Chapter 8

Lauren's POV

I stared down at my phone in complete shock, my fingers trembling as I gripped the device. This was the sixth time I had called Ethan — and still, no answer.

Six calls. Six chances. Six silences.

Each time the call ended without a response, it was like another knife slowly twisting in my chest.

What if it had been something important?

What if it had been life-threatening?

Did he not care enough to even check who was calling?

Even if he was with another woman, even if I meant nothing to him anymore, he should have at least had the decency — the respect — to pick up or call back. Just once. Just enough to ask, “Are you okay?”

But there was nothing. Not even a message.

I clenched my jaw and forced myself not to cry. But it was already too late. My vision blurred, and I felt the warm sting of tears begin to build in my eyes.

The nurse was still in the room, standing nearby. She didn’t know what was