I opened my eyes slowly.
The first thing I saw was the white ceiling.
The second thing I heard was Chu Nghiem’s voice.
—Don’t discuss patients in the hospital room.
His tone was still cold.
Still calm.
Just like three years ago.
But this time, I noticed something different.
He sounded… tired.
I turned my head slightly.
Through the gap between the curtains, I saw him standing there.
Still wearing the white coat.
Still wearing those gold-rimmed glasses.
But the confidence from before was gone.
He looked like a man who had been waiting for a long time.
The nurse noticed that I was awake.
—Miss, are you feeling better?
I nodded weakly.
Then she smiled.
—Your family will be here soon.
Family?
I froze.
I didn’t call anyone.
Before I could ask, the door suddenly opened.
The first person who walked in made the entire room silent.
A tall man wearing a black cap and mask.
Even though he was hiding his face, everyone immediately recognized him.
The young idol, Lu Yichen.
The nurse almost dropped the medical record in her hand.
—Mr. Lu?
He ignored everyone’s shocked expressions and walked straight to my bed.
His eyes were full of worry.
—Why didn’t you tell me you were in the hospital?
I blinked.
—Why are you here?
He frowned.
—Because you are my sister.
The room became completely quiet.
Sister?
Before I could explain, another person entered.
A young man in a perfectly tailored suit.
The heir of the largest investment group in the city.
Han Jue.
He placed the documents in his hand on the table.
—The surgery arrangements have been reviewed.
—The best specialist team will be here tomorrow morning.
I stared at him.
—You didn’t need to do this.
Han Jue looked at me seriously.
—You say that every time.
Then he added softly:
—And every time, you pretend you don’t need anyone.
Before I could answer, the third person arrived.
The sound of footsteps stopped outside the door.
A man wearing a racing jacket walked in.
The famous genius racer, Shen Mo.
He threw the car keys onto the table.
—The flight was delayed.
—But I made it.
Three completely different men.
A superstar.
A billionaire heir.
A racing legend.
All standing beside my hospital bed.
All worried about me.
And all calling me family.
The entire room was frozen.
Especially Chu Nghiem.
I looked at him.
For the first time in three years, I saw confusion on his face.
His fingers tightened around the medical file.
He tried to stay calm.
But his voice betrayed him.
—You said…
He looked at the three men.
—These three men are all your family members?
I nodded.
—Yes.
A pause.
Then I smiled.
—Does the hospital have a rule saying family members cannot exceed three people?
Chu Nghiem’s expression changed.
He wanted to say something.
But he couldn’t.
Because three years ago, when he left me…
He believed I had nobody.
He believed I was a woman who needed him.
A woman who would eventually return.
But he didn’t know…
After our divorce, I was no longer the same person.
The girl who waited for him disappeared.
The woman who survived without him was born.
After everyone left to discuss the surgery, Chu Nghiem stayed behind.
The room became quiet.
He stood by the window.
I didn’t look at him.
Finally, he spoke.
—Why didn’t you tell me?
I laughed softly.
—Tell you what?
—That you had people around you.
I looked at him.
—Would you have believed me?
He was silent.
Because he knew the answer.
Three years ago, when we divorced, he said:
“You don’t have anyone except me.”
At that time, I didn’t argue.
Because I thought it was true.
But he was wrong.
Completely wrong.
—Chu Nghiem.
I looked away.
—You asked where my husband was.
His face became stiff.
—Don’t misunderstand.
I interrupted.
—You were right.
—There is no husband beside me.
A strange emotion flashed through his eyes.
Relief?
Or disappointment?
I couldn’t tell.
Then I continued:
—But that doesn’t mean I have no one.
His hand slowly clenched.
For the first time, he seemed to understand.
The woman he abandoned had never been waiting for him.
She had been moving forward.
That evening, the doctor came to confirm my surgery.
Everything was ready.
Before leaving, the doctor smiled.
—Your family is very protective of you.
I lowered my eyes.
—They are not my family by blood.
The doctor was surprised.
Then I smiled.
—But they are the people who chose to stay.
Behind the door, Chu Nghiem heard those words.
He stood there silently.
Because suddenly he remembered something.
Three years ago, when he signed the divorce papers…
I had looked at him and asked:
“After I leave, will you ever regret it?”
At that time, he didn’t even raise his head.
He answered:
“No.”
Now, three years later…
For the first time…
Chu Nghiem wanted to take back that answer.
But it was too late.
Because the woman who once needed him…
Had already learned how to live without him.
