Overwhelmed by the recent revelations, she felt her heart being tightly squeezed. Unconscious tears streamed down her face, and she felt like she was confronting a nightmare. Images of Ethan kissing another girl swirled in her mind, submerging her in a sea of painful emotions.She felt as if her world was collapsing around these unexpected images. She couldn't believe what she saw, and the thought that Ethan could do such a thing made her feel like her heart was being torn apart.Ula regarded her phone as a cumbersome object, and she felt her heart racing. Pain and confusion flooded her, but she was determined to clarify everything. She hastily called back the person who sent her the message, but there was no answer. Ula tried a few more times and sent texts to that number, but received no response. Finally, Ula turned to calling Ethan, accepting any risks that might come.The tense minutes of waiting became a period of anguish for Ula. Each second passed like a slow-motion scene, and
"Hey, Ethan, do you know who attacked you?" Jade suddenly asked curiously. Based on Jade's reasoning, the assailant must have had a deep-seated resentment towards Ethan, wanting to seek revenge and causing him pain, hence the impulsive action. Attacking Ethan in a busy area was a serious mistake."I will investigate; whoever they are, I am determined to make those scoundrels pay," Ethan affirmed after a few minutes of contemplation. He tried to think about who it could be—a business rival or a personal enemy—and what their motives might be, but for now, there were no results."If you need any help, just let me know," Jade offered enthusiastically. Immediately, Ethan raised an eyebrow skeptically.Seeing his guarded reaction, Jade sighed and lamented, "Don't be so suspicious; I genuinely want to help you as a friend. I swear on my honor, and rest assured, I won't charge you any fees."Jade had made a solemn commitment, so Ethan had no reason not to trust her."In that case, thank you,"
"Yesterday, Ethan didn't come home. He also didn't call to inform." Not wanting to keep Mrs. Donna waiting, Ula replied without turning back to look at Mrs. Donna."So, you're angry with Ethan for that, and you ran here early in the morning?" Mrs. Donna continued, teasing Ula."I have no reason to be angry with Ethan," Ula asserted, surprising Mrs. Donna, while Ethan felt a sense of disappointment. "What he does, with whom, has nothing to do with me.""What do you mean by that? Nothing to do with you? Aren't you two?" Mrs. Donna began.Understanding Mrs. Donna's implication, Ula quickly clarified to avoid any misunderstandings."Ma'am, there is no relationship between Ethan and me whatsoever. So, it's absurd for me to be concerned about Ethan not coming home. Him not coming home, drinking to the point of intoxication, or enjoying himself with another woman—that's his affair. I have no right or interest to care about any of that. Please refrain from saying things you shouldn't.""You a
"Ethan, I think Ula has completely misunderstood." Jade spoke anxiously, "We need to explain things clearly to her."Jade was feeling guilty and remorseful for unintentionally hurting Ula. There was truly no ambiguous relationship between Ethan and Jade. Today, Jade came to discuss with Ethan the person who had attacked him that night. In addition, they had some casual conversation, and Jade teased Ethan a bit about Ula, making Ethan laugh heartily. Later, while getting up to leave, Jade tripped over a chair, and, in reflex, Ethan reached out to help her, resulting in both of them falling onto the bed. Unfortunately, Ula came home at that exact moment and happened to see it. That was all there was to it, and Jade didn't want to be wrongly accused or misunderstood by Ula, leading to her being hated."I know," Ethan sighed in response."If Ula doesn't want to listen to you, let me talk to her," Jade eagerly suggested."I'll handle it myself; you just go." Ethan immediately intervened.F
The next day, Ethan kept his promise to Ula and went to visit Mrs. Donna. As soon as he stepped into the hospital's lobby, his eyes unexpectedly caught Ula walking ahead of him, holding a bulky bag. Suddenly, Ula's bag tore, causing the contents to spill onto the floor, scattered everywhere. Ula looked momentarily flustered, then struggled to bend down and pick up each item. Ula had some difficulty squatting because her leg had only recently healed. Seeing this, Ethan decided to set aside everything else to help Ula. However, before Ethan could approach, he hesitated as a young man appeared. In his hands, the man held another plastic bag. From Ethan's observation, the man was dressed as a doctor, and when he turned towards Ethan, he recognized him as the doctor who had been caring for Ula's leg.Quickly, the task of clearing the scattered items on the floor was completed. Ula and the doctor exchanged a few brief words. Ula smiled gratefully, and then the bulky bag was handed over to t
Clearing his throat, Ethan began recounting the incident:"Actually, that night, an unexpected situation occurred that prevented me from coming home. I didn't want to worry and scare Ula, so I decided not to let her know. My plan was to sort things out first before telling Ula. So when she asked me where I had been and what I was doing that night without coming home, I lied to her, saying I was busy helping a friend instead of explaining the complications I faced.""Did Ula ask you anything else after that?" In fact, Mrs. Donna wanted to inquire about the severity of the incident, but she suddenly remembered that Ethan had the right to personal privacy. If Ethan hid it from Ula, there was no reason for him to tell Mrs. Donna. With this thought in mind, Mrs. Donna shifted to a more important issue."No, she didn't say anything else." Ethan affirmed. "On the contrary, she seemed calm and distant from me until today.""From what you're saying, it seems like Ula knew you were lying." Mrs.
"Hey Ethan Thomas, don't behave so unreasonably," Ula said irritably, scolding. "I haven't done anything wrong for you to treat me with such disdain and try to accuse me like that.""So let me ask you," Ethan retorted loudly, not holding back, "Are you lying when you claim to stay at the hospital to take care of your grandmother? The truth is, you're here because of that person and because of the doctor treating your leg. Tell me, do you have feelings for him, right?"Ula affirmed seriously, "I'm here for my grandmother.""For God's sake, don't lie anymore," Ethan impatiently demanded."I'm not lying," Ula shouted as if defending herself. She even definitely stared into Ethan's fiery eyes, saying, "Ethan Thomas, whether you believe it or not, this is your business. But don't say untrue things about me anymore. If you don't, I won't forgive you. Moreover, whatever I do, no matter how it may seem, has nothing to do with you. Who do you think you are to dare to interfere and express opin
After a while of sobbing, the two women regained their composure. Ula quickly led Mrs. Donna back to her room. As soon as she lay down on the bed, Mrs. Donna spoke up, as she had something to discuss with Ula."Ula, lately, Ethan has been busy with his business. Has he been spending less time with you?" Mrs. Donna began by probing Ula's reaction."Yes, that's true," Ula admitted, although she wasn't sure if Ethan was genuinely busy or not. In the past, she mentioned Ethan's busyness merely to placate Mrs. Donna's thoughts. And she also didn't understand why Mrs. Donna was asking her this."Aren't you afraid that Ethan might be tempted by other women?" Mrs. Donna looked at Ula with concern.Ula paused in her actions, showing confusion at the unexpected question from her grandmother. After pondering for a while, Ula replied:"What's the big deal about that? Ethan is an adult, and in fact, he's still single. It's understandable that he might meet someone and develop feelings for them." H
Afterward, Ethan helped Ula stand up and led her back home. However, unexpectedly, something happened. A sudden rain shower drenched them quickly. Under the darkening evening sky and raindrops falling like pearls from the heavens, Ethan carried Ula step by step through the dense forest path. Their hearts beat strongly, resonating with the serene atmosphere of the forest. Each step was a beat, an effort traded for worries and difficulties. Outside, the rain sparkled like the world's sorrow, but within Ethan's arms, he carried belief, hope, and warmth for Ula. Unable to reach home due to the challenging path, they stumbled upon a wooden house in the middle of the forest. The house was often used by nature lovers for a tranquil retreat. Sheltered beneath the roof, the door opened into a cozy space. With the nightfall behind the door and gentle light streaming into the room, in the painting of silence, Ethan gently placed her on the wide bed. "Take off your wet clothes, Ula, or you'll c
"Isn't it that you need Ethan's money? I can give it to you. Would that be satisfactory?" Ula asks with a sarcastic and mocking tone."It's my parents who want it, not me. I just want to live with Ethan. I love Ethan." Anne continues to pretend, thinking that Ula is a weak person, and after her grandmother's death, Ula's mental state is unstable. Anne believes that she can exploit Ula's vulnerability to win. Unexpectedly, Ula surprises Anne by displaying a challenging attitude."What if I don't agree?""Then we won't easily forgive Ethan." The woman, considered Anne's mother, speaks up sharply. , "I will make both you and Ethan regret that decision. I will let the whole world know that Ethan is a despicable man who abandoned his own child. Ethan's career and reputation will be ruined."Realizing that arguing with criminals is unwise, as it only tires oneself and wastes time, Ula decides to stop. After all, she already understands what has been happening. What she needs to do is let Et
"Ula, I'm really exhausted. Please, let me go," Mrs. Donna continued, her voice pleading. She knew it would be very difficult for Ula to accept her death, so Mrs. Donna wanted to implore Ula to grant her this request. As both Mrs. Donna and Ethan predicted, Ula shook her head frantically, adamantly refusing to accept the cruel and harsh reality."I don't want you to die; I can't live without you. Please don't abandon me," Ula pleaded desperately."Ula, everyone will eventually die," Mrs. Donna calmly reassured her. "I have lived long enough. It's time for me to go. I am leaving because I want to, because God loves me more, not because I'm afraid of burdening you.""But I... I haven't been able to repay your kindness; I haven't given you a life of full enjoyment. I..." Ula sobbed, blaming herself. "I'm truly useless.""Ula, no one wishes for what has happened, including death. Everything is arranged by God, and He knows what He's doing with each of us. Most importantly, I don't expect
Quickly, as requested by Ethan, Ula underwent a thorough health examination by the doctor. The examination took longer than Ethan had imagined, involving many steps that left his mind in turmoil, anxiety enveloping his inner world. In the midst of tension and suspense, the sound of the door opening caught Ethan's attention, making him startle."How is she, doctor?" Ethan stood up from his chair anxiously, hastily asking as the doctor emerged from Ula's room."Based on the preliminary examination, the patient shows signs of physical exhaustion. The cause could be irregular eating habits or prolonged mental stress leading to a general decline in health." The doctor looked at the report in the file and briefed Ethan on Ula's condition.The result truly shocked Ethan. He hadn't thought that Ula had endured and faced so many difficulties. Suddenly, Ethan self-blamed. Over the past, he has been too indifferent, harboring unjustified anger towards Ula."May I know what happened to her?" The
On the way, Ethan reflected. To avoid unwanted complications, and does not affect anyone. Ethan decided to change the meeting location with Jade to a coffee shop near her home. When Ethan arrived, Jade was already waiting. Without hesitation, Ethan quickly briefed Jade on the situation so she could grasp more details."Jade, the situation is really bad," Ethan warned. "This person is threatening to disclose my personal information if Ula doesn't pay a large sum of money to them. What should I do now?""Don't worry, Ethan," Jade reassured. "We'll deal with this issue. Let me see the phone number that the blackmailer used to contact Ula."Ethan handed his phone to Jade, and she quickly copied the number, sending a message to A, a professional hacker, to trace the owner of that number. While waiting for a response, they began planning a trap for the extortionist."Ethan, here's the plan. You'll agree to pay the amount the blackmailer demands, and on the way to the meeting point, we'll ha
Now, Ethan understands everything Ula says, as well as her attitude and behavior. It all stems from Ula's lack of confidence and insecurity. Knowing this, Ethan feels angry, but not with her but with himself, because he lacks empathy to understand Ula's simple and unique personality. Ula is not like other girls seeking attention. She lives a secluded life and always thinks of others. This is what makes Ethan love her. However, Ethan did not expect that these personality traits of Ula would almost lead to the end of their relationship before it even started. Perhaps in the future, Ethan will need to pay more attention to Ula's emotions, not letting her bear negative thoughts alone. He may even need to try his best to help Ula eliminate those harmful thoughts and trust in their love."I won't be like that, Ula. Trust me," Ethan asserts, gently embracing her. He comforts and soothes her through emotional turmoil. "Please give me a chance to prove that.""But, Ethan, someday I might make
"Ethan," Ula called, her voice suddenly becoming soft, contributing to soothing Ethan's heavy emotions but at the same time making him wary. Before Ula could continue, Ethan quickly interjected, fearing that Ula might choose to evade the conversation. Ethan was exhausted, so this time, he was determined to resolve this misunderstanding with Ula and not let the situation drag on any longer."Ula, what do you want to say? First, honestly answer my questions. Don't think about avoiding or delaying anymore. I'm really at my limit. Please don't torture me any longer."Faced with Ethan's urgent and persistent plea, Ula's initial intention failed. Moreover, Ula felt exhausted herself, realizing that prolonging this dark, tedious, and distressing emotional state was not a wise choice. Ula was not only tormenting Ethan but also herself. Therefore, Ula had no choice but to comply with Ethan's wishes and confront the issue between them. Taking a deep breath, Ula slowly expressed her feelings to
Ethan walked quickly into the hospital, and luck smiled on him when he immediately spotted Ula walking ahead. In fact, Ula had just arrived a little earlier than Ethan, as she had chosen to take the bus to save money, and the bus was slower than a car. This time, not wanting any randomness to be an obstacle, he approached her just before anything special happened."Ula," Ethan called as he stood in front of her, his breath heavy from the sprint and tension."Ethan, why are you here? What's going on?" Ula was momentarily flustered by Ethan's unexpected appearance, but she managed to stay calm. She couldn't believe the thoughts racing through her mind right now—Ethan had followed her to the hospital."You left your phone," Ethan explained, handing his phone to Ula. "I brought it for you."Looking down at the phone in Ethan's hand, she smiled with understanding and sincerity, saying, "Thank you; you've gone through trouble for me.""It's nothing.""Is there anything else?" Ula asked bold
Ula had walked a distance away from Ethan's house when she suddenly stopped. She had just remembered an important matter she hadn't taken care of yet, so she needed to turn back.On her way back, Ula's mobile phone vibrated unexpectedly. The young girl looked down at the screen, and a familiar name appeared. Hesitant for a moment, Ula decided to answer."Grandma, I'm listening." Her voice was filled with a calmness tinged with a hint of coldness."Ula, when are you coming here?" Mrs. Donna's voice was weak, conveying a sense of frailty to Ula. That indicated Mrs. Donna's health was deteriorating day by day, causing Ula to be increasingly worried and heartbroken."I'm getting a taxi. It'll be about fifteen minutes before I reach your place," Ula replied, trying to keep her voice from revealing worry and abnormality. She was concealing her lie with her actual plan to go to the hospital by bus. However, at the moment, she had no money on her, not even a dollar. Therefore, she needed to g