Alice Long and I were caught in the crossfire. When my boyfriend—a combat medic responsible for saving the wounded—came to our rescue, he pushed me aside.

Gently cradling Alice, the girl I had shielded, he shot me a cold glance and said, "Crystal, I'm deeply disappointed in you. She needs immediate care to avoid infection!"

What about me? Was I meant to die instead?

When my flag-draped coffin arrived home, he had the nerve to weep openly at my memorial.

This once-renowned combat medic, celebrated around the globe, never set foot outside his room again.

The Moment of Truth

The sound of cannon fire crashing down left me spinning in circles. Through the haze of it all, the distinct scent of disinfectant brought me back to my senses.

A moment later, I saw Sebastian.

"Seb, my head hurts!"

I tried to reach out and grab the hem of his coat. I saw the faint glimpse of his worry, but Alice Long, who was in my arms, just had to burst into tears.

"Seb, my leg hurts a lot. I'm losing a lot of blood. Will I die here? I miss my family!"

He panicked the moment she cried.

He crouched, pushing me aside to check on Alice's bones. Then, he let out a breath of relief and carried her.

As if acting on instinct, I grabbed his leg. "Don't leave."

In a flash, Sebastian shot me a cold glance, saying, "Crystal, I'm deeply disappointed by you. Even at such a time, you're still competing with Alice. You've merely scraped your arm. Plus, you're a war correspondent. Combat nurses will disinfect your wound, but Alice's different. She needs immediate care to avoid infection!"

There were more explosions before he had even finished speaking.

With a swift motion, Sebastian shook me off and left the scene.

My head was already giving me hell, so I didn't argue with him. All I could do was watch as he left with Alice in his arms.

'Sebastian, how can I stop disappointing you?' was what I wanted to ask him. 'You said Alice's like a sister, so I tried to be tolerant and protect her… but why do you think I'm bullying her?'

I had craved his love and approval, but I wouldn't humble myself to that degree to beg him for it…

'My head is hurting way too much. Oh, Sebastian, I suddenly feel so cold. Can you hold me?'

…

A group of doctors and nurses had gathered around me. I knew them well—they were my comrades. As soon as they found me, they quickly rushed me to safety.

Unfortunately, Sebastian wasn't among them.

He had never once returned.

…

Dr. John was desperately performing CPR on me to no avail. My soul slowly left my heartbroken body as I flatlined, as evidenced by the ECG.

I could see the doctors and nurses quietly sobbing at this. Gathering in a line, they bowed.

Yet, my heart felt like something was squeezing it, causing me tremendous pain.

'What the hell is going on? Now that I have turned into a spirit, can I still feel heartache?' I found myself thinking.

'I'm sorry, my comrades. I wasted a chance at medical rescue, and I wasted the life I had ahead of me. I should’ve stayed with you, continued to fight for world peace, contributed more…'

Although I had experienced countless partings and deaths, I still couldn't bear to watch my comrades paying "me" their last respects.

Guiltily, I floated off, never expecting to land next to Sebastian.

He was next to the unconscious Alice, staring blankly at the scenery outside the tent.

So, I bent down and stared at him.

Years of being outdoors had added a rugged charm to his once handsome features.

Back when the war first broke out in Xilian, he had joined Doctors without Borders behind his family. On the battlefield, he basically risked his life to save others.

Later, he was even featured in "Times Magazine" as a model humanitarian.

When I read his interview, something stirred in me. With him as an idol, I worked hard, eventually becoming a war correspondent.

Finally, I was able to be with him as an equal.

As we repeatedly fought side by side, we eventually fell in love.

Yet, who knew he would have someone else? Someone whom he called "his sister"?

She continuously caused havoc in our relationship, eventually causing his vows and promises to become my heartache.

I really wanted to yank Sebastian's air and yell, "Do you really care for her? Or do you take me as a fool?"

As soon as I was done, Sebastian suddenly met me in the eye, causing me to freeze in shock.

Will He Mourn for Me?

When I finally came to my senses, I realized he wasn't really looking at me but was simply staring through my soul to check on Alice's condition.

"Dr. Winters!" A newly arrived field nurse burst into the tent. She didn't understand the connection between Sebastian and me, but her face was pale with urgency as she delivered John's message. "The patient Dr. John was working on just now has been declared brain dead. Do you want to take another look?"

Sebastian stood up without hesitation and walked toward Alice's bedside. She was groaning restlessly at this moment.

His voice was firm as he replied, "Dr. John is just as capable as I am. If he has declared the patient dead, there's nothing more I can do."

The nurse stood there, frozen in disbelief, her eyes wide and questioning.

I shook my head, too, knowing this was just how Sebastian was. He had seen death so many times that he no longer flinched at its arrival. He always focused on saving the living. But for the dead? He spared no unnecessary grief.

'But, Sebastian, this time, it's not just anyone, it's your lover who has fought alongside you for so many years. How can you not even want to see me one last time? How much must you hate me?' I mused sadly.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. "I have to take care of this girl," he explained calmly.

The nurse turned her head, glancing at the figure lying on the bed. When she saw that Alice only had a single, small bandage wrapped around her calf, her expression almost most twisted in shock.

She cast a strange glance at him before turning away in silence.

Moments after the nurse was gone, John burst in. He grabbed Sebastian's arm and said sternly, "Seb, maybe if we remove the bomb fragments from her brain, we can still save her! You're a skilled neurosurgeon, come with me!"

I looked at John's sad and anxious look, and my heart ached again!

But Sebastian gently pulled his arm free from John's grip. "John, you need to calm down. You're also a doctor who has seen enough to know when it's time to accept the reality of the situation."

A surge of anger welled up inside me, hot and uncontrollable. I wanted to slap him but found that I couldn't touch him at all! I was so angry!

John's mouth hung open, words failing him for a moment. When he finally spoke again, his voice was heavy with conviction. "She's an exceptional war correspondent. The world needs her, Seb."

Suddenly, a deep sadness washed over me, a sorrow for my comrades, who had fought so hard for me, worrying and rushing around in their attempts to save me. And an even deeper grief for the indifference of my lover, who had been by my side no matter rain or shine.

But I had no regrets. Alice was still a life in this world. Even if she weren't Sebastian's beloved woman, I wouldn't have hesitated to save her.

Sebastian froze for a moment, then patted John on the shoulder, and said, "My condolences. Please send my respects to our fallen comrade."

John's eyes were red, brimming with unshed tears as he glanced at Sebastian. He muttered, "Don't come to regret this!" and ran off without waiting for a reply.

I watched John's retreating figure. Slowly, I crouched down and wrapped my arms around myself tightly.

Sebastian stood there, lost in thought, his brows knitted as John's words echoed in his mind. But just moments later, Alice's pained whimpers pulled him back, drawing his attention like a magnet.

I could only watch as he tenderly comforted her. If I were still alive, I was sure my tears would be streaming down my face by now.

'Sebastian, there will never be another Crystal in this world. Will you ever mourn for me?' I mused bitterly.

...

Alice had fully awakened now. And as if pulled by some invisible force, I found myself stuck at Sebastian's side and had no choice but to helplessly watch as he wrapped his arms around her and sang a song, Little Nightingale, from my hometown.

I couldn't help but shout inwardly in frustration, "Your Southpark accent is awful!"

I was the one who taught him that song, though he learned it begrudgingly. And yet, it wasn't long before Alice overheard him singing it. From that moment on, every time she struggled with insomnia, she would call him and insist he sing this tune.

It bothered me to no end. I protested more than once, but my complaints were always met with his stern gaze and scolding words. "Alice's insomnia is severe, and only this song helps her sleep. Can't you be more understanding and stop being so self-centered in everything?"

As he was singing halfway through the song, his voice suddenly faltered. He brushed her hair with his fingers and said, "Alice, you should have a good rest first. I need to step out for a bit."

She pouted and looked at him reluctantly. "Alright. But come back soon, okay? My leg doesn't hurt when you're by my side."

He smiled gently and playfully tapped her forehead. Only then did he turn and step out of the tent.