The moment he took my hand, he cried with joy. He swore he would love me with his life, never make me angry, and keep me happy forever.
He kept his promise.
For three years of marriage, Quint always cherished our relationship, never using a single forgiveness card.
I thought we would be this happy until we grew old.
But I forgot that true feelings can change.
Until three months ago, when I received a video call from Quint, who was on a business trip.
However, the moment I answered, the person who appeared wasn't Quint, but his secretary, Melody.
She was wearing a sexy spaghetti strap nightgown, her tone arrogant,
"Sis, sorry about that, Mr. Stratton's in the shower!"
Behind Melody was the semi-transparent bathroom glass, where Quint could be vaguely seen showering.
She first showed a smug expression, then her eyes filled with jealousy and hatred as she gritted her teeth at me.
"Evelina, do you think Quint really loves you? He's just pitying you because you're sick!"
"You sick freak, he says he can't play wild with you, it's boring as hell. He's gonna make me see stars in a bit."
A chill ran down my spine, my chest felt like it was crushed by a boulder, leaving me gasping for air.
How could Quint betray me!But the next second, the video suddenly shook a few times and went black, though the call wasn't disconnected.
"Melody, who are you talking to?"
"Baby, let me taste what flavor you are today..."
Quint's voice came through the phone, so familiar yet so strange.
At that moment, my heart could no longer cling to false hope.
And for the first time, I learned how intensely the heart could ache.
From then on, the little secretary would send me videos of them every day or two to show off,
My illness worsened under Melody's provocation.
Quint, always making excuses to go on business trips to avoid upsetting me, repeatedly used his forgiveness cards.
To this day, he's used 97 of them.
Returning home, I dialed my mentor's number,
"Professor Wilson, I've decided to join the artificial heart cultivation research."
"Are you sure? This is a top-secret project. Once you join, you might never be able to return to your home country."
I opened the box containing the forgiveness cards, placed the signed divorce papers inside, and lowered my gaze.
"I'm sure. I don't need to go back to my home country anymore.""
A hospital room as quiet as a tomb. The doctor's words break the silence:
"Good, our cultivated heart is now as stable as a real human heart. The heart customized for you is ready. I'll have Sister Haisley come pick you up in two days."
I glance at the three remaining forgiveness cards and chuckle bitterly to myself, "Two days should be enough to use them all up."
Just as I set down my phone, Quint bursts through the door in a panic.
"Evelina, I couldn't find you anywhere! I thought you might have left?"
Quint, realizing his tone is frantic, immediately softens it. He speaks to me as if soothing a child:
"There, there. Don't run off like that again. I searched the entire hospital, and your phone wasn't working. I was going out of my mind with worry."
"Why were you so worried?" If you were really concerned, you wouldn't have been canoodling with your little secretary during my check-up.
"I was afraid you were mad at me again. The doctor stressed over and over that we absolutely can't let you get upset anymore. If you get angry again, it could be life-threatening."
As he speaks, he sits beside me and gently pats my back, his voice soothing:
"That movie you mentioned wanting to see last time? I've checked it out, and it's fine. How about we go watch it together in a bit?"
"