Chapter 4The Surgeon's Final Cut

"Clara still hasn't answered?"

In the private ward, Chloe sat propped against the pillows, her face pale. Within seconds, her eyes rimmed with red, and tears spilled down her cheeks. "Justin, did you really never feel anything for her in those five years?"

"She disappeared because you lied to me, didn't you? You... you don't actually want to marry me."

"You never truly forgave me for leaving you back then!"

By the end of her sentence, Chloe was sobbing hysterically.

Over the past few days, my spirit had grown strangely calm. I sat on the wide windowsill, quietly watching their melodrama unfold.

I already knew what Justin would do. He would immediately pull her into his arms and shower her with gentle reassurances.

Sure enough, a heartbeat later, he frowned, rose from his chair, and gathered Chloe into an embrace.

See? I knew him like the back of my hand.

"Clara already agreed to the divorce. I don't know why she suddenly went off the grid."

He stroked Chloe's back with practiced tenderness, his voice dropping to a low, soothing murmur. "Don't worry. I will finalize the divorce."

"And I will marry you."

Right at that moment, hurried footsteps pounded outside in the corridor.

The heavy door was pushed open, and two uniformed police officers stepped inside.

Justin froze, turning to them with a puzzled expression. "Officers, can I help you with something?"

Before either cop could answer, the door banged wide open again.

Brandon stumbled into the room, gasping for air, trembling from head to toe as he looked at Justin.

"Dr. Vance... Clara is dead..."