The Wife He Took for Granted

Chapter 7

When Elena's eyelids fluttered open, Ethan was collapsed beside her bed, his face haggard with dark bruises under bloodshot eyes.

The rustle of sheets made his head snap up. His eyes lit up like embers reigniting: "Elena? You're awake—"

His hand shot toward her, then froze midair, hovering like she was made of glass before he clenched it into a fist.

"Three days." His voice was raw. "I've been going out of my mind."

The doctor's words still haunted him.

The fractured ankle. The raging fever. The brutal track marks from IVs covering her arms.

Each word gutted him like a serrated blade.

This was the woman he'd shielded from the world for seven years—how had he let her break like this?

The realization hit like a truck: He did this. His neglect had rotted everything.

When she'd whimpered about the fever, he'd brushed it off as dramatic nonsense. One touch to her forehead would've confirmed the truth,yet he'd never bothered.

"I'm a goddamn idiot." His throat worked. "Letting Lila hurt you. Christ, I'll never forgive myself."

"She's gone. Kicked her out yesterday."

When their eyes met, pure terror and regret churned in his gaze.

"These past days... f**k, Elena, I kept seeing you lying here forever." His fingers twisted the sheets. "I know I don't deserve it, but one more chance. Just one."

"Shouldn't you be comforting your darling Lila?" She croaked.

His jaw locked.

"It's nothing. Saw her at the hospital getting chewed out by some nurse. She just stood there shaking. Looked exactly like you when those sorority bitches."

A harsh breath. "I stepped in without thinking. Then she kept bringing thank-you gifts. Kid's fresh out of school, naive as hell, I just didn't want her getting screwed over."

"Oh?" Elena's smile was razor-thin. "So you were playing hero."

"You are my everything." He gripped the bedrail until the metal groaned. "Only you. Always."

"I swear on my life, she's gone for good."

The air between them turned to stone.

Ethan lunged into the void. "Seven years next Tuesday. Our Swiss Alps trip—remember?" His thumb traced her IV line. "The tickets are burning a hole in my pocket. Just get better, and we'll."

Something in her chest splintered.

He'd remembered. After all the bullshit.

Memories flooded her, how he'd laughed with her in thunderstorms, the way he'd smuggled ice cream into her hospital room after her father's rages. Her heart's frost cracke, just a hairline fracture.

One last chance. If he meant it this time, she'd yank those divorce papers back from the lawyer's office.

After over twenty days of recovery, Elena finally set off just in time for their anniversary.

The plane touched down in Switzerland.

Ethan walked beside her, pulling their luggage while effortlessly taking her backpack. His fingertips brushed against her hand, warm and familiar.

The night at their snow-capped mountain hotel was anything but chilly. Elena closed her eyes, surrendering to the fleeting tenderness between them.

The next morning as they climbed, sunlight pierced through the clouds, scattering golden rays across the pristine snow so bright it nearly blinded them.

Ethan held her hand tightly, their footprints carving a haphazard trail through the deep snow.

"Elena, look," he pointed at the distant glacier, "it's absolutely breathtaking."

She nodded with a smile, the last remnants of resentment in her heart seemingly washed away by the purity of the snow.

Then without warning, a deafening roar shook the mountainside as an avalanche came crashing down.

Instinctively, Ethan shielded her with his body as the thick snow buried them.

In the crushing darkness, Elena could hear his heartbeat—steady, strong.

"Don't be afraid," his voice was faint but firm, "I'm here."

For days they were trapped in that cramped space, surviving on the last bits of chocolate in their pockets and melted snow.

He told her silly childhood stories, and the pain caused by Lila seemed to ease in their shared struggle.

"When we get out," Ethan murmured, his fingers combing through her frost-stiffened hair, "let's have a baby. One with your beautiful eyes."

Before she could respond, a distant cry cut through the icy silence.

The voice grew louder, sending a chill down her spine.

Lila: "Ethan! Ethan!" Her voice trembled with tears. "I've been searching forever! The rescue team is right behind me!"

As Ethan helped Elena crawl free, Lila lunged for his arm—only for him to dodge her grasp.

"What are you doing here?"

"I—I was worried about you." Lila's red-rimmed eyes flickered to their intertwined hands.

"Come on, the rescuers are close!"

As they trudged toward safety, Ethan paid Lila no mind. Elena glanced at his tense profile, warmth blooming in her chest—until the snow beneath them shuddered violently.

Another avalanche barreled toward them. In the chaos, Elena saw Lila throw herself at Ethan.

A chunk of snow smashed into Lila's back. She let out a pained groan before crumpling to the ground.

"Lila!"

Ethan's voice cracked with panic as he frantically checked her injuries.

"Ethan... I'm fine," Lila's face was deathly pale, but her fingers still clung to his sleeve. "Just go."

His eyes darted between Elena and Lila.

Then he turned to Elena with pleading eyes.

"Elena,"

"I need to get her to the rescuers first. I'll come back for you, just wait a little longer."

He didn't wait for her reply. Scooping Lila onto his back, he trudged away through the snow.

Lila cast a look back over his shoulder, locking eyes with Elena—a smug, knowing smirk curling her lips.

Pinned beneath the crushing snow, Elena watched their silhouettes fade into the blizzard.

Ice-laden wind stabbed through her clothes, making her teeth chatter violently, but the chill in her chest was worse.

He wasn't coming back.

The certainty pierced her heart, leaving her too numb to even register the pain.