Chapter 5

Elena's POV

Not a second of hesitation.

He didn't even look at me.

Isabella was successfully rescued.

"Elena, hang in there!" Sebastian shouted down at me through the opening. "We'll get you out soon!"

But just then, Isabella's anguished moans came from outside: "Sebastian... I'm in so much pain... take me to the hospital... please..."

I heard Sebastian's anxious voice: "Elena, I have to take Isabella to the hospital first! The rescue team will take care of you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared.

He chose Isabella.

Even in a life-or-death situation, even when I was also in danger, his choice still wasn't me.

I was left alone in the dark elevator, my phobia fully erupting. My chest felt crushed by a boulder, every breath becoming difficult.

Just then, the elevator shook violently again.

CLANK—CRASH!

The elevator began falling!

"AH!" I screamed.

In the darkness, memories from three years ago completely exploded—

That day was Sebastian and my anniversary. We were driving to the mountains for vacation. A tunnel collapse suddenly occurred, boulders crashed down, and Sebastian was knocked unconscious with a bloody head.

I used every ounce of strength to push him to a relatively safe corner, then the second collapse happened. I was trapped in less than one square meter of space, surrounded by boulders, darkness, unable to move...

For four whole hours, I thought I would die there.

But I didn't die in the end—I just paid a huge price.

And Sebastian never knew this truth.

The elevator stopped ten meters from the ground. I had already passed out.

...

"The patient is awake."

I slowly opened my eyes to find myself lying in a hospital bed.

Sebastian rushed into the room: "Elena, thank God you're okay! The doctor said you had a severe panic attack. When did you develop this condition..."

"I'm fine." I interrupted him. "How's Isabella?"

"She gave birth—a boy, very healthy." He said joyfully. "Although it was premature, both mother and child are safe."

I nodded. "That's good. Congratulations, Sebastian. You finally got everything you wanted."

"Elena, I know today's situation was chaotic, but..."

"It's okay," I interrupted him. "I understand your choice. She was carrying your child—of course you should have saved her first."

Sebastian was stunned. "Elena..."

"Really, it's okay," I turned to look out the window. "I'm just tired."

Just then, Sebastian's phone rang. It was Isabella.

I watched his conflicted expression and said quietly, "Go ahead. She needs you."

"Elena, I..."

"Go ahead." I closed my eyes. "See you at the wedding."

Sebastian hesitated, then finally stood up. "I'll go check on her first. See you at the wedding."

As he reached the door, I suddenly spoke:

"Goodbye, Sebastian."

Sebastian turned back to look at me, seeming to sense something was wrong, but Isabella urged him again on the phone, so he had to hurry away.

Over the next few days, Sebastian barely left the hospital.

Whenever he remembered Elena's "goodbye" and wanted to call her, some new emergency would interrupt:

"Sebastian, the baby has a fever!"

"Sebastian, the baby won't drink milk. Think of something..."

He kept telling himself: "Elena will understand. She's always been reasonable. I'll make it up to her after the wedding."

Until he stood at the church entrance in his tuxedo.

"Mr. Knight, there's no wedding reservation for you today." The church staff flipped through the records. "Miss Grace canceled all arrangements two weeks ago."