PAGES OF MY LIFE

Part 27: Sacrifice

The wedding had been a grand success, filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories. As the newlyweds, Lai and Lee, set off on their honeymoon, Thandar returned to her usual routine, trying to push aside any lingering emotions from the day.

But life had other plans.

Back at her hospital, Thandar was met with an urgent call. A high-profile patient had been admitted—Karen. The news hit her like a shockwave. Karen and Evan had been in a car accident, but only Karen was seriously injured.

Thandar rushed to the emergency room, her heart pounding. Karen, the woman who now held the heart of the man she once loved, lay there in pain. As Thandar prepared herself to provide the best care possible, her thoughts swirled. Evan was by Karen's side, his face streaked with tears as he clutched Thandar's arm.

"Save her, please," Evan pleaded, his voice choked with emotion.

Thandar's heart ached seeing Evan in such distress. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and proceeded with the surgery to save Karen.

After hours in the operating room, Thandar emerged, her face tired but resolute. She approached Evan, who had been anxiously waiting.

"She's safe now. Everything's alright," Thandar said, placing a reassuring hand on Evan's shoulder.

Evan looked up at her, his eyes red and relieved. "Thank you, Thandar."

Thandar offered a small, empathetic smile.

When Karen regained consciousness, Evan, Elisa, and Dinoy were by her side. Karen, her eyes swollen with tears, looked at Evan with a broken voice.

"I'm sorry I caused the accident," Karen said, her voice trembling.

"No, what are you talking about?" Evan assured her, his face filled with concern. "It's not your fault."

"If only I hadn't started that argument, this wouldn't have happened," Karen cried.

"No, no, no. It's not your fault. Everything's alright, don't worry," Evan insisted, trying to comfort her.

Elisa and Dinoy, understanding the gravity of the situation, gave them some space to talk privately.

"Evan, are you really okay?" Karen asked, her teary eyes searching his face.

"Don't think about everything for now. Just focus on your recovery," Evan said gently.

Karen had a special nurse assigned for her best recovery. Also, the best doctor, Thandar, was personally overseeing her treatment, ensuring her recovery was faster than expected.

Finally, it was the day of discharge, and Karen was leaving the hospital. As Evan drove her home, Karen turned to him with a serious expression.

"Do you want to get married?" Karen asked, her voice steady but filled with underlying emotion.

Evan, taken aback, slightly smiled. "What are you talking about?" He reached out to hold her hand, but Karen gently pulled it away.

"We're not young anymore, Evan. I'm serious," Karen said firmly.

Evan's smile faded as he absorbed her words. "I... I... I don't know what to say."

Karen's eyes were filled with tears. "You still like her, don't you?"

Evan hesitated, struggling with his feelings. "No... It's just that..."

Karen's gaze was filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. "Back at Lee and Lai's wedding, I could see it. You never let anyone else hold your heart as dearly as you did with Thandar. The way you look at her is different from how you look at me."

Evan's voice cracked with emotion. "Karen, you misunderstood. I care about you deeply"

Karen shook her head, a bittersweet smile on her face. "I've never heard you say you love me too, Evan. You never asked me out; it was always me making the moves. I really like you... I really love you... but I think time doesn't let me be with you. Stop denying that you don't love Thandar anymore, because I know you do. Four months of spending time with you, I realized so many things. One of them is that love shouldn't hurt; it should heal."

"I'm sorry," Evan cried, his voice breaking.

"Don't be sorry," Karen said softly. "It's never been your fault. It was I who approached you when I know you wasn't fully healed yet."