# Chapter 18: A Dangerous Coincidence Behind Hospital Walls
Hello, dear readers! I hope you're all having a wonderful day. Today, I'll take you back into the gripping world of "The Untouchable Ex Wife" as we unravel the tangled threads of fate, coincidence, and unspoken truths in Chapter 18. Trust me, this one is full of close calls, hidden pain, and a discovery that could shatter everything. So grab your headphones and settle in. Let's dive right in!
---
From behind the wall near the corner, Renee couldn't help but smile as she watched Stefan devour her dumplings, his face lighting up with every satisfying bite. To her, seeing the torment in his eyes easing into simple comfort was a quiet victory. *'That's right,'* she thought warmly. *'Good food always helps to melt your worries away!'* If only life's most painful wounds could heal as easily as a hearty meal could mend a bad mood.
But fate wasn't done stirring the pot. A couple of hours later, the doors to the operating room finally swung open, and the weight of the moment crashed back onto the scene. Stefan, who had been pacing like a nervous shadow, immediately rushed toward the doctors, his heart hammering in his throat.
"Don't worry," the lead doctor spoke, his face tired but reassuring. "She's still alive, but her back and legs are severely injured. She will be required to stay in bed for quite a while. As her guardian, you'll have to take care of her during this period."
"Thank goodness she's okay," Stefan exhaled, a heavy weight suddenly lifting from his chest. Relief washed over him like a wave, but somewhere in the shadows, Renee's heart dropped to the floor.
*'What? Murphy hurt her back too?'* Renee gulped, her eyes wide. *'This is such a coincidence! It's as if history is repeating itself all over again...'*
What she didn't know yet was that all the orthopedic wards in the hospital were located on the same floor. That meant Jovan and Seraphina's rooms would inevitably be near one another. The realization hit her like a bucket of ice water. *'That means we're going to bump into each other no matter what!'*
The last thing Renee wanted was an awkward, painful encounter—or worse, exposing the carefully guarded truth of who she truly was and who she was caring for. So she adapted, as she always did. She arrived early and left late, staying faithfully by Jovan's side like a ghost who refused to fade away. If she needed anything—even something as simple as a glass of water—she would ask the nurses for help rather than risk crossing paths with the man she was trying so desperately to avoid.
Three long days passed in this manner. Three days of constant vigilance, quiet footsteps, and calculated timing. And to her immense relief, the two never once bumped into each other.
But fate had other plans simmering quietly in the background.
In another room down the hall, Stefan was playing the part of the perfect fiancé. Despite the pain racking Seraphina's body, the woman couldn't suppress the sweetness blooming in her chest as he peeled an apple for her in gentle, careful strokes. His hands moved with tenderness, each curl of red skin a testament to his devotion—or at least, his guilt.
A nurse happened to come by to change Seraphina's IV drip, and when she saw the affectionate sight, she let out a quiet, envy-filled sigh. "Mr. Hunt sure treats Miss Murphy well. Are you people from Aeos always this sweet when it comes to love?"
Seraphina smiled—a practiced, polished curve of her lips. "Isn't love supposed to be sweet? What does it have to do with race?"
The nurse tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, you're right, but that's because we've seen another loving couple from Aeos, too. They left quite an impression on all of us here."
Curiosity piqued, Seraphina leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"In our town, this couple was always known as the standard," the nurse continued, a dreamy look washing over her face. "Their names are Joan and Van. Their story is truly touching, actually. Van is a handsome man, but he's disabled and blind. And Joan—oh, that wonderful woman—she's taken great care of him from the very beginning, swearing she would never leave his side. It brings tears to our eyes every time we talk about them."
"Coincidentally," the nurse added with growing excitement, "Van got injured and was admitted to this hospital. Joan even bought him some cake and fed it to him just to make him feel better. Our male staff turned green with envy. They all wished they could have a girlfriend like Joan too."
"They're the standard?" Seraphina echoed, intrigued. "If they're from Aeos too, we might just become friends!"
But Seraphina wasn't the only one hanging onto every word. Beside her, Stefan's hands had stilled over the apple. *Joan.* The name rang through his mind like a bell striking in an empty cathedral. His memory was sharp, impeccable. He remembered the soft-spoken woman he'd met at the marketplace—the one whose eyes carried worlds of untold pain. *Joan.*
Something stirred in his chest. It was subtle at first—almost like the ghost of a heartbeat longing to break free. Why did that name feel so familiar? Why did his heart ache as though it recognized something his mind had long forgotten?
"What's wrong?" Seraphina, sharp as a blade, caught the subtle shift in his expression. "Do you know her?"
Stefan blinked and shook his head quickly, masking his emotions behind a calm facade. "No. I just think the name is interesting."
But Seraphina wasn't easily fooled. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, searching for cracks in his armor. Yet she let it go, forcing a playful whine to her lips instead. "Hey now, don't go running around to other girls while I'm bedridden! You're stuck with me forever now!"
Her words were light, teasing, but underneath them lay a current of insecurity she could never quite silence.
"Say," she continued, tilting her head like a curious child, "if I end up disabled and blind one day, would you take care of me or abandon me?"
Stefan gave a gentle chuckle, returning his attention to the apple. "Of course, I won't abandon you, you silly thing. I'd take care of everything for you like a little baby. After all, you didn't abandon me during my darkest times."
Seraphina's smile trembled at the edges. "Y... Yeah!" she replied, her voice catching slightly. Guilt coiled in her stomach like a snake. She knew all too well that their relationship was built on lies and manipulation, not genuine love. Every gentle word Stefan gave her was earned through dishonesty, and she could never shake the fear that one day, the truth would tear everything apart.
As noon approached, a nurse entered the room carrying a warm bowl of delicious seafood dumplings. Steam rose from the dish, filling the space with a tantalizing aroma. Stefan's eyes lit up—an involuntary response he couldn't control.
These days, he'd noticed the dumplings always arrived either in the afternoon or evening, as if they were specifically scheduled to be delivered to him. It was strange, but comforting. Almost like a secret ritual performed by an unseen guardian.
Little did he know, the guardian was closer than he thought—and yet farther away than he could ever imagine.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
Oh my, what a tension-filled chapter! The narrative beautifully weaves the painful irony of Renee and Stefan existing in the same space, taunted by proximity yet separated by secrets and fear. I couldn't help but hold my breath every time the story hinted at a potential encounter, and my heart ached for Renee, who is trying so hard to heal a man who cannot see her, while avoiding the man who once broke her. The subplot with the nurse gossiping about "Joan and Van" adds a delicious layer of dramatic irony—everyone is talking about Renee, but nobody realizes she's right under their noses!
Seraphina's guilt-ridden insecurity makes her more human, yet her manipulative foundation still makes me uneasy. The chapter leaves us craving more, with all these hidden truths threatening to explode at any moment.
**⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 5 Stars**
## Next Chapter Prediction
I sense a storm brewing! With Stefan now actively drawn to the name "Joan" and this mysterious caretaker's constant delivery of dumplings, his curiosity is bound to get the better of him soon. The question is—will he discover the truth before Renee can slip away? And with Seraphina's growing suspicion of Stefan's distracted heart, I wouldn't be surprised if she starts digging into the identity of this mysterious caregiver from Aeos. A confrontation or accidental meeting may be right around the corner, and when Stefan realizes the woman feeding him was his ex-wife all along... everything could collapse in an instant!
To listen free the next reviews chatpers, please access website novelsaudio.com and search keyword: The Untouchable Ex Wife or click the link in the description of this video or if you want to listen or read full the The Untouchable Ex Wife please access website novelsaudio.com