On the day I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, his childhood friend announced her pregnancy on Facebook. Ethan rushed home and signed the divorce papers, but he threw my diagnosis report on the floor with disdain. "Sophia, don't you think this pathetic attempt to win me back is a bit unnecessary?" 01 Ethan saw the divorce papers I had prepared, and at the same time, he saw my diagnosis report. "Sophia, stop using these pathetic tricks." Ethan casually tossed the paper on the floor. "I’ve been using you all along. My love for you was all fake." "I know," I replied softly, my stomach cramping in pain. I had known since the day he testified against my father in court, since his childhood friend, Chloe, told me it was my father who had ruined their families. "I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Just pretend you didn't see it." I carefully put my diagnosis report away and handed him a pen. "Asking for a few million in the divorce settlement shouldn't be too much for Mr. Vance, right?" I couldn't defend my father's actions. But Ethan had lied to me for ten years; that had to be worth something. When I went to visit my dad in prison, he looked incredibly haggard. He said, "Sophie, don't blame Ethan. It was all my greed back then. You two live a good life together, and just remember to visit me often." Fighting back a sob, I forced my tears down. I said, "Okay." I had promised my dad I would live a good life. I was going to get treatment, survive, and strive to outlive him. Ethan's cold sneer pulled me back from my memories. "A few million? Is that enough to pay off his debts?" Ethan flipped open the agreement and read it carefully. "Should I have my lawyer revise this?" Every word hit my heart like a block of ice. "My father wronged you, and he wronged many people. I know that. But you don't have to pay for it." My hand holding the paper curled up, wrinkling the edge, my sweaty palm slowly dampening it. "This money buys my ten years. It's enough." "Fine." Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched, his eyes terrifyingly cold. He had disguised himself perfectly for ten years. In front of me, he let me throw tantrums and vent my emotions on him. He had always been careful to protect my feelings, his expression as gentle as day one for ten years straight. This was the first time I had ever seen him angry. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and the pen looked like it was going to snap in half. Ethan signed quickly. His handwriting was a bit messy due to his haste, and every stroke was so forceful it seemed to tear through the paper. "My dad bought this house for us as a wedding gift. I plan to sell it to pay off some of his debts. I've already packed your things; they're in those big boxes. The things you gave me are in there too." As I spoke, I subconsciously looked down and noticed a small patch of skin on my ring finger that was a different shade—where my wedding ring used to be. When Ethan proposed, he told me that if I put it on, I would be tied to him for a lifetime. I had cried and replied that a lifetime was too short; I wanted the next life too. But there were no two lifetimes, not even one. We only had ten years. To me, those ten years felt fleeting, but for Ethan, every day must have felt like a year. "You..." I interrupted him: "You packed so fast. Why did you always pretend to be so scatterbrained before?" A sentence can have completely different meanings depending on the tone, and Ethan's was clearly sarcastic. I used to be very scatterbrained, and Ethan always kept the house perfectly organized. My lips curled up slightly: "It's not fast. It's been two months since my dad was sent to prison, Mr. Vance." He hadn't been home for two months, but I could see his updates on Chloe's Facebook. I knew Chloe posted them deliberately for me to see. As for why we were Facebook friends... it was because she was Ethan's secretary. Three years after Ethan started his company, she barged into our lives. She pretended to be my good friend, sending me dozens of messages every day, sharing details of Ethan's life at work, making me completely drop my guard around her. Little did I know, it was all exactly what she wanted me to see. Ethan's pupils contracted, and he pursed his lips in silence. "When it comes to pretending, Mr. Vance is clearly the master." I forced the corners of my mouth up, refusing to let my tears fall. Ethan's tall figure loomed over me, and the smell of nicotine instantly flooded my nose. "Pregnant women shouldn't be exposed to secondhand smoke. Think about Chloe and smoke less." I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away. Chloe's latest Facebook post was a picture of a positive pregnancy test. At that time, I was holding the freshly printed divorce agreement. The paper was warm, but my hands and feet were ice cold. I guess I should have 'liked' it. Ethan hadn't expected my push and stumbled back two steps before catching his balance. A flash of shock crossed his eyes, but he quickly returned to his cold demeanor. "Didn't you say you were selling the house? I'll offer 10% above market value. Sell it to me, and you leave." As soon as he finished, I was the one in shock. I didn't understand why Ethan was being so spiteful. Maybe he just had too much money and nowhere to spend it. I had no reason to turn down money, so I nodded. "But before the contract is finalized, I'd like you to move out first." "I'll call my lawyer right now to draft the purchase agreement. I'll wire you the money together, and you move out." Ethan was inexplicably acting like a petulant child, his jaw clenched tight, emphasizing the words "you move out." His anger was his business, but this arrangement suited me perfectly. I nodded again: "Arrange it however you like. I have an appointment this afternoon." With that, I went into the bedroom to pack my own things. There wasn't much left. After removing what I gave Ethan and what he gave me, and considering I was in a rush to leave, I had already purged my belongings once. The moment I closed my suitcase, the purchase agreement was sent over. The moment I signed, I caught sight of my relieved smile in the mirror. I looked up and met Ethan's eyes, startled by his dark, brooding face. On a whim, I said to him, "Pleasure doing business with you." As I was leaving, a large box flew past me and landed in the trash can in the hallway. The loud crash startled me. Before I could recover, another box flew into the trash. I didn't need to look back to know it was Ethan. He was throwing away the trash. One box was the things he gave me; the other, the things I gave him. When I regained my composure, I didn't look back and stepped into the elevator. Strangely, until the elevator doors closed, I didn't hear the sound of his door shutting behind me. 02 Ethan's money arrived very quickly. It seemed he was even more eager to end this relationship than I was. But surprisingly, we ran into each other that very afternoon, in the hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department. The child of one of the victims from years ago had just been born. Due to a breech presentation, they faced exorbitant medical bills. I wanted to help them. Of course, I also hoped they might put in a good word for my dad. The woman's husband said she refused to see me. He also said that since she had just given birth, her emotions were unstable, and he asked me never to appear before them again. Dejected, I left the maternity ward, only to bump straight into a couple: Ethan and Chloe. Their shock at seeing me was equal to mine. I had no desire to humiliate myself, so I pretended not to see them and quickened my pace to walk past. As we brushed past each other, my wrist was suddenly grabbed. A large, slightly damp palm clamped down on me. My forward momentum was halted, and my heart gave a sharp jolt. Terrified, I looked up into Ethan's bloodshot eyes. The smell of nicotine on him was even stronger than this morning, making me dizzy. Just how heavy of a smoker was he? I couldn't stand the smell of smoke. When I was little, my dad would only smoke in the bathroom when the craving hit him. But in the ten years I was with Ethan, not once did I taste even a hint of nicotine bitterness, not even when we kissed. He truly had incredible endurance. He must have suffered a lot over these ten years. The pain in my wrist quickly made me discard my inner self-mockery. Ethan's voice dropped near my ear: "Why are you here?" I looked up into his eyes, which seemed to be desperately suppressing some intense emotion. But right now, besides awkwardness, I only felt confused. "Our marriage is over. I don't need to report my schedule to you." I didn't want to show my vulnerability to Ethan and Chloe. My grip on my handbag tightened, my nails digging into my palms. "Are you pregnant?" Ethan took a step closer, suddenly closing the distance between us. Hot breath laced with nicotine washed over me. Chloe, standing nearby, widened her eyes and bit her lip resentfully. I let out a silent laugh and looked down, prying Ethan's fingers off one by one. "Mr. Vance is overthinking things. Your protection was always very thorough." A few years ago, I did want a child. But every time I brought it up with Ethan, he would always say his company was just starting out, and if we had a baby too early, he was afraid he wouldn't have time to spend with them. I thought about how my dad frequently missed my school events because of work, and felt Ethan made a valid point. After a few times, I let it go. So, I hadn't brought it up in years, only hoping his company would stabilize soon. If he had a child with me, he would be tied to that child for the rest of his life. And that child would be a permanent barrier between him and Chloe. Those excuses were just meant to stall me. He had been with Chloe for two months, and she was already pregnant. It clearly showed it wasn't about fearing a lack of a father's presence, but about not wanting a child with me. As soon as I finished speaking, a crack appeared in Ethan's expression. "Sophia, don't lie to me," he said through gritted teeth. "I have no reason to lie to you." The strong smell of nicotine made me frown slightly, and I took two steps back to widen the gap between us. Chloe watched Ethan, her face gradually darkening. "Then why are you at the obstetrics department?" he asked again, pointing at the large sign above the department door. Only then did I notice he was still wearing the watch I had given him. It was my birthday gift to him the year we got married. But I had clearly packed this watch into the box, the very box Ethan had thrown into the trash that morning. So I leaned toward another possibility: I must have seen wrong. "One of the victims is here. I came to visit. Is Mr. Vance satisfied with that answer?" I didn't understand why Ethan kept pressing me, insisting I tear open my scars for him to see. But I knew that if I didn't explain clearly today, I might not be able to leave. Neither Ethan nor Chloe would allow for the possibility of my pregnancy. I forced back the welling tears and made myself flash a strained smile. This time, they didn't stop me from leaving. 03 Three days later, after visiting some of the families harmed by my father, I returned to the hospital for a follow-up. "Your condition is in the intermediate stage right now. As long as you receive active treatment, the chances of a cure are very high." The doctor was a man around my age named Liam. For some reason, his name sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it. My stomach started cramping again. As I stood up, my feet felt like they were stepping on cotton—powerless. I felt a bit dizzy, and by the time I came to, he was holding my arm, steadying me. "You look terrible," Liam said. "I recommend you get admitted as soon as possible." "Give me a little more time. I still have some things to do." I wanted to finish visiting all the victims' families, hoping to make amends for my dad, and I wanted to wait until his sentencing was announced before I was admitted. "Sophia, don't be stubborn. While there is life, there is hope." This was the first time Liam had used my first name directly, and I was slightly taken aback. I met his serious gaze, then quickly lowered my head and looked away. "Give me a few more days. I want to wait for my dad's sentence." Those few short words drained all the strength from my body. After a long pause, Liam replied, "Okay." "I'm off the clock too. Where do you live? I'll give you a ride." Before I could speak, Liam offered. "It's fine..." I waved my hand weakly. "I can go back myself..." "With your current condition, how can you go home alone?" Liam sighed. "Ms. Miller, I don't want you joking around with your life." He spoke very seriously, like a teacher scolding a bad student. Helpless, I could only nod. Since coming to the hospital for check-ups, I had seen Liam a few times. We didn't have much to talk about, and the ride was silent. Until... He parked his car in the underground garage of my rented apartment. The moment I stepped out, headlights from the opposite car flashed directly at me, blinding me for a few seconds. When my vision cleared, I saw it was Ethan's car. He was suddenly right in front of us. With a loud thud, Liam was knocked to the ground, a glaring smear of blood on the corner of his mouth. My mind was in chaos. I had no idea why Ethan suddenly appeared here, nor why he hit Liam. I quickly shoved Ethan away and helped Liam up. "What are you doing?" Ethan's eyes looked murderous, a dark, hostile aura filling his pupils. "What are you doing?" he pointed at Liam. This time, I saw the watch on his wrist clearly. The strap was engraved with his initials, 'EV'. It was definitely the one I gave him. "Bringing another man home the very day of our divorce. Sophia, if you commit adultery, I think our divorce agreement should be void." Ethan's words carried a gritted-teeth intensity. Liam warily tried to shield me behind him. Seeing this, Ethan raised an eyebrow and reached out to grab me first. With a cold sneer, I raised my hand and slapped him. The crisp sound echoed through the underground garage, and Ethan's cheek quickly swelled. He slowly turned his head back, clearly caught off guard by my slap. "Ethan, have you lost your mind?!" My palm stung fiercely. The recoil kept my hand hovering in the air, trembling slightly. "That child in Chloe's belly is yours, isn't it? After all these years at the company, you know perfectly well what you two did behind my back! If we're really going to calculate who cheated first, you're the one who should be leaving with nothing!" My face felt like it was burning. I realized I was screaming, tears uncontrollably streaming down my face. I looked pathetic. And it was all in front of Liam, an outsider. To my surprise, Ethan actually laughed after hearing this. "What if I told you that Chloe and I have never been intimate, and when she went to the hospital for a check-up today, she told me the positive pregnancy test in the photo wasn't hers?" Ethan's gaze shifted to Liam, and he leaned in closer. "What about you?" Ethan's words were like a bombshell, completely overturning all my previous certainties and leaving me at a loss. I didn't understand why he was acting like this. One moment he agreed to the divorce, throwing away everything that held our memories, and the next, he appeared before me in a rage, questioning my relationship with Liam. "Are you alright, Mr. Vance?" Liam spoke before I could. He wiped the blood from his mouth with a tissue. "I think you've misunderstood. Ms. Miller and I are strictly doctor and patient. Given her current health, I didn't feel comfortable letting her drive home alone, so I offered to give her a ride. "I also hope Mr. Vance can manage his emotions and think before acting. Since you're already divorced, there's no need to harass her. If you're trying to reconcile, don't use such an aggressive approach." Liam finished and exchanged a glance with me. "Ms. Miller, remember to get admitted on time and take care of yourself. Goodbye." I nodded at him, full of guilt. "About today... I'm really sorry." He gave a small smile. "Don't blame yourself." Ethan seemed lost in Liam's words, unable to snap out of it for a long time. I couldn't be bothered to deal with him anymore and headed straight for the elevator entrance. Hurried footsteps sounded behind me: "Sophia, that report... is it real?" Ethan caught up with me and pulled the door shut just as I had opened it. I looked up, meeting his somewhat vacant eyes. "Does it have anything to do with you? Wasn't your goal to 'catch me in the act' so I'd leave with nothing?" Just like that morning, Ethan still refused to believe the report. But before it was disdain; now, it was denial. "Sophia, it's not like that..." He scratched the back of his head in frustration, then suddenly grabbed both my hands as if he remembered something. "The reason I came is because Andrew told me just now that he's selling all his shares. He also told me that the person who initially invested was actually you." He looked at me, his eyes full of remorse and helplessness. "Why?" he asked. "Because I loved you." When you like someone, it's just like that. You only want them to be happy, you don't want to see them defeated by difficulties, you don't want to see them sad or dejected. So back then, I took out all my savings and asked Andrew to put on an act for me. I knew Ethan's pride, so I never planned to tell him the truth. Even when I needed to sell the shares to pay off my dad's debts, I didn't let Andrew reveal the truth. I didn't expect Ethan to find out anyway. "I said loved, Mr. Vance. Don't misunderstand." I tried to pull my hands away, but his grip only tightened. "And now?" he asked, the anger surrounding him instantly turning into an obsession. "Now, I don't love you anymore." Since he never loved me, why should I keep loving him? Ethan's eyes flickered, as if stung by something, a faint shimmer in the corners of his eyes. "Why..." "You clearly loved me so much. Why divorce me just like that?" He grabbed my hands and pulled me into his arms, the strong smell of nicotine enveloping me. 04 "Ethan, don't you find yourself ridiculous?" Unable to bear it any longer, I kneed him hard. He groaned and bent over, but his hands still held on tight. "Sophia, can we start over?" He looked up, tear streaks faintly reflecting the light. "You had plenty of chances to say that. From the time my dad was arrested until you testified against him, for two whole months, you were all lovey-dovey with Chloe, yet you wouldn't even give me an explanation. Do you think we can start over?" "I only think of Chloe as a sister," he said, sounding weak and pale. "But she never saw you as a brother. Every single one of her Facebook posts is proof of that," I retorted. "I didn't know about those posts." "I don't care. Ethan, what's done is done. Let's just end it here and leave each other with a shred of dignity." "Sophia, for the past two months, I've been thinking... thinking about how to win you back... Signing the divorce papers was me acting out of spite. I never thought you could be so heartless..." Before he could finish, a phone rang, and my hands were finally released. Ethan pulled out his phone. The screen flashed "Chloe." One second he was giving a deeply emotional explanation, the next he didn't hesitate to answer Chloe's call. I really couldn't tell which of Ethan's words were true and which were lies. "Chloe, I'm dealing with something urgent right now..." "What?" "I'm coming right now. Don't do anything stupid!" Watching Ethan's brow furrow into a deep scowl as he swiftly stood up. So even deep affection has two faces. I sneered inwardly. Free from Ethan, I couldn't be bothered to engage with him anymore. I quickly scanned my face to open the door and got into the elevator. It wasn't until the "ding" sounded that my heart finally settled. But my phone vibrated restlessly. I picked it up to see a text from Ethan: "I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning. Wait for me." I let out a silent, cold laugh and blocked his number. That very night, I admitted myself into the hospital. Partly to hide from Ethan, and partly because Liam had discussed it with me and strongly advised early admission. If I needed to leave, he would approve it based on my condition. But the truly ridiculous part was that the person waiting for me the next day wasn't Ethan, but Chloe. I agreed to see Chloe because she said Ethan sent her to handle the transfer of the house's ownership with me. But the first thing she said to me was: "Sorry, I was feeling down last night, so Ethan came to keep me company." She was dressed to the nines, flawless from head to toe, her eyes brimming with smugness. But the dark circles under her eyes, barely concealed by foundation, couldn't lie. Perhaps those dark circles represent other unspeakable secrets? I mocked myself inwardly for overthinking. "It's fine. I should be thanking you for getting me out of a tight spot." My calm response made her smile falter. She dispensed with the pleasantries and got straight to the point: "Sophia, even if my pregnancy was a lie, the person Ethan cares about most will always be me. Don't think you can win his heart back by secretly getting pregnant!" With a smack, she threw a card at me. "There's five million in here. Get rid of the child in your belly. If your dad manages to make it out alive, this money will be enough for him to live out his old age." Unaware of how ridiculous she sounded, she looked at me with haughty arrogance. So, Ethan was telling the truth. Chloe wasn't pregnant. But from her words, it was clear Ethan tolerated her behavior. "As for the PIN—" Chloe's voice snapped me back to reality, a malicious smile forming on her lips. "It's 180907." "That's the day Ethan flew tens of thousands of miles just to save me." September 7, 2018, was the day Ethan changed his flight to end our honeymoon early. His excuse back then was a sudden emergency at the company that required his immediate attention. Maybe Ethan was such a good actor back then that I never felt insecure. Or maybe I trusted Chloe too much and never overthought it. I remember at my wedding, Chloe was my bridesmaid, and I personally handed my bouquet to her. "I hope you find your own happiness soon." I had said it sincerely. At the time, Chloe's eyes filled with tears, and as she took the bouquet, she broke down crying. I thought she was crying tears of joy for me, but looking back, seeing the man she loved forced to marry someone else must have been devastatingly sad. During the honeymoon, Chloe had been contacting Ethan intermittently. Ethan would always step away to take the calls. Because I trusted him completely, I didn't bother paying attention. The last time, Chloe's voice sounded incredibly panicked. One second later, my lips would have met his. But the moment the phone rang, he pulled away. The name "Chloe" flashed on the screen. Ethan almost subconsciously stepped back and answered it. Because the volume was a bit loud, I could faintly hear Chloe sobbing. Lost in the honeymoon bliss, I didn't suspect anything. My first thought was that there was a massive crisis at the company that Chloe couldn't handle. After all, she had been contacting him quite frequently during that time. Sure enough, half an hour later, Ethan looked at me guiltily: "I'm sorry, there's an emergency at the company. I changed my ticket. I'm leaving tonight." "I'll go back with you." "I promised to spend a whole month with you. Won't it be too rushed if you come back with me?" Ethan's face showed no signs of lying, his eyes full of apology as he reached out to stroke my hair. I naturally grabbed his hand. "A honeymoon is for two people. What's the point of me being here alone? Besides, if we go back separately, my dad will definitely think we had a fight. There's no need to worry him." Ethan offered a small smile and nodded. "Okay." Even though I also rebooked my flight, after landing, Ethan didn't go home with me. He very "thoughtfully" called two cars. One to take me home, and the other, supposedly, to take him to the office. Only now did I realize that his actual destination that day was Chloe's apartment. The memory playback in my mind ended. "I'm not pregnant, and I don't want your money..." "Sophia!" Chloe interrupted me, leaning on the table as she stood up. "Are you still lying? If you're not pregnant, why would Ethan pull strings to get his hands on your medical report?" Chloe's words hit me like a physical blow, sending a shock through my body. "What..." "Sophia, do you know what I hate the most? It's how you pretend not to know anything, when in reality, you're just as calculating as I am, aren't you?" Chloe's face darkened. "Hello, Mr. Vance. Is it true that you donated 3.6 million dollars to the Cancer Foundation?" "Yes, because my wife was recently diagnosed with cancer as well. I hope to use this opportunity to build some good karma for her, and I hope all patients can be like her—actively seek treatment and never give up." ... A familiar voice suddenly came from the restaurant's TV. Both Chloe and I turned to look. It was Ethan. He was smiling at the camera, and whether intentionally or not, he was twisting the wedding ring on his finger—the ring he should have taken off a long time ago.
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