As the pain in my heart surged, I stood up and pushed Sadie to the ground with all my strength. I shouted, "Then why did you come back? Get out! Get out!"

Before Sadie could respond, Keith's angry voice rang out behind me. "Zoey, what are you doing?"

That night, I watched helplessly as Keith pulled Sadie into his arms, his face full of concern as he asked repeatedly if she was hurt. Then, without sparing me a second glance, he helped her out of the room.

Before leaving, he threw one disgusted remark over his shoulder, "If you've lost your mind, clean it up and apologize when you're thinking straight."

He never gave me a chance to explain and never asked why I acted that way. In his eyes, I was just a rude, brainless orphan—someone who would never understand proper behavior.

The next day, I packed my things and checked out of the hospital.

I went to see Elizabeth, the only person in this world who truly cared for me. She held my hands in sorrow, her voice trembling. "Zoey, are you really leaving? Keith has feelings for you. Won't you reconsider? That foolish boy—I'll set him straight for you. Please, don't go."

I looked out at the bare trees outside the window. Parting was always sad, but things would get better eventually. "Grandma, I've already made up my mind. Please don't tell Keith for now."

That afternoon, Keith called me. His voice had lost all its warmth. Ever since Sadie returned, everything had changed beyond recognition.

"Zoey, why didn't you wait for me when you were discharged from the hospital? I rushed there for nothing! And about last night, no matter the reason, you shouldn't have resorted to violence. Can't you see that Sadie's hand is hurt? She told me you misunderstood our relationship. Zoey, can you stop being so unreasonable? We're not even married yet—what gives you the right to control who I can be friends with? With your attitude, I think we should postpone the wedding for a few years!"

I didn't bother worrying about what Sadie had said about me to Keith. Instead, when I heard the words "postpone the wedding," I felt an unexpected sense of relief. "Keith, can you come with me to visit my parents the day after tomorrow?" I asked calmly.

He was stunned, clearly not expecting such a quick change of topic. Normally, I'd have cried and explained that I only acted that way because I cared about him, but not this time. I was as calm as still water.