All Chapters of Paying a Debt With My Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

That day, I accompanied my husband, Ethan Sadler, to his check-up and found out he would soon be able to see again. That was also the day my mother, Roxanne Miller, asked me to go home.With a frosty expression, she ordered, "Heidi, divorce Ethan so that Rosie can marry him."I said nothing, surprised at how she could actually say that.When I didn't agree, my father, Richard Talbot, pointed a finger at me. He growled, "Don't forget, Heidi Talbot, he was initially Rosie's fiancé. You don't deserve to be his wife. Don't even think of holding onto the marriage!"I stared at them and my younger sister, Rosalie Talbot, who was leaning in their arms, looking fragile.It felt so ridiculous to me.It was true that Ethan was engaged to Rosalie. However, my parents couldn't bear to see her marry a blind man when he accidentally lost his sight. That was why they called off the engagement.Unexpectedly, the Sadler family's business flourished while ours started going downhill. Two years ag

Chapter 2

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Only I knew Ethan never wanted me to have his child.The first day he decided to be intimate with me, he asked his private doctor to embed a contraceptive implant under my skin behind his parents' backs.I was allergic to the silicone capsule, so my left arm in which it was embedded was always slightly red and swollen. The itch was unbearable.However, Ethan only cared about satisfying his desires and paid no attention to my health.Afraid that his parents might find out, he forbade me from removing the implant. Therefore, I could only put up with it.Three months later, the itch disappeared, but my left arm was unusually swollen. Finally, I fell unconscious in the Sadler's residence.I heard the siren of the ambulance. I heard the doctor say that because of the severe allergic reaction, my body resisted the implant. As a result, there was a leak in the core where the hormone was stored.My body absorbed too much of the substance, so I would never get pregnant.I was glad that

Chapter 3

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

I had mere months left to live unless I removed half of my lungs. But with what remained of my lungs, how long could I live?Holding the diagnosis report, I hesitated whether or not I should tell my parents about it. However, they took the initiative to call me and tell me to go home.It was the first time they called to ask me to go home since my marriage. Overwhelmed with joy, I thought they finally missed me.Never would I have thought that the first thing they did was to tell me to get a divorce! They wanted me to let Rosalie have my husband!Staring at my family, I thought they seemed so unfamiliar.Mom and Dad once doted on me when I was younger. Since when had they started to change?I gazed at the sneer on Rosalie's face. Suddenly, I remember. My parents changed the moment they gave birth to her.Ever since that day, they only had eyes for Rosalie, and I was invisible to them. I was like a stranger living under the same roof as them.I always had to give in to Rosalie.

Chapter 4

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Ethan's tone was calm, as though I was merely a tool he owned for two years. Now that I was useless, he could trade me for something else.Smiling, I kept the check and keys. Then, I signed the divorce agreements. I kept my copy and returned his copy to him.My family knew only to force me to get a divorce without considering my situation. Unlike them, Ethan at least compensated me for it. Those two years of taking care of him weren't in vain.Ethan evidently didn't expect me to be so decisive. Dazed, he took the divorce agreement. I ignored him and started to pack my belongings. I didn't bring much with me when I married him. When I left, my luggage was just as minimal. I left behind the outfits, handbags, and accessories Ethan and the Sadler family gave me after our marriage.The only things I took with me were my personal belongings and the clothes I bought for myself. One suitcase could fit everything.It took me less than half an hour. When I left, Ethan was still sittin

Chapter 5

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Leo was my ex-boyfriend! Back then, we were planning to get married. In fact, he could have been considered my fiancé.If I hadn't needed to marry Ethan in Rosalie's place, my parents wouldn't have forced me to break up with Leo.I turned around and glanced their way. Full of smiles, Rosalie reached out to hold Leo's hand, but he avoided her. Nevertheless, that didn't bother Rosalie. She had her full attention on Leo.Memories swiftly resurfaced, and my chest tightened. Rosalie liked Leo!I remembered now. When I was close to finishing my studies, she insisted on attending the same university just to spite me.Leo and I were busy with our internships and were searching for jobs. We didn't have time to entertain her.But she was still my younger sister, and we would sometimes talk to each other. From there, Rosalie got to know Leo.After that, no matter where Leo and I were, be it on the field, at the library, or at the canteen, we would always bump into Rosalie. She would alway

Chapter 6

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Dad said, "No! We can't postpone the wedding. You must marry Ethan as soon as possible and give birth to his child to secure our family's position. Do you understand?"Rosalie, you can fool around as much as you like. I can't stop you. But you must marry Ethan! Don't tell anyone about Heidi's death. Let it be a secret only we know. Do you understand?"He sounded grave. Mom and Rosalie dared not defy him. Sulking, Rosalie returned to her room. I was forced to follow her.The three of them never uttered a single word of concern about me. That was how I knew I was nothing to them.Here I thought they would at least cry for me. It seemed I'd been thinking too highly of myself. If I hadn't died, I would've felt terrible. But I was a ghost now.As disappointment built up, one would become numb to it. I assumed I'd already grown numb a long time ago.I was just curious as to why I would be trapped here. Why was I still conscious?I watched as Rosalie punched her bed in frustration. She

Chapter 7

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Rosalie said, "I'm not your sister. It's been two years. No matter how nice I am to you, you aren't moved at all. But once I mention Heidi, you'll immediately come to me to know how she's doing."It's only through bringing her up that I can meet you. How could you be so cold to me?"Leo was unwavering. He said calmly, "I only have eyes for Heidi. I apologize if you're troubled because of me. I'll never ask you about Heidi anymore. Goodbye."When I heard him, bitterness filled my heart. I couldn't refrain from going closer to him and touching his face.As I watched my hand passing through his face, I suddenly remembered that I was a mere ghost now.I floated toward him and traced his facial features. It was good enough if I could just look at him a bit longer.Rosalie was clearly agitated after listening to him.With her arms extended, she stood in his way. Her eyes reddened, and she started saying whatever came to her mind. "Leo, Heidi's dead! She died! Just forget about her!"

Chapter 8

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

The couple who gave Leo the box behaved oddly too. They didn't leave after dropping off the box. Instead, they gave Leo time.When he regained his composure, they told him something that not only shocked him but me too.The middle-aged man was the one who spoke. He seemed like a kind man."Nice to meet you, Mr. Chandler. I'm Heidi's birth father. My name is Desmond Sullivan. You can call me Desmond. This is Heidi's birth mother, Miranda Lloyd. You can call her Miranda."We feel regretful. We were too late and couldn't even meet Heidi in person. We… We…"As he spoke, he and his wife, who claimed to be my birth parents, started choking up. Then, they told Leo the whole story in a sporadic manner.More than 20 years ago, Miranda took me back to her hometown after giving birth to me.On the way there, there was an accident, and she fell unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she couldn't find me anywhere.Meanwhile, I somehow ended up at the orphanage.Richard and Roxanne v

Chapter 9

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

Richard snapped, "That's nonsense, Rosalie. You've just married Ethan, so you'd better stay there obediently. We've finally collaborated with the Sadler family on a new project, and it's a crucial time. You'd better not cause any trouble!"Rosalie was about to say something, but he'd already ended the call. All she could hear was the dial tone.Dazed, she stood rooted to the spot. She seemed lost.While she was still in a daze, the housekeeper was already outside the room, urging her to go down for breakfast. So, she could only freshen up and go to the dining hall.The Sadlers were already at the table, waiting for her. However, she could sense that William and Brianna were looking at her differently.Evidently, Ethan had already told his parents about how she'd lost her virginity. William and Brianna were clearly displeased with her.She kept silent. With her head hung low, she ate her breakfast while trying to make herself less noticeable.After breakfast, Brianna called her o

Chapter 10

Paying a Debt With My Life/Colorful Desert

When Leo saw Rosalie leave, he also left the Talbot residence.Bound to him, I arrived at my grave.He helped me clear the weeds around my grave and gently caressed my photo.In a lowered tone, he said, "Heidi, everyone who's hurt you will get what they deserve. The Talbots have received their punishment, and the Sadlers will be next!"Initially, I didn't understand him.Several days later, Ethan accidentally wounded Rosalie badly. The paparazzi exposed him, the heir of the Sadler Group, for suffering from manic disorder and abusing his wife. Almost immediately, the news was all over the Internet.Then, the police intervened and investigated the Sadlers. The once powerful family started crumbling right after the Talbot family had.After floating around Leo for several days, I came to understand that he and my birth parents were the ones who took the Talbot family and the Sadler family down.Ever since they learned about what happened to me when I was still married, they secretl