3#03

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The medical staff surrounding him cast cold glances, but Zayn remained resolute, refusing to relent. Left with no alternative, the physician had to dispatch Michelle first. Zayn trailed Michelle's emergency vehicle without a backward glance.

Abruptly, a wave of pitying looks descended upon me.

"This man is excessively principled. Even though his spouse caused the incident, his actions are too severe."

"Isn't he the attractive leader of the diving rescue squad? Heavens, I once dreamed of wedding him. Thank goodness that didn't come to pass."

"Hush now. Perhaps his wife truly committed an unpardonable act..."

The voices around me gradually diminished as I lost consciousness before the ambulance arrived.

Previously, he had clung to Michelle as they ascended, never once looking back at me.

The rescue team member beside me also presumed I was at fault for the accident. He swam towards me reluctantly and swiftly brought me ashore. No one paid heed to my critical physical state.

Upon reaching land, my body erupted in dense, itchy red welts - a sign of decompression sickness. The bites on my arms and the bruising on my abdomen were so agonizing I couldn't even cry out for help.

My awareness began to fade. By the time the ambulance arrived, I couldn't shed a single tear. They had all been spent beneath the waves.

Zayn's eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed the doctor, pleading, "Treat Michelle first!"

The doctor shook off his grip, stating, "I understand your concern as a family member, but her injuries aren't severe and can wait. This woman clearly needs immediate attention!"

He pointed to my blood-soaked form in the corner.

Zayn seized the doctor's stretcher, refusing to let go. He gestured towards me with his free hand, saying, "The one lying there is my family member, but she caused the accident. I insist the hospital prioritize the victim. I'll accept responsibility for any consequences of delaying treatment for my wife."

Michelle feigned concern, reminding him, "Zayn, your wife is expecting."

The unsympathetic medical staff looked at him, but Zayn remained unyielding. The doctor had no choice but to tend to Michelle first, with Zayn following her ambulance without a backward glance.

Suddenly, a series of compassionate gazes fell upon me.

"This man is overly righteous. Though his wife caused the accident, he's being too harsh, especially considering the unborn child."

"Isn't he the handsome captain of the diving rescue team we saw earlier? God, I once wished to marry him. I'm grateful it didn't happen."

"Don't gossip. Perhaps his wife truly did something unforgivable..."

The voices around me gradually faded as I lost consciousness before the ambulance arrived.

In my dream, I revisited the moment we first met in the diving team.

Back then, Michelle, Zayn's girlfriend of five years, had won an underwater beauty pageant, accepted a lucrative job overseas, and had to end things with Zayn.

I had nearly drowned during a dive when I exhaled underwater, and Zayn had saved me at the last moment. I hazily recall him carrying me ashore and performing CPR in the soft sunlight.

Perhaps it was the adrenaline of the moment, or maybe because I'd heard about his romantic situation, but I fell for this Maldivian diving rescue captain. To stay close to him, I decided to become a diving instructor in the Maldives. To catch his eye, I went to great lengths to acquire the diving equipment collection he desired.

In a diving competition, I entered the deep diving event, despite the crushing water pressure, just to gain Zayn's attention.

Every day, I diligently prepared nutritious meals and diving gear for him, and helped maintain his diving log.