Chapter 17: The Night That Changed Everything
Lia ran into the hospital in a panic, her heart racing violently.
"Mom… where is my mom?!" she cried desperately.
A nurse quickly guided her toward the emergency ward.
Inside, Lia's mother was rushed into surgery immediately.
Outside the operating room, Lia stood shaking, holding her father's hand tightly.
"Will she be okay?" Lia asked fearfully.
Her father forced a weak smile. "She will… we just need to stay strong."
While doctors worked inside, everything outside was tense and silent.
Then—Ethan arrived.
He didn't say much. He simply spoke to the hospital staff and quietly paid for the full emergency treatment.
Lia noticed him from afar but didn't approach him. Her emotions were already overwhelmed.
After some time, the doctor finally came out.
"She survived the surgery. She's stable now."
Relief washed over Lia instantly.
"Thank you… thank you so much…" she whispered, crying softly.
Her mother slowly regained consciousness later.
Lia stayed by her side, holding her hand tightly.
Outside the room, her father gently spoke to her mother.
"There's something I need to tell you…"
He explained everything:
Ethan helped pay for the treatment
He was the reason the hospital acted quickly
Without him, things would have been worse
Her mother listened quietly, surprised and emotional.
Feeling grateful, Lia's father decided he could not leave without thanking Ethan properly.
"I'll be back," he told his wife. "I need to see him."
He then left the ward and headed outside
At the same time—
Lia was stepping out of the hospital room, heading toward the corridor.
She wanted to speak to her father.
But as she reached the entrance…
She saw him.
Her father.
Standing outside with Ethan.
Lia paused. She didn't approach yet—she was just watching.
Ethan and her father exchanged a few words. Her father bowed slightly in gratitude.
"Thank you… truly."
Ethan replied calmly, "It's nothing."
Her father then turned to cross the road toward a nearby shop—just to buy something small as thanks.
Then it happened.
A loud screech.
Headlights.
A car speeding too fast.
"Dad…?" Lia whispered.
"WATCH OUT!" Ethan shouted.
Impact.
Silence.
Time stopped.
Lia stood frozen, watching everything unfold in front of her eyes.
Her father fell to the ground.
Ethan rushed forward instantly.
"Sir! Stay with me!"
But it was too late.
Lia witnesses it all
Lia slowly stepped forward, her body shaking violently.
Her eyes locked on Ethan standing there…
Right beside her father's lifeless body.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
"You…" she whispered.
Her voice broke completely.
"You were there…"
Ethan turned—shock on his face.
But Lia couldn't see anything else.
Her grief blinded her.
Her pain took over everything.
"I trusted you…" she cried.
"And now my dad is gone… because of you."
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing.
Then she broke completely.
"I hate you, Ethan."
...
The morning sun felt too bright for Lia.
Not warm. Not comforting. Just harsh.
She sat in the back seat of the car on her way to school, staring out the window without really seeing anything. Her father's face kept flashing in her mind—his voice, his last moments, the chaos.
And Ethan.
That image stayed longer than she wanted it to.
She clenched her fingers tightly.
I hate you.
The words repeated in her head like a wound that refused to close.
The school was louder than usual, as if nothing had changed in the world.
But for Lia, everything had.
Whispers followed her as she walked through the hallway.
"That's her…"
"She's the one who lost her dad…"
"So sad…"
Lia kept her head down and walked faster.
Ava rushed toward her immediately. "Lia! I've been calling you! Are you okay?"
Lia forced a small nod. "I'm fine."
But her voice wasn't fine.
Ava didn't believe her, but she didn't push. Instead, she stayed close like a shield.
When Lia entered the classroom, the atmosphere changed instantly.
Ethan was already there.
Headphones on.
Head down.
Same seat. Same posture.
But something about him felt heavier today.
Lia stopped for a second.
Their eyes met.
Just for a moment.
Cold. Empty. Broken.
Then she looked away first.
She walked to her seat without a word.
Ethan watched her sit down.
He didn't speak.
He didn't tease.
He didn't even breathe normally.
Because something inside him had changed too.
He didn't expect her to hate him this much.
But he also didn't stop her from feeling it.
When class started, Ethan returned to his usual behavior.
But today… it felt different.
"Rule one," he said flatly.
Lia didn't respond.
"Rule two," he continued. "No distractions during class."
Still no reaction.
Ava frowned from behind Lia. What is wrong with him today?
Ryan, sitting a few rows away, watched everything carefully—his eyes shifting between Lia and Ethan.
During break, Ryan approached Lia's desk again.
"You didn't eat yesterday," he said quietly, placing a juice box beside her.
Lia looked at it but didn't touch it.
"Thanks," she said softly.
Ryan smiled slightly. "That's all I get?"
A faint pause.
"…I'm not in the mood, Ryan."
His expression softened. "I know."
He didn't push further.
But Ethan saw everything.
And for some reason… it irritated him more than it should have.
Later, Ava tried to pull Lia aside again.
"Lia, you can't keep shutting everyone out," she whispered. "Especially not—"
She stopped herself before saying Ethan's name.
Lia's eyes darkened slightly.
"I don't want to talk about him."
Ava froze. "Lia…"
But Lia had already turned away.
Across the room, Ethan stood near the window, staring outside.
Madison appeared beside him.
"You look distracted," she said smoothly.
Ethan didn't respond.
"I heard about your situation," she continued. "The girl… she's making things difficult for you, isn't she?"
Ethan finally looked at her.
"…Leave it."
Madison raised an eyebrow but smiled. "Fine. Just remember—you have a party to attend with me."
At the mention of it, Ethan's jaw tightened slightly.
The Silvergate Night Party.
A public appearance. A fake relationship. A business stage.
And Lia would be there too.
When school ended, Lia left immediately. No waiting. No looking back.
Ethan watched her go.
He didn't stop her.
He couldn't.
Ava ran after Lia. "Wait! At least let me stay with you!"
But Lia shook her head.
"I just want to be alone."
That night, Lia stood in her room again.
The mirror reflected a girl who looked the same…
But wasn't.
"I don't care anymore," she whispered.
But her trembling voice betrayed her.
Because deep down…
She still remembered Ethan saving her before.
And that was the most dangerous part.
Across the city, Ethan stood on his balcony.
His phone lit up with Madison's message:
"Tomorrow we start the party preparations."
He didn't reply immediately.
Instead, he looked at the sky.
"…Lia."
Just her name.
Nothing more.