Chapter 3

"Pretend," he scoffed. "Even the toughest guy couldn't fake this level of pain. If he wasn't in such good shape, he'd have passed out by now."

The local doctor rushed over to give me anesthesia and various medications.

Countless needles pierced my skin, causing me to growl in agony.

Crysta suddenly spoke up.

"It's okay, Fintan. It's just like an ant bite. Don't be scared, don't be scared."

I was suddenly reminded of when we first got together.

I had brought an injured stray cat to her, and she was crying.

Her eyes were red, and she was holding a rabbit.

When she saw the injured cat, she quickly put down the rabbit to treat it.

She looked so gentle yet strong in that moment, it instantly touched my heart.

After that, I often brought kittens and puppies as an excuse to see her.

She would laugh, amused by my antics.

Until one day, when I was preparing to confess my feelings, she suddenly told me she liked me.

I thought we were meant to be, but I often caught her stroking the rabbit's fur with a distant look in her eyes.

Later I found out the rabbit was a gift from her first love, Levi, who had gone abroad to study at the time.

When I learned the truth, we had a huge fight.

But then Crysta came to propose. She put a ring on my finger and said, "Fintan, I only like you now. Let's get married. I'll give you the security you need."The wedding night, two years after our marriage, Levi returned.

I was reassigned to Yellowstone for work, but with Crysta here, how could I possibly leave?

After planning our getaway for so long, Crysta cautiously asked me to bring Levi along.

She said it was a regret from when they were together before.

I generously agreed. In the car, they were inseparable, like reunited lovers mending a broken mirror.

Levi was also a veterinarian. Along the way, they chatted about professional knowledge I couldn't understand.

Bursting into laughter, Crysta's head fell back onto Levi's chest as she giggled.

Levi joked, "Crysta, I even wrote you a love letter back then. Too bad I only found out after graduation that our homeroom teacher had stolen it and never gave it to you."

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Crysta looked at Levi in disbelief, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I didn't know you liked me back then, I..."

Levi just smiled, "It's all in the past. You're happy with Fintan now."

Crysta suddenly became very anxious, her voice almost breaking as she spoke.

"But Levi, the one I liked..."

Seeming to realize I was beside them, Crysta abruptly closed her mouth.I know Crysta likes Levi, and I know he's her first love.

But being told so bluntly that Crysta likes him makes me feel overwhelmed with discomfort.

Looking back, I see Crysta's eyes full of tenderness as she softly comforts me by my side.

Long ago, we were also in such sweet love.

Whenever someone criticized my profession, Crysta would stand in front of them with her hands on her hips and talk back.

Back then, her eyes were full of concern for me.

"My boyfriend says he's the best horse whisperer around. Say one more word and I swear he'll sic a wolf on you in a heartbeat!"

Her fierce look was like an agitated cat.

I fell more and more in love with her, and I had actually been planning to propose.

But in just a few hours, I've already changed my mind.

After being given the injection, I fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke up again, I heard laughter and playful noises from outside.

"Levi! Slow down!"