Chapter 1

I broke up with my girlfriend, Abigail Bardot, at her lowest point. She clearly despised me, but when she became a CEO with a net worth of millions of dollars three years later, she pursued me, an ordinary office worker.

I became the envy of others, but she ruined our loving and happy relationship three years into our marriage. She began bringing other men home, flaunting her affairs right before my eyes while laughing and flirting with them as if I were invisible.

I became the fool she cheated on, but I never got angry. All I wanted was for her to be happy.

However, Abigail got angry instead. Her nails dug deep into my skin as she yelled, "Are you even a man? Why won't you get mad?"

…

I stared at the ceiling blankly as I listened to their moans through the walls.

The medical report in my hands became crumpled as I clutched onto it tightly.

I was dying. I'd been diagnosed with a rare disease, so rare that it was even named after me—Gebb's disease.

The doctors had offered me a spot in an overseas research trial. It was a slim hope that might buy me a few more years, though I'd be nothing more than their lab rat.

But I'd already given up on treatments. My arms were marked with countless scars from needles. Even in the heat of summer, I had to wear long sleeves to hide them.

I wanted a divorce. I wanted to leave this city and spend whatever days I had left seeing the world.

Just then, my phone rang.

"Hey, Samuel…"

Abigail's sultry voice came through the phone. She was just in the next room, yet she couldn't even bother to call out to me in person.

"Yes," I replied.

I put away the medical report and then went to knock on the door of the next room.

A handsome and muscular man opened the door. He was Ted Simmons, a new trainer at the gym nearby.

He hadn't been to work for a week now, since becoming Abigail's new pet. Abigail had given him a luxurious car worth more than he could have made in his lifetime as a trainer.

At that moment, sweat glistened on his muscular body. There were lipstick marks and traces of her kisses on his neck.

He took a drag on his cigarette and blew a puff of smoke at me.

I instinctively held my breath and swallowed down a wave of nausea.

He threw me a disdainful and mocking glance as he said, "I'm going to take a shower. Remember to cook later. She wants to eat at home today."

I ignored him and entered the room.

The bed was a mess. Abigail sat casually on the armchair beside it, her silk robe slipping off one shoulder as she twirled a cigarette between her fingers.

"Take a seat," she said flatly.

A wave of smoke hit me once I approached.

I gulped hard in disgust as I sat down. I'd always hated the smell of cigarettes.

As a child in the orphanage, I was constantly bullied. The older kids, especially those who enjoyed picking on timid kids like me, would press burning cigarette butts into my palms before forcing me to swallow the ashes and filters. I could still remember the bitter, foul taste of them.

Ever since then, the mere smell of smoke would make me nauseous. But even after three years of marriage, Abigail never noticed this. Or maybe she simply didn't care.

Abigail glanced at me and tapped the bottle of red wine on the table.

"Make lamb chops with red wine tonight. It's Ted's favorite dish."

"Okay." I nodded blankly.

The smell of lamb also turned my stomach, but my preferences had long since ceased to matter. Besides, there wasn't any point in saying anything now. After all, it would all be over soon.

"Then, I'll go make dinner."

"Stop right there!" Abigail frowned and asked, "Didn't you say that you had something to tell me? I didn't come all this way back just to hear you say a few words."

I forced a smile and explained, "I was planning to tell you after cooking you one last meal. Abigail Bardot, let's get a divorce."

For three years, I'd called her honey, baby, and Abi endearingly. Now, it seemed fitting to address her by her full name to put a clean end to this relationship once and for all.

Abigail's face twisted in rage after I spoke, and the atmosphere became tense. She then grabbed the bottle of wine from the table and smashed it against my head.

"What did you say?"

Red wine mixed with my blood trickled down my forehead, and a ringing echo filled my mind.

But Abigail wasn't done yet. She picked up the broken bottle and pressed the jagged edge against my throat.

The sharp glass bit into my skin, and a stinging pain jolted through my body. With just a little push, it would pierce my neck.

In the past, I could have easily brushed off her attacks, but now, in my weakened and sick state, I was as helpless as a lamb to be slaughtered.

"I said, let's get a divorce." I remained calm, even in the face of death.

Abigail suddenly burst out laughing. She tossed the wine bottle aside and gave me a maniacal smile.

"You want a divorce? In your dreams! You'll never escape from me as long as you live."

She grabbed my chin and forced me to look her in the eyes. They were filled with hatred and disgust.

The pain in my head intensified, making it hard to think. I asked, "Why? There's no reason for us to keep this marriage."

She had obviously never loved me, but she kept me trapped in this marriage for three years and refused to let me go, even now.

"No," she said, shaking her head with a taunting smile. "I have every reason to do so. Watching you suffer with nowhere to go gives me great satisfaction.

"Where were you when my family went bankrupt and my parents were dying? You heartless bastard! You ran the moment things got tough!

"Now, I'll make sure that you can't escape even if you try. Even in death, I'll preserve your body just to keep you by my side forever!"

I froze in place, and a bitter feeling surged within me.

Three years ago, when Abigail had reappeared in my life and started pursuing me, I had thought that it was love. But now, every shred of love and tenderness that we had once shared felt like a stab to my heart.

"Is this revenge?" I smiled bitterly.

Abigail didn't answer immediately. She stood up and walked to the door, then said, "You deserve everything that's happening to you now. Get up and clean that disgusting wound of yours. Don't let any of your blood drip onto Ted's lamb chops!"

I forced myself to my feet before tending to my wounds and cleaning up the mess in the room.

Abigail had already gone off to take a shower.

Ted was sitting on the couch, and he exhaled a puff of smoke as he glanced at me.

"Samuel, a man should know his place. Abi doesn't want to get a divorce. It's not because she loves you. Instead, it's because she hates you that she won't let you go.

"The longer you stay here, the worse it will be for her. You should leave if you have any sense. She doesn't need you. All she needs is me."

I said nothing and walked into the kitchen to cook the lamb chops.

Of course, I also wanted to leave and stay far away from Abigail. But unless we got divorced, the news of my death would definitely be a disturbance to her in the future.

I just wanted to die quietly and alone.

As I cooked, my heart twisted painfully. This had once been our home, filled with warmth and happy memories. Abigail had slowly torn it all apart, turning every memory into a source of pain.

She had brought countless men to sleep in the bed we had once shared. Meanwhile, all I could do was cook them meals after their wild nights together.

I wondered when she would finally let me go.

Chapter 2

They left after dinner.

I sat alone in the vast, empty villa, looking out the windows at the overgrown yard. Once upon a time, it had been filled with flowers that we'd carefully tended. There used to be a cluster of white roses, which symbolized the pure love we once shared.

But now, they'd all withered and died, just like my love for Abigail.

Suddenly, I started coughing intensely.

This Gebb's disease had ravaged my immune system. Even a mild cold could be fatal, and whenever the symptoms flared, it felt like every organ in my body was twisting in agony. I curled up on the floor as cold sweat soaked through my clothes.

In a haze, my mind drifted back to the early days of our marriage. Abigail and I used to walk in the garden, hand in hand. The soft scent of her perfume would become intertwined with that of the roses, forming a fragrance that had once enchanted me.

Perhaps she'd once truly loved me. But after I'd left her when she had needed me the most, all that love had turned to hatred.

I remembered how she'd call me even when she had to leave briefly for an urgent errand.

"I'm heading out to the office. Wait for me at home."

Nowadays, every call she made was a command to prepare dinner for her and her latest fling. Sometimes, she would even ask me to fill a warm bath for them.

The phone buzzed beside me. I was in so much pain that the screen was a blur. I answered after struggling a little.

"Abi, I'm waiting for you at home. When will you be back? I think I'm about to die," I whispered.

In my feverish daze, I saw a graceful figure push through the door urgently.

"Abi, welcome home…"

When I came to, I was lying in our old bed. Ever since Abigail started cheating on me, I'd been sleeping in the guest room. The sheets here still held her familiar scent mixed with Ted's cologne, which was a reminder of what they had done here together earlier.

The thought made me gag. I tried to crawl out of bed, but my body gave out. I managed to brace myself against the wall, only to see Ted standing before me.

He smiled at me mockingly. "Samuel, you're pretty good at playing the pathetic card. You're a grown man, yet you're acting so weak and pitiful. It's disgusting."

I frowned slightly but said nothing as I brushed past him and left the room. I was met with the sight of Abigail sitting calmly on the couch. What had happened wasn't a dream.

I fell into a state of confusion.

Abigail looked at me and asked, "You skipped a meal, didn't you? Why didn't you eat the lamb chops we had earlier? You know that you have low blood sugar levels, so stop pretending that you're fine."

Her gentle tone took me by surprise. It had been ages since Abigail had shown any concern for me. She handed me a warm glass of milk before I could process it.

"I added some sugar to this. It should help."

I took the glass and stared at it in silence before saying, "I'm lactose intolerant, so I can't drink milk."

Abigail's smile froze.

Ted scoffed from behind me. "Abi gave you the milk, so you should drink it even if it kills you. Stop being so ungrateful."

"Ted, you should leave," Abigail said coldly.

Ted froze, but he quickly put on a playful smile and wrapped his arms around Abigail's waist.

"Come on, Abi. Didn't we agree that tonight…"

Before he could finish speaking, a hard slap landed on his face.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? Leave!" Abigail yelled.

Ted's face flushed red, and he quickly left.

I felt amused as I watched him retreat in defeat.

He was such a fool for thinking that a few nights with Abigail would win her over. All she wanted was a compliant plaything. The key was to be obedient.

The moment any of her men stepped out of line, she'd discard them without a second thought. Ted was no exception.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" I asked after dumping the milk down the sink. She wouldn't drink anything I'd already touched anyway.

Abigail leaned against the doorway and sneered. "Didn't you say that you were dying? I rushed back to see you, but you look fine. Samuel, were you trying to scare me, or was that your attempt at seduction? Since when did you resort to using these tricks?"

I realized that she had rushed back just to make sure that I was truly dead. I looked at her blankly and replied, "I had no intention of doing that. Since you broke up with Ted, I won't be making dinner for him tonight."

After what had happened this morning, I was sure that my indifference was the sharpest weapon against her. She wanted revenge, so my lack of reaction only made it worse for her.

Sure enough, her face twisted with fury, and her eyes narrowed with anger.

"Tell me. Have you ever regretted leaving me? Do you even feel the slightest bit of guilt for what you did?" Abigail asked coldly.

I smiled and shook my head. "Never."

"Fine!" Abigail spun around and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

…

Later that night, every central news platform reported a headline that ignited a media frenzy.

Photos showed Abigail at a pool, playfully embracing and kissing the latest heartthrob in the entertainment world. She was an unattainable ice queen and also a billionaire. So, every move she made would gain attention.

News of her marrying an ordinary man like me had shaken up the city back then. Now, her latest cheating scandal wasn't exactly news. Everyone knew she swapped men every other week, and I was labeled a cuckold.

But this time, Abigail was making a statement. Usually, she kept her affairs low-key by either bringing them to our home or retreating to a private villa. But now, the leaked photos captured her in the pool from every angle.

Her newest fling, Joshua Levine, was a young actor who was skyrocketing to fame. He was known for his charm and good looks, which made fans swoon over him. But no amount of adoring fans could compare to the benefits he'd gain from being with Abigail, even for a day.

Just then, my phone rang. When I answered it, Abigail said, "Samuel…"

It was that familiar tone. I'd heard it countless times in bed and then through the walls as it echoed from the next room.

"Alright."

I sighed and got up. I knew what she wanted. She wanted to humiliate me in public.

As expected, the paparazzi swarmed me the moment I stepped into the hotel.

Chapter 3

"Mr. Gebb, this is the hotel where your wife is having an affair, right? Are you here to catch her in the act?"

"You've kept quiet all these years. Is this finally the moment you reclaim your dignity as a man?"

"Many people think that you're not good enough for Ms. Bardot. They say that every one of her boyfriends are better than you. Why haven't you divorced her yet?"

"Joshua is a much better match for Ms. Bardot than you are. Isn't it pointless for you to keep refusing a divorce?"

I smiled and took the microphone from the reporter beside me. I glanced at the logo on it and said, "You're from Sky Entertainment. That's Joshua Levine's label, right?

"Why are you so eager for me to get a divorce? Is it because you want Joshua to officially take my place? Even if he succeeds in doing so, does Joshua honestly think that Abigail will be interested in him forever?

"In fact, Joshua should be thanking me. He looks a lot like how I did back then. But time flies. I'd like to advise him to make money in ways that don't just bank on his fleeting youth."

The reporter's expression quickly turned dark. Clearly, he had never interviewed me before, and he didn't know how blunt I could be. After all, people never liked hearing the truth.

I turned to the others and added, "And one more thing. I'll be really grateful if any of you can manage to convince Abigail to divorce me."

With that, I walked into the hotel.

This was a high-end hotel, so the security guards had to do their job and hold off the paparazzi despite their obvious disdain for me.

I went upstairs and knocked on the suite's door. When the door opened, I saw that Abigail was alone in the vast, luxurious presidential suite. But I could hear the steady sound of running water coming from the bathroom.

"Abigail, is someone here?" Joshua called out loudly.

He reminded me of myself back in college when I was passionately in love with Abigail. Back then, I was full of youth and optimism, with the same boyish looks and charm.

Even his voice was uncannily similar. Now, though, my own voice had been irreversibly damaged by the illness, and it had become rough and grating.

"Yes. Be a good boy and finish your shower," Abigail replied gently as her eyes lit up with a smile.

Suddenly, it struck me that maybe Abigail had truly fallen for him. That was why she was so bold about making it public.

"You're here just in time," Abigail said to me. She snapped back to her usual demeanor as she picked up the phone.

Soon, a renowned tailor arrived.

"Your build and appearance are close to Joshua's," Abigail said, glancing toward the bathroom. "Since he's in the shower now, you can try on these suits for him."

For a moment, I'd thought that Joshua was meant to replace me. Now, it seemed like the opposite was true.

I said nothing as I stepped forward and began trying on the suits that the tailor handed to me.

When I put on the jacket, I realized just how much weight I'd lost. Before, this suit would have fit me perfectly, but now, it hung loosely on me.

Abigail noticed this too, and she frowned in dissatisfaction as she asked, "How'd you get so thin?"

She got off the bed and walked toward me. Her pale hand brushed lightly over my chest and my waist.

I watched her, stunned. Her touch felt familiar, almost like how she used to tease me before. But now, it only made my skin crawl.

Although her robe was loose, it was still tied just tight enough to accentuate her curves. The red marks on her neck stood out sharply.

I looked away.

"You're so thin. I can feel your bones. I told you to take care of yourself, didn't I? How else can you stay by my side?" Abigail looked at me with a complex expression.

She then chuckled and showed me her phone. It was open to her Facebook page. In the short time I'd been upstairs, the interview from earlier had sparked hundreds of thousands of comments, and her repost was only fueling the flames.

Abigail had posted, "My husband is just joking. Don't take him too seriously. We're not getting divorced, no matter what. So, please stop asking these questions."

The netizens were in a frenzy.

"Abigail, he's practically begging you for a divorce. Why are you still holding on to him? You're so heartless!"

"I bet he's the one who cheated on her. Ms. Bardot must've faked her affairs to make him regret it!"

"I wonder what Ms. Bardot sees in him. He's thin, and his voice sounds awful."

"Can't Ms. Abigail just get together with Joshua? Why is she keeping him around?"

Abigail put away her phone and smiled radiantly.

"Too bad. You've lost again. Even those comments online couldn't change my love for you. Why would I divorce you over a few rumors? I've changed my mind. I want you to come with me to tonight's party."

I was confused. What party?

Just then, Joshua came out of the shower. His hair was damp, and his skin was fair and smooth. He was indeed very handsome.

He looked at Abigail with his large eyes and asked softly, "Abigail, did I do something wrong? Is that why you don't want me to go with you tonight?"

"Of course not." Abigail smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I just think you look tired today. Go home and rest. He'll accompany me to the boring party instead."

Unlike Ted, Joshua knew better than to argue with her. He nodded obediently and said, "Alright. I'll wait for you at home."

"Go ahead. William, please send these suits back with him."

They shared another lingering, affectionate kiss before parting.

William Shaw, the tailor, seemed used to their actions as he packed up the suits. After all, he had been making suits for Abigail's men since we first got married.

The only difference was that back then, he'd been making them exclusively for me. Almost every suit in my closet was his work, hand-tailored with impeccable skill. This was the first time Abigail had asked him to make suits for another man.

Deep down, I felt uncomfortable about it.

After Joshua left, Abigail instructed the driver to take me home to change into one of my own suits.

When I arrived at the venue, I hesitated at the entrance.

Although the suit I wore now was a little loose due to my weight loss, it still looked sharp. Its tailored lines, elegant cuffs, and pocket square were all carefully coordinated. Each detail had been requested by Abigail.

The banquet hall before me was the very place where we'd held our wedding. The place looked just as it had before, but everything else had changed.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside. Only then did I realize that the true purpose of tonight's event was an ambush which had been meticulously crafted just for me.

The room was filled with familiar faces. They were all former college classmates of mine and Abigail's.

As soon as I entered, I was overwhelmed by everyone's scrutinizing gazes.

Chapter 4

I saw shock and disbelief in their eyes. I knew that I didn't look like the confident man I once was. I had fallen from grace, and now, I had been invited here to be publicly humiliated.

Just then, a mocking voice cut through the crowd. It was Eddie Foster, the heir to a wealthy family.

Word of my situation had already spread amongst them. So, he gave me a scornful look as soon as he saw me.

"Samuel Gebb? It's really you! You've got some nerve showing up at Abigail's party. You're quite shameless."

I stayed silent and went to find a quiet spot to sit down, but Eddie wasn't about to let things slide. He strode over and sneered at me as he asked, "What are you doing here? Did Abigail invite you here to serve us?"

Before I could reply, another guest chimed in with a jeer, "Abigail must've bought you that suit. You're just living off her money, huh?"

I wonder why they would think that. Abigail would've been bankrupt long ago if it weren't for me. She was only worth billions today thanks to my help.

Eddie saw that I wasn't responding, so he pointed at the long table and said, "Since you're here as the help, you should act like it! Can't you see that the glasses are empty? Go over there and refill them before you mess up Abigail's party. Do you think you can handle that responsibility?"

The familiar tone filled with ridicule made me tense up. At that moment, I forgot that I was also a guest at the party.

After getting reprimanded, I stood up numbly and walked toward the storeroom. I didn't notice the glances of the other guests that were filled with pity and sympathy directed at me.

Years of Abigail's treatment had beaten any fight out of me. I didn't dare to defy a word she said. I wouldn't even drink a drop of water if she forbade me from doing so.

I was like a puppet under her control, and I lived my life like her slave.

The other waiters in the storeroom were tall and muscular, while I looked weak and pale. One of them turned to me in confusion and asked, "Are you the new waiter?"

"I…" His question caught me off guard, and I stood there staring at him before giving him a bitter smile and shaking my head. "No, I'm just here to help."

I wasn't sure how to answer his question. I wasn't a waiter, but Abigail had brought me here to humiliate me.

I took the crate of wine he handed over. The weight of it pressed down on me until I could barely catch my breath. Ever since I'd been diagnosed with this rare disease, I knew that my time was running out.

Every day, I could feel my life draining away bit by bit. Even carrying a single crate of wine was enough to crush me, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stay strong.

I was breathing heavily as I turned a corner and accidentally bumped into someone. When I looked up, my expression froze. Standing before me and looking smug was Abigail's new favorite, Joshua.

Joshua was wearing the expensive suit that Abigail had gotten custom-made for him. He stood proudly before me, and his gaze dripped with disdain and scorn. He looked at me condescendingly, as if I were someone so insignificant that he could destroy me with a single breath.

"What are you doing here?" I asked instinctively.

Abigail had claimed that he'd find the party boring and sent him home. So, why was he here?

Joshua smirked and said, "I changed my mind. I think it'd be better if I accompanied Abigail to the party."

Then, he leaned in closer and sneered. "And I thought I'd stop by just to see how you're being humiliated."

After he finished speaking, Abigail's confused voice came from around the corner.

"Why'd you stop?"

Before I could react, Joshua let out a shout. Then, he threw himself onto the crate of wine in my arms. The glass shattered, soaking his clothes with wine.

Joshua grabbed me, and we both fell. My hands landed on the broken glass, and I gasped in pain.

"Samuel, I know you don't like me, but we're in public. Can't you show me a little respect?"

Joshua sat on the ground with tears in his eyes. He was making it seem as if I'd lost my temper and attacked him on purpose.

Abigail rushed over, her face filled with panic as she knelt beside him and inspected him for injuries.

Meanwhile, I struggled to stand up. I winced as I pulled jagged pieces of glass from my bleeding hands. The blood dripped from my hands onto the ground.

My rare condition made every cut feel worse than normal. My face turned ghostly pale from the pain, but Abigail didn't spare me a single glance. Her focus was entirely on her precious Joshua.

"Are you alright, Joshua? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?" Abigail's tone was gentle as she held Joshua's hand with a worried frown.

Joshua shook his head and said, "I don't feel any pain with you here."

He stood up with Abigail's support and looked down at his wine-stained suit with disappointment.

"It's just a shame that the suit you had specially made for me is now ruined. I guess Samuel was upset that I'm wearing something you designed just for me, so he…"

He trailed off, then turned to me with a serious expression and apologized, "Don't worry, Samuel. I'm not here to compete with you. Abigail will always be yours. Please, don't make me leave her. I just want to be by her side." Joshua sounded choked up as he spoke.

His words made it seem as if I had purposely dirtied his clothes. I couldn't bear to watch the show that Abigail and Joshua were putting on, so I turned to leave.

However, Abigail stopped me with a dark expression.

"Samuel, you can't hurt someone innocent! What did Joshua do to deserve this? He's only here because I decided to bring him at the last minute.

"If you have a problem with that, take it out on me, not him. He's a rising star in the entertainment industry. Your actions could cause malicious rumors to spread!"

Abigail began to berate me without knowing the truth.

"I'm warning you, Samuel. I won't forgive you if anything happens to Joshua!"

With Abigail's support, Joshua shot me a smug, triumphant look. Then, he wiped his dirtied clothes and asked, "Abigail, what am I supposed to do now that my suit is ruined? Maybe I should just head home. I can't show up looking like this."

Abigail immediately pointed at me and ordered, "Take off your clothes and give them to Joshua."

I'd grown used to Abigail's unreasonable demands. I didn't even find this surprising. So, without a word, I took off my suit and handed it to her before putting on Joshua's wine-stained clothes.

I probably looked ridiculous.

"Doesn't any of this make you angry?" Abigail snapped as she watched me with a frown.

I smiled calmly and shook my head. "No. I'm used to it."

Chapter 5

"That's great!" Abigail smiled coldly and grabbed Joshua's hand before leaving.

The wound on my hand hurt so much that it drained my strength. I forced myself to stay strong as I went to the restroom to wash my face. Seeing the crimson-stained water in the sink made me nauseous, and I retched several times.

Once I had composed myself, I picked up a crate of wine and returned to the banquet hall. I saw Joshua standing in the center of the crowd, holding Abigail's hand and singing. His eyes were warm as he gazed at her with deep affection, while Abigail smiled back, her gaze never straying from him.

It had been so long since I'd seen her smile like that. But I knew that smile well. When we first got together, she would look at me with that same gentle and loving expression. We were the couple everyone envied.

I wonder when things got to this point. Maybe I made a mistake. I shouldn't have left her to force her to grow.

I had a strong feeling that Abigail was serious about Joshua. They stood at the center of the crowd, drawing admiration and praise from everyone around them. Meanwhile, I was nothing more than a shadow in the corner. All I could do was watch the happy couple from afar.

Then, Abigail's eyes suddenly landed on me as if she'd sensed my gaze. She looked at me with a complex expression, her lips parting as if to speak, but she said nothing.

"Hey, the waiter's back! What are you standing there for? Go refill the drinks." Eddie crossed his arms and smiled mockingly when he saw me.

Since Abigail had no intention of speaking up for me and the others around were watching, eager for the show, I kept silent, taking on the role of the waiter and refilling the drinks.

The lights suddenly dimmed as I finished, and a spotlight fell on Abigail and Joshua. Abigail reached into her purse, pulling out a small, ornate box as she walked toward him.

"Joshua, I organized this party for you," she said, her gaze tender as she opened the box right before me. Inside was a pair of dazzling rings, each set with brilliant red diamonds that sparkled under the lights.

"This pair of rings, known as 'Eternal Love,' is my birthday gift to you."

Cheers erupted from the crowd, people clapping and hooting with excitement. I was still her husband, but they paid me no mind. It was as if Joshua were her rightful partner, and they were giving them their blessings.

"Joshua, you're so lucky to have Abi's promise of eternal love!"

"This is the first time I've seen Abi care so much for a man!"

"So, when's the wedding? Don't worry, we'll get you an expensive gift!"

I couldn't stand listening to their heartfelt congratulations.

I understood that Abigail was doing all this to humiliate me, to provoke a reaction. But tears welled in my eyes when I heard the ring's name.

Onstage, Joshua's face lit up as he stepped forward to Abigail, extending his hand for her to slide the ring onto his finger. He wrapped her in a deep embrace.

"Abigail, you're too good to me! There's only one of these in the world, right? I heard it went for over 130 thousand dollars at auction. I can't believe you bought it just for me. Thank you, Abigail!" he exclaimed, gazing at the ring.

I lowered my head, overwhelmed with emotions. That ring was my grandmother's heirloom. I'd given it to Abigail as a symbol of my commitment when I first confessed my love. Later, when her business was on the brink, I pawned it to help her through the crisis. Now, the first thing she did after buying it back was to give it to Joshua.

It was my grandmother's legacy, and I couldn't bear to see it squandered like this. I marched toward them furiously but stumbled and fell hard on the ground.

Abigail gasped and rushed to my side, trying to help me up.

"Are you alright?" she asked with concern, but I found it revolting. I'd had enough of her pretense. I shoved her hand away and struggled to stand on my own.

Abigail froze, embarrassed that I'd brushed her off in front of everyone. Her eyes turned cold, and she glared at me.

"Samuel, what exactly do you think you're doing?"

Her question made me laugh bitterly. Here I was, a man with maybe a year left to live, being asked what I was trying to achieve. I was already living on borrowed time. Yet here was Abigail, guarding me as if I were a threat to her new lover.

The wound on my hand was throbbing. The fall probably reopened the fresh wounds. I felt like a fool being humiliated before the crowd.

I walked toward Joshua and ordered, "Give it back."

"What do you mean, Samuel? This is Abigail's gift for me!"

Joshua was the best at putting up an innocent act. At this moment, he looked like the innocent victim, while I was the evil villain trying to steal what was his.

"Give it back!" I was so furious I pushed him and grabbed the ring back. I would not allow my grandmother's heirloom to fall into the hands of another man.

"Ouch! That hurts!" Joshua hissed and glared at me with hatred as if he was ready to lash out anytime.

I ignored him and inspected the ring carefully. Relief washed over me when I saw it was intact.

"Abigail, look at him! Why is he doing this?" Joshua whined, clutching onto Abigail.

But Abigail's eyes were fixed on me as she waited for my response.

I stared at him and uttered, "Abigail, I don't care what you give him. Anything but this ring."

Abigail yelled, "Why? I bought this ring. It has nothing to do with you."

"How dare you say that? You don't deserve this ring!" I laughed bitterly as I gripped the ring tightly in my hand.

Chapter 6

Abigail's face darkened when she heard that. She clenched her teeth in anger, then slapped me hard. The sting of it left my cheek burning, and I grunted from the pain. Before I could gather my thoughts, she gripped my throat tightly.

I gasped, and my face flushed as I struggled to breathe, feeling a rush in my head as everything buzzed.

Abigail wasn't done yet. Her face was ice-cold as she demanded, "Samuel, do you even know what you're saying?"

I forced a weak smile. "I've never been clearer."

What did I have left to fear, knowing the end was so near?

"This ring is mine. I'll give it to whoever I want," she snapped, letting go of me.

I clutched the ring in my hand with grim determination. A tense silence fell over the room as people glanced around, unsure if they should step in.

Joshua was very sharp and quick to read the room. He quickly stepped forward and smiled as he grabbed Abigail's hand.

"Abi, don't be mad at him. If he likes it so much, I'll let him have it. Here, Samuel, let me make a toast to you. I shouldn't have made such a big deal of my birthday, upsetting you like this. I'm sorry. Drink this as my token of apology."

Joshua gave me the glass. The strong scent of alcohol hit me, stirring up waves of nausea. My body instinctively rejected it as I stumbled back.

Joshua was stunned, and he looked disappointed. He sighed. "I guess Samuel doesn't want to forgive me."

Abigail snatched the glass from Joshua coldly. She gripped my chin and forced the alcohol into my

I sputtered and choked, but the pain in my hands and the throbbing in my body left me helpless. She pressed me down to sit on a chair and poured the burning liquor down my throat.

The fiery taste invaded my senses, making my stomach twist violently. Sweat dripped from my forehead and trailed down my face as I struggled for breath. The pain was so intense that I couldn't breathe.

I collapsed to the floor, curling up in agony and coughing harshly. My mouth was filled with a metallic taste, and I spat out a mouthful of blood.

Abigail's initial look of disgust quickly morphed into horror. She shouted, "What's wrong? Get up!"

I could hear Abigail's commanding voice just before I passed out, as if I were nothing more than a servant at her beck and call.

I thought I had finally gotten my release. But fate had different plans.

When I opened my eyes again, the strong scent of antiseptic hit me, making me wince. I tried to sit up, but a gentle hand pressed me back down.

"The doctor said you need rest. Just lie down," a soft, soothing voice said, stopping me in my tracks.

I looked up and found myself staring into the eyes of a beautiful young woman.

"You're… Abigail's assistant?" I finally recognized her.

Her cheeks flushed as she nodded. "We've met quite a few times, but I never got the chance to properly introduce myself. I didn't know if you remembered me."

I managed a weak smile. "Of course I remember."

But she shook her head, a little disappointed. "My name is Sophia Smith."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Smith," I replied politely.

Her smile froze, and the disappointment in her eyes grew even deeper. "I guess you really don't remember me."

I didn't understand the meaning behind her words, but I offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry. We met a few times, but I never caught your name."

Back then, my whole world was Abigail. I'd always kept a careful distance from other women, even if they were just part of her life. Sophia was Abigail's assistant, but I didn't even have her contact information.

I pulled out my phone and said, "You must have been the one who brought me here. Thank you for taking care of me. Why don't you give me your number? I'd like to treat you to lunch sometime as a thank-you."

Sophia's face lit up as she recited her number. We added each other on our contacts and on social media, and I couldn't help but notice her flushed cheeks, as though adding me was a big deal for her.

But just as she was smiling, tears welled up in her eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek. I was startled and fumbled to get her a tissue.

"Are you alright?"

Women were a strange species. She was laughing for a moment, and crying the next.

Sophia looked at me with teary eyes and said, "Are you trying to kill yourself? You're sick! You know you can't drink or exhaust yourself. You can't get hurt either. Otherwise, you'll get an infection, and it might cost your life!"

I was stunned by Sophia's words. It had been a long time since someone spoke to me with such concern.

My wife was too busy enjoying her life with her lover, yet her assistant had been the one to bring me here, caring for my injuries.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "Everyone dies eventually. For me, it would mean freedom."

Every second with Abigail was agonizing and painful, but over the years, I had become numb to it.

Since she refused to divorce me, I had given up and waited for death. That was the only release for me.

But Sophia shook her head with tears in her eyes and sobbed, "No, Samuel! Don't say that. You have to fight. I know you can get through this if you stick with the treatment."

I sighed and smiled sadly. "It's no use. I have a rare disease. Right now, there's no treatment that can cure it."

"But…" Sophia started.

Just then, my phone rang from the bedside table. I glanced at the caller ID, and my heart clenched. It was a call from the private care facility.

Had something happened to my sister?

Chapter 7

My heart raced with anxiety as I picked up the call.

"Hello, is this Mr. Gebb?" It was Dr. Liam Benson from the hospital.

A wave of dread washed over me, and I hesitated before replying, "Yes, this is Samuel. Dr. Benson, is something wrong with my sister?"

Although I was prepared for the news, chills ran down my back when I heard Liam's update on my sister.

"Mr. Gebb, Kayla's cancer cells have started to spread. The chances of success with surgery aren't high. Would you prefer we proceed with surgery, or would you like to consider a non-surgical approach?" he asked gravely.

His words plunged me into the deepest pits of despair. I felt every glimmer of hope drain from me.

Kayla was everything to me. I wanted her to live a healthy life no matter what.

I took a shaky breath and asked, "What is a non-surgical approach, and what are the odds with surgery?"

Liam answered patiently, explaining, "A non-surgical treatment would involve medication to slow the progression, but with the rate of her cancer's spread, I'm afraid…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but I already knew. Both Kayla and I had fragile, unique health profiles.

My condition had only been diagnosed this year after lying dormant, but Kayla's was different. She'd been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer at age three, the first known case of its kind worldwide. No doctor had dared to attempt surgery on her.

All these years, she had been surviving on medication alone.

Just recently, she had been walking. She held my hand and asked me for a doll set for her 12th birthday.

I thought she was finally getting better. How could it have spread so fast that surgery now offered only the slimmest chance?

Given the severity of her condition, it seemed that either option led down the same bleak path. But if there was even a slight chance with the surgery, I had to try. If it worked, she would be safe. I silently prayed, vowing to do whatever it took to help her pull through.

As I told the doctor I wanted to go ahead with surgery, Liam delivered even heavier news.

"Mr. Gebb, our hospital doesn't have the expertise required to perform such a complex surgery."

My heart sank, and I clutched the phone tightly. "What should I do?"

Liam replied gravely, "There might be a sliver of hope if we bring in a top specialist from outside. But the surgery would cost a lot. We estimate it will cost around a hundred thousand dollars."

I exhaled in relief. If there was any chance to cure my sister, I'd find a way to cover the surgery costs, no matter what. After finalizing the details with Liam, I ended the call, planning to ask Abigail for a loan. Since our marriage, she'd been in control of all our finances.

But as the thought crossed my mind, Sophia asked solemnly, "Do you need money?"

I forced a bitter smile, brushing it off. "Why would you ask that?"

Without answering, she offered quietly, "If you need money, you can come to me anytime. I don't have much savings, only 30 thousand dollars, but I'd be willing to lend it all to you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly thanked her, worried that she might see my tears.

Sophia seemed to notice that I didn't want to show her my weak side, so she quickly stood up and said, "I'll be going now. I'll check on you tomorrow."

I nodded and thanked her, breathing a sigh of relief as she left. I couldn't possibly accept her kindness.

Kayla desperately needed that money, and I couldn't waste another second. I picked up my phone and called Abigail.

The phone rang, but Abigail never answered. She was probably busy in some business meetings or out with her lover.

I sent her a carefully worded message.

"Abigail, Kay is seriously ill. She needs 100 thousand dollars for surgery. Could you lend me the money? I promise I'll pay you back."

Just as I hit send, the door opened, and Joshua walked in, holding a bouquet. He flashed a cheerful smile and greeted me enthusiastically.

"Samuel, are you feeling better?"

I wasn't in the mood to chat, so I simply replied, "Much better. Thanks for asking."

Joshua didn't seem bothered by my cold tone. Instead, he cheerfully set the bouquet on the bedside table with a grin. "These flowers are from Abi. She asked me to bring them, but I picked them out myself. I hope you like them."

The pollen hit me immediately, triggering a fit of sneezing. Frowning, I waved him off. "Do me a favor and take those away."

I'd been allergic to pollen since childhood and had told Abigail about it more than once.

She'd promised to remember each time, yet she continued to bring fresh flowers into the house, placing them in vases. When I'd asked her why, she'd just smiled and said she wanted to live life elegantly, as if she had forgotten entirely about my allergy.

I didn't know if Abigail sent these flowers, but I knew Joshua didn't have good intentions.

Joshua's face darkened when he heard my request. He grabbed the bouquet, then sneered as he dropped it on the floor and stomped on it.

"It seems like you're still jealous of me deep down, aren't you?" He grabbed my hand and twisted it with a sneer. "But so what? Abigail is in love with me, not you. Nothing you do will change a thing."

He pressed his fingers into the wound on my hand, and I gasped in pain, but he didn't let go. Instead, he dug his fingers deeper, blood soaking through the bandages. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, calculated malice.

Just then, the sharp sound of high heels echoed from the hall. Joshua quickly grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it to the ground, then let out a dramatic gasp, stumbling back and collapsing heavily on the floor.

"Samuel, I visited you out of concern. Why did you hit and yell at me?"