Chapter 1

When Hendrick Sam got Xena Carter’s call, I had just come out of coronary bypass surgery. The doctor told me my health was in critical condition, and things might not turn out so well next time. He advised me to avoid any kind of stress.

Without even looking up, Hendrick turned and walked out of the room.

I lay in bed, quietly listening to the nurse’s instructions and her complaints about Hendrick. It felt like a knife was twisting in my heart.

I had chased after him for a year before we got married, and we had been married for two. I always knew Hendrick had someone he had loved for many years, his one true love.

Three years ago, Hendrick fell critically ill and was hospitalized. The hospital issued several critical condition notices and Xena had left the country. To prevent the Sam family from being left without an heir, his parents turned to me, the one who had been pursuing him relentlessly.

With his true love gone, his condition worsening, and his parents’ constant persuasion, Hendrick agreed to marry me that very day.

Fortunately, the day after our wedding, Hendrick’s surgery was a success. He gradually returned to a normal state.

Everyone believed I was Hendrick’s good luck charm. Even his parents said so, urging him to treat me better. But he stayed distant and indifferent.

I lay in bed from morning till night as the nurse changed my IV three times, but Hendrick still had not come back.

When the anesthesia wore off, the pain in my surgical wound was excruciating, like it was being torn apart.

“Can I get a pain pump, please? The wound really hurts.”

I had always been afraid of pain.

“Your body’s too weak right now, so a pain pump isn’t an option.

“I’ll get you some painkillers. If it gets unbearable, take one.”

Next to me, the husband of a young woman who just had a C-section, brought in some food and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

She complained that he always bought unnecessary things and said it would be better to save the money for their daughter.

But she accepted the flowers with a playful pout, unable to hide the smile at the corners of her mouth.

The man just grinned sheepishly. Once she took the bouquet, he gently said,

“No matter what, even with our daughter here, you’re still the one I love the most.

“I promised you, even after marriage, I’d make it feel like we’re still dating.”

They laughed and joked as they opened the container, filling the room with the delicious aroma of chicken noodle soup.

It wasn’t until I caught the scent that I realized I hadn’t eaten all day.

I turned on my phone, which had been off the entire time, only to see an empty screen. There wasn’t a single message from Hendrick.

I dialed the number I had memorized long ago. It rang for what felt like forever before someone finally answered.

“Hendrick, can you come and be with me? I’m in so much pain.”

I wanted to say, “Hendrick, it’s so cold in this hospital. The wound hurts so much. My body can’t handle the long-term pain anymore. Everyone else has their loved ones by their side. But I’m always alone. Hendrick, could you stay with me? Just this once.”

“If it hurts, call the doctor. I’m busy. Don’t call me unless it’s urgent.” His cold response cut off everything I wanted to say.

Just before he hung up, I heard a faint woman’s voice in the background.