After Five Years My Husband Chose His Secretary

I spent the money to move into a private room in the hospital and hired a caregiver, Magdalena, at a high cost. Magdalena was diligent and attentive; once she learned about my condition, she started caring for me like I was her own daughter.

"Ada, you've been sneaking chocolate again!" Magdalena gently scolded, taking the half-eaten bar from my hand.

I put on an innocent pout, looking down. "The medicine is so bitter, I needed something sweet."

Tears gleamed in Magdalena's eyes as she got choked up. "But it's not good for you right now. I'll get you some candy instead."

Before I could stop her, she was already briskly walking out of the room. She returned shortly with a bag of milk caramels, unwrapped one, and offered it to my lips.

"Try this, it's sweet. I asked the nurse, and she said you could have a small amount."

The candy slowly melted in my mouth, its sweetness spreading not just across my taste buds but deep inside my heart. It felt wonderful knowing there was still someone in this world who cared about me.

Day after day, it was all about taking medicine and getting shots. Sadly, fate wasn't on my side; my condition worsened rapidly. More than once, I caught Magdalena discreetly consulting doctors and nurses, only to retreat to a corner to wipe away her tears.

I told Magdalena that besides the medical bills, I still had a good amount of money left. If the day came when I had to leave, I wanted her to handle my affairs simply—cremate me and bury me with my parents. The remaining money could be her retirement fund.

Magdalena immediately covered my mouth. "Nonsense! Don't say such things."

"You'll be fine and live for many more years."

I just smiled, not saying anything in response. But Magdalena was persistent, insisting that I say a little prayer to ward off bad luck, as if that could really make the heavens retract my words.

The days dragged on, and the illness tormented me relentlessly. Magdalena worked even harder, and I joked that she was only doing it so she could inherit my estate.

Blushing with frustration, Magdalena gave my ear a gentle tug. "I'm doing it so you'll get better quickly."

After saying that, her defiance faded, and her eyes welled up with tears. I raised my hands in surrender, admitting my fault.

The nurse quietly told me that Magdalena had found out how I tossed and turned in pain every night and had requested a cot to stay by my side. My eyes misted over as I rubbed them, my nose tingling with emotion.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" Jaiden's voice demanded over the phone.

At the time, I was receiving an IV, the icy fluid seeping through the needle, making me shiver with discomfort.

"We're done, Jaiden. You're a stranger to me now."

"I don't talk to strangers, nor do I answer their calls. Is there a problem?"

I suppressed the urge to retch and hung up. Still not satisfied, I proceeded to block every possible contact with Jaiden.

The world went blissfully silent.

True to his spoiled nature, Jaiden called every friend and colleague of mine to reach me. In no time, my phone was flooded with calls and messages asking about my whereabouts, ringing incessantly all day long.

Magdalena looked at me with concern and asked what was going on.

I could only sigh helplessly, "Just a stubborn kid who refuses to grow up."

Admitting defeat, I called Jaiden back.

"Just tell me, what's your deal? All this chasing—isn't your little Emery upset?"

Jaiden's voice was surprisingly gentle. "Ada, come back to work."

"Though we're divorced, you're still the Vice President of Armstrong Co…"

I naively fantasized that maybe, just maybe, Jaiden missed me. Perhaps he wasn't used to my sudden absence or perhaps there was a tiny regret for the decisions made in the past. But in reality, he simply wanted me back to continue being his workhorse.