Chapter 1

On our seventh secret wedding anniversary, superstar James gave the script I'd spent three years perfecting to my sister Violet.

He then had me star in a trashy flick where I had to do yoga on a great white shark's back wearing only lacy lingerie.

There wasn't enough sedative for the sharks. In an instant, I was surrounded and mauled by three full-grown great whites.

James went berserk, diving into the tank to save me. His hand got bit in the process.

Drenched in blood, I was rushed to the ER, clinging to life.

As she bandaged James' wound, my mom - the only family I had left - sobbed uncontrollably:

"Did we go too far, destroying Melody's legs just so Violet could win an award? If Melody doesn't make it, I can't go on living either."

James clasped my hand tightly, consoling Mom: "We'll have plenty of chances to make it up to Melody. Violet only has a month to live."

"The only way to guarantee Violet wins the Oscar and fulfills her dying wish was to take out Melody as the frontrunner."

"Don't worry, Mom. Even if Melody loses her legs, I'll devote my life to her. She'll forgive us eventually."Even though I've grown numb, my heart is still filled with a dull, throbbing ache.

I wish I knew how they could make amends to me, but I'll never have that chance.

Because the sick one isn't her—it's me.

Every day they fuss over Violet, I silently count down the days until my death.

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1

When I wake up, James grabs my hand, overcome with emotion.

Mom stands nearby, her eyes red as she wipes away tears.

I try to turn, but I can't move.

As I struggle, the blanket covering me slips off.

Violet looks at me and lets out a piercing scream, then faints onto the couch.

James and Mom rush over to hold her, panicked.

That's when I see it—my legs have been amputated from the thighs down, leaving only two empty pant legs tied in knots.

In the TV's reflection, I catch a glimpse of a scar like a centipede crawling across half my skull.

After Violet faints, Mom's expression changes in an instant.

She turns to me, angry and exasperated, pointing as she scolds me.

"Why did you have to pull off the blanket?"

"My poor Vi was already traumatized seeing you all bloody when you were admitted. Now your mangled legs have made her faint again. What were you thinking?"

I lower my head like a child who's done something wrong, tears welling up in my eyes.James gently patted my shoulder, preparing to get up and carry Violet to see the doctor.

In seven years of marriage, I had never asked him for anything.

But now, every time I closed my eyes, I saw a shark coming at me with its bloody jaws wide open.

I clutched his hand tightly, my voice trembling:

"James, can you stay with me? I'm so scared."

James patted my hand.

"Be good, Melody. We'll have plenty of time together later."

"But Violet is different. She only has a month left. We need to take good care of her. If we miss this chance, it's gone forever."

Then he forcefully pried my fingers open one by one, picked up Violet, and rushed off to find a doctor.

I couldn't help but cry out loud.

Violet was his good friend.

She had fainted from shock and needed someone by her side.

While I was just his wife of seven years, through thick and thin.

And I was just in the late stages of pancreatic cancer, with two legs bitten off, having just escaped death's door - apparently not needing anyone by my side.

I used to think that if I was obedient, understanding, and hardworking, someone would love me.

But I never imagined that no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't matter.

Just like before.

Seven years ago, I was blacklisted for refusing to submit to a director's casting couch demands.The stress drove me to shave my head bald, as I prepared to marry my fiancé, a fellow struggling actor.

On our wedding day, my fiancé eloped abroad with my sister Violet.

Everyone mocked me, calling me a tomboy and saying even if I threw myself at a man, no one would want me.