffic gradually cleared, and the car I was in continued towards the airport. What's past is past.
What awaits me is a brand-new future.
