Chapter 3

As his partner, I felt I needed to be more patient and accommodating. The more remorseful I became, the harder I strived to support him.

However, everything fell apart on the day we celebrated our first year of marriage.

An unknown person sent me a friend request, and from that moment, the truth began to surface, revealing how blind and gullible I had been.

Melissa shared a video with me, a cruel display of her triumph.

In the footage, Reese appeared as a kind, affectionate version of himself I had never witnessed, his gaze filled with fondness I thought was meant only for me.

It became clear that his claims of being "occupied" were merely excuses. He would abandon everything at a moment's notice to be with his childhood love, no matter the distance.

Their lifelong connection was something I, a newcomer in his world, could never rival.

All I could do was weep quietly, my heart broken, too frightened to challenge him with the truth.

In my past, when Melissa died, Reese remained by my side constantly. At that time, I believed he had finally turned his focus back to our family, recognizing my value.

He even created a beautiful nursery for our child, pouring his affection into every aspect.

Each meal was meticulously planned, every dish prepared by him personally—his devotion seemed overwhelming, blinding me to reality.

But on the day I delivered our baby, the truth finally shattered the illusion.

He had constructed a prison of devotion, lifting me up on wings of adoration, only to let me plummet, his ultimate act of retribution for the woman he truly cherished.

Witnessing my downfall was his sweetest revenge.

"What a tragedy, such a young life lost. Her spouse is a physician, too; how could he have missed the signs? What will become of her now..."

"Hush, say no more."

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a shared hospital room, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

A family member from the adjacent bed approached, her eyes filled with sympathy.

"You're finally conscious. How are you feeling? Should I contact your husband? Honestly, how could he be so preoccupied? You were in such a critical condition, yet he wasn't here with you."

I couldn't help but glance at my now-flat stomach, the emptiness overwhelming. Tears flowed as if they had been waiting for this moment.

"The infant couldn't be saved. If only..."

My voice faltered, and I trembled slightly. "Perhaps it's for the best. At least the child won't have to endure because of me."

The woman sensed my anguish and stuttered, attempting to offer solace.

"Right now, you need to prioritize your own well-being. Try not to dwell on it too much."

Many had pointed out to him that something was amiss with me, but he remained convinced it was just another of my ploys.

Crucial time, time that could have saved us both, had been lost.

Observing my expression, the woman's face flushed with indignation.

"Doctors these days, aren't they supposed to be guardian angels? But all I see are butchers!"

"If I hadn't made a fuss and pleaded with them to check on you, you might not have survived. It would have been a double tragedy."

"And your husband, how could he stand idle and let you perish, even if couples disagree? He's a medical professional, for goodness' sake!"

"I've seen numerous videos of the incident online. Public sentiment is in an uproar."

Her voice grew more impassioned with each word, and I could almost envision her rushing to the nurses' station to voice her outrage.

I suppressed the turmoil rising in my chest and, with a heart heavy as lead, murmured, "He doesn't care for me. To him, my death would be a relief."

My words seemed to shock her, and her expression faltered.

She hesitated, then attempted to offer what comfort she could, urging me to end the marriage once I left the hospital and even promising to assist me in the coming days.

I smiled weakly and politely declined.

I picked up my phone silently, my heart sinking as I browsed the news.

The strained relationships between healthcare providers and patients have always made headlines, but today, the situation has reached a new low.

As medical professionals, saving lives was their sworn duty. Yet, they had stood by, allowing a patient to slip away.

The vivid crimson stains on the floor were a stark reminder of the horror.

Someone had uploaded the entire video to the comment section.

The outrage was immediate and relentless.

People demanded explanations. How could a doctor fail to recognize the danger a pregnant woman in distress faced? Where was their professional integrity?