Chapter 8 Biggest Humiliation

• “Elope? What are you talking about?”
• “Why? Won't you admit to it now? Did you break up with Micah Sharp?”
• Seven years ago, Elena went overseas without warning and stopped contacting all her classmates, friends, and even relatives.
• Raphael searched for her frantically until he learned she had left Horington to elope with another man.
• For the following seven years, Elena and Micah haunted his dreams every night. He could not shake away the memory, no matter how hard he tried.
• That was the biggest humiliation for the first half of his life.
• Elena froze when she heard Micah's name. She quickly regained her senses.
• If Raphael hadn't reminded her, she would have almost forgotten how she used a terrible but deadly lie to end their five-year relationship back then.
• “Mr. Gardner.” Suddenly, a nurse knocked on the door.
• Elena gave a start. She didn't even know how she got the strength to shove Raphael away and scramble out of his bed to stand aside.
• Raphael's gaze returned to its usual indifference when he saw how flustered Elena was.
• “What is it?” he responded.
• “I heard you were feeling unwell. Do you need me to get the doctor to give you a checkup?” the nurse asked.
• “No need. You can leave now. I'm tired.”
• “Okay.”
• The door clicked shut.
• Elena could finally heave a sigh of relief. She dared not stay any longer or even look at Raphael. “I'm busy, so I shall take my leave now,” she said hastily.
• Raphael didn't ask her to stay. Instead, he watched as she fled his ward. Lost in his thoughts, he only snapped back to reality when his back hit the corner of his bed. He winced at the pain.
• Suddenly, he grew increasingly frustrated. Why can't I forget this selfish and indifferent woman who only thinks of herself?
• For the next two days, Elena avoided Raphael when she was doing her rounds. She no longer bumped into him.
• Vanessa came to visit Raphael every day. The women would give each other a nod as a greeting if they were to run into each other.
• “Raphael, I talked to the doctor today. You need to recuperate by changing your dietary habits for a long time, so it doesn't matter even if you move back home. If you are okay with it, why don't you get discharged from the hospital as early as possible?” Vanessa pretended to chat casually with him as she peeled an apple. She then cut it into pieces and offered one to Raphael. “Here, eat some fruit.”
• Raphael's expression was dark, as though he hadn't heard what she said. No one knew what was going on in his mind.
• Vanessa's gaze dimmed. She placed the apple slices on a plate and changed the topic. “Raphael, I picked a few wedding locations. Do you want to take a look at them?”
• “No need. You can pick whichever you like.”
• “Okay. I know you're busy, so I'll make the decisions. By the way...” Vanessa hesitated. “Should I invite Elena?”
• Raphael frowned when he heard Elena's name being mentioned.
• Vanessa hastily explained, “We are good friends. Never mind if she was still overseas. Now that she's back, it will look like I'm too petty if I don't invite her. If you don't want to see her, then forget it.”
• “Aren't you overthinking?” Raphael abruptly shot her a look. He seemed to have seen through her.
• Vanessa felt a chill go down her spine as she fell silent.
• Raphael got up from the couch. “You want to get the discharge procedures done, right?”
• “Huh?” Vanessa was startled. “N-Now?”
• The man grunted in affirmation. “The hospital's environment isn't that good. The air ventilation sucks, too.”
• His expression remained indifferent and emotionless when he said that.
• Behind him, Vanessa gripped the napkin she was holding. Strangely, the more Raphael acted that way, the bigger she felt their gap was.