Chapter 2

"The patient requires constant monitoring and should be in a tranquil setting. She recently experienced a miscarriage and suffered significant blood loss due to her injuries. Please ensure she receives excellent care."

I felt my heart sink as I overheard the physician speaking to my sibling while I gradually regained consciousness. "Did I... did I lose the baby?"

I struggled to breathe as my brother rushed to comfort me. "You've... you've come around."

Bursting into tears, I embraced him tightly.

The doctor looked at us with compassion. "Try to keep your emotions in check. It could affect your recovery otherwise."

"Hush now, don't cry, my dear sister."

"Brother..." I whimpered, clinging to him more firmly.

I hadn't even been aware of my pregnancy, but now the child was gone. It no longer existed in this world.

My hands instinctively moved to my abdomen as I tried to suppress my tears.

"Try to calm down, sister. Don't harm yourself further... Do you realize how close you came to dying?"

I chuckled bitterly at his words. Yes, I had nearly died. But my spouse, Ash, hadn't shown the slightest concern about that. Instead, he had accused me of lying.

"I wish I had arrived sooner..."

I shook my head. "This isn't your fault, brother. You came as quickly as you could."

My chest ached. What if I hadn't pressed the emergency button that alerted him while I called Ash? It should have notified Ash too, but why didn't he appear? Did he think I was joking, that I was trying to manipulate him?

"Then, perish. Don't worry, I won't attend your funeral." Those words still echoed in my mind. Perhaps he truly wished for my demise.

I inhaled deeply, then turned to my brother. "Brother..."

He tilted his head, waiting for me to continue, but I shook my head.

"It's nothing. I'd like to take a solitary walk."

He regarded me with worry for a moment but eventually agreed.

As I wandered aimlessly down the hallway, I heard cheerful laughter.

"Look at that couple, the husband is so attentive. I wish I had a husband like that. He hasn't left his wife's side since she gave birth!"

My eyes instinctively sought out the 'couple' in question.

But when I saw the scene, my lips quivered and my heart plummeted. Inside was Ash, with Kate.

Ash was tenderly feeding Kate while she played with her son. It would have been a touching scene if others didn't know that the man inside was my husband.

I clenched my teeth and pushed the door open slightly. I was about to enter when I heard Kate say.

"Ash, could you help me with something? I'm not sure who else to ask."

"I'm always here for you, Kate. Just tell me what you need."

"I want a divorce, Ash. I... I made a mistake in my choice of partner. Our relationship has been strained, and I don't want my son to suffer because of it."

"You're getting divorced?!" Ash asked, sounding almost elated at the news.

I gasped, quickly closing the door. I lacked the courage to confront them. Not at this moment, at least.

He could finally pursue Kate again. His unrequited love would finally blossom. But what about me? Our marriage?

I wiped the tears from my face. It didn't matter anymore. To him, his family had always been Kate, not me. There was no place for me, or our unborn child.

If his parents hadn't pressured him to marry, and if Kate hadn't chosen someone else, he would never have proposed to me.

Now, Kate was divorcing. It was time for this substitute to depart.

Before returning to my room, I splashed water on my face. I didn't want to worry my brother.

He had tried to dissuade me from marrying Ash. Though he was Ash's best friend, he opposed my marriage because he knew Kate held Ash's heart. Back then, I was foolish enough to believe I could carve out a place in his heart, that he would grow to love me.

It was time to let him go. Now that Kate was divorcing, I would wish them well together. In this life, I hope never to cross paths with them again.

After composing myself, I entered my room, summoning my courage. I had to tell him.

"Brother..."