Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed.

Vivienne sat beside me, her expression complex as she looked at me.

"Dane, you're finally awake. I was wrong today. I was too hasty at the time. Please don't take it to heart."

The back of my head was still throbbing with pain. I looked at her coldly, unsure what game Vivienne was trying to play now.

"The doctor said you'll be fine after a few days of rest. I've taken time off work to stay with you, okay?"

As she spoke, Vivienne brought over a nutritious meal, intending to feed me.

Seeing this, I turned my head away immediately.

"Vivienne, what's the point of doing this? You're the one who cheated, you're the one who wanted a divorce, and now you're here trying to win me over?!"

"I don't need you to stay with me. Go find Draven, after all, he's your true love."

In the past, whenever we argued, I was always the one to swallow my pride and make amends first.

Now, as Vivienne made the first gesture of reconciliation only to be ignored by me, her expression turned sour.

Vivienne slammed the meal box down, her voice choked with tears as she questioned me,

"Am I not allowed to make mistakes? Besides, we didn't even do anything. Why are you so distrustful of me?" "Dad called today saying he's been hospitalized again. He specifically asked for you to take care of him. Even if you don't want to talk to me, you should make time to keep him company!"

My expression darkened. So this was Vivienne's scheme.

The cost for cancer care attendants is exorbitant. If they replaced them with me, they could save a hefty sum.

A few years ago, I was forced to put everything aside to serve her father.

I spent money and effort, all while enduring a filthy, foul-smelling environment.

But all I got in return was their increasingly unreasonable demands and lack of gratitude.

Now that we're on the brink of divorce, Vivienne still thinks she can order me around to be their fall guy.

"I won't go, Vivienne. Let's get divorced."

I said bluntly,

"Your dad's hospitalization has nothing to do with me. I'll prepare the divorce papers soon. Remember to sign them when the time comes."

Hearing this, Vivienne lost all patience.

She stood up, looking down at me condescendingly,

"How could you possibly bear to divorce me, Dane? I understand you're just still upset with me."

"Back then, you barged in and started hitting. I only reluctantly fought back because I was afraid Draven would hold a grudge against you afterwards. Can't you use your brain and think about it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hospital room instantly became so tense you could hear a pin drop. I closed my eyes, too tired to argue with her anymore.

At the time, Vivienne had struck with deadly force, causing me to lose consciousness immediately.

If it wasn't to vent her anger for her beloved Draven, why would she have been so determined?

Now she turns around and tells me it was to protect me. How utterly ridiculous.

"Dane, we've been together for almost nine years. You're not just a lover to me, but family."

"It was because our marriage lacked passion that I impulsively went out looking for excitement. I promise it won't happen again."

"Can't you forgive me just this once?"

Vivienne held my hand, looking at me earnestly.

The deep affection and tenderness in her eyes didn't seem fake.

"Dane, the gift I bought for you is almost here. I'll go get it for you now. I'm sure you'll love it."

I didn't say anything, just feeling incredibly weary.

Five minutes later, Vivienne came back.

She placed a pair of matching diamond rings in front of my eyes.

"I know you've always wanted this, so I secretly ordered them to surprise you."

"Dane, I hope you can be happy every day and stay by my side forever."

For a moment, my heart wavered slightly.

Could it be true, as she said, that we just lacked some passion between us? Nine years of love, I don't want to give up so easily.

Seeing my expression soften a bit, Vivienne curled her lips and held my hand to her cheek.

"Honey, you just focus on getting better. Once you're out of the hospital, we'll go take care of our dad together."

"Don't worry, I know it's too tiring for you to look after him alone. We'll take turns."

I hummed and nodded, "Remember, don't contact Draven anymore."

When Vivienne heard this, her face remained unchanged, "Don't you trust me? I've already sworn, honey. Get some rest now."

For the next few days, Vivienne indeed stayed by my side constantly.

She even let me check her phone freely, gradually easing my lingering doubts.

Until this night, when I didn't drink the warm milk she prepared for me.

I was unexpectedly woken up by the sound of her phone call.

Vivienne had her back to me, flirting with Draven by the window.

"What's the rush? That idiot Dane is about to be discharged. We'll be able to meet soon."

"Only his bone marrow is compatible with my dad's. These days I'm just buttering him up. It'll be much easier to ask when the time comes." "Even if he doesn't agree, it doesn't matter. The sleeping pills you gave me work great. I've been feeding them to him for five days, and he sleeps like a pig. Worst case scenario, we'll just do it without his consent and transplant his bone marrow directly."

Draven chuckled softly on the other end.

"If it weren't for the fact that he still has some use, why would I have you staying by his side, putting up with all this?"

"Vivienne, I've been going crazy missing you. Why don't you come downstairs to see me? I've booked a hotel nearby."

Vivienne put on a show of refusing a few times, then quickly got ready and left.

Tears of heartbreak and humiliation instantly flooded my eyes. The pain in my chest was so intense I barely dared to breathe.

These past few days, she'd been actively bringing me warm milk, claiming it was to help me sleep. Turns out it was just to test the drugs.

I pulled out my phone and immediately booked a flight out of the country.

Then I sent a message to my good friend Gevano, who's a lawyer, asking him to draft up divorce papers for me.