Chemo #99: My Wife Never Showed Up

When my wife, Rebecca Walsh, misses my chemotherapy session for the 99th time, I come across a post on social media.

"I won my lover's heart with a kidney. She will surely love me to death, right?"

The attached photo shows a couple kissing on a street in Targon. The woman has a small heart-shaped scar on her neck.

What a coincidence—it is exactly the same as Rebecca's. The woman who nearly dies for me falls in love with someone else so easily.

The comments below are full of encouragement from strangers.

"Man, you're so brave. Wishing you everlasting love."

"If I were the woman, I would love you to death."

I leave a comment too. "I hope you are together until you are in the depths of hell, you cheating pair. As for me, the husband, I will step aside to make way for you."

One minute later, the post disappears.

It doesn't matter. I post on my own account.

I write, "After I spent three years battling cancer, my wife fell in love with the man who's supposed to be the kidney donor."

The attached images are our marriage certificate and the same photo of them kissing from earlier.

Winston's POV

Once I was done with everything, I dialed my wife's phone number.

"What is it?" Rebecca Walsh's impatient voice came through the receiver.

Yet my mind suddenly drifted back to the day I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, when Rebecca had completely broken down. She held me and wept, saying she would give anything to restore my health.

To find me a matching kidney donor, she even offered 30% of the company's shares as compensation to whoever could help. However, once the donor was found, Rebecca had a change of heart.

I smiled bitterly. "When are we scheduling the surgery?"

Rebecca's voice sharpened. "Winston, are you really that desperate to take Theo's kidney?"

Her accusation stunned me.

Back then, Theo Bardot had volunteered to donate. But now he had even stolen my wife. Shouldn't I at least be given a chance to survive?

"Rebecca, I'm really scared. Could you ask Winston to give me a little more time to prepare?"

Theo's voice came through in the background, pitiful and wheedling, and Rebecca's tone immediately turned cold. "Winston, stop pressuring him. I'll arrange the surgery once he's ready!"

My heart ached.

Three years ago, when Theo approached me offering to donate his kidney, I thought I was saved. But he was terrified of pain, needles, and not weighing enough for surgery. The list of his fears kept growing.

I suddenly realized I didn't want his kidney anymore. I hung up the phone and turned it off.

That very night, Rebecca stormed into the hospital with Theo in tow, both of them fuming. "Winston Shaw! Who gave you permission to restart the kidney matching process? You don't have time to keep waiting!"

I said nothing. Instead, my eyes caught the vivid marks on her neck. They practically burned into my vision. My chest tightened with bitterness.

Just as I was about to speak, Rebecca continued, "I've already transferred that 30% stake to Theo. Don't even think about taking it back!"

A bitter laugh escaped me. So she wasn't worried that I couldn't wait for a new kidney. She was protecting Theo's interests.

How absurd.

I looked at Theo, wanting to ask how much longer he expected me to wait. Then my eyes caught the pendant around his neck, the one worth ten million dollars.

Rebecca had given it to me as a wedding gift. It was the only one of its kind in the world.

I reached out to get a closer look. Before I even touched him, Theo cried out and stumbled backward.

"Winston, I already said I'd donate once I'm ready. Why do you still hate me so much?"

Theo looked at me with wounded eyes. Rebecca's face darkened immediately.

She pulled him close and glared at me. "Apologize!"

Instead, I let out a cold laugh and pointed at the pendant. "That's mine."

Then I looked at Rebecca. "You're both disgusting. Take your lover and get lost!"

Rebecca's face flushed with rage. She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

"Winston Shaw! With that attitude, you deserve everything you're going through!"

I stumbled and fell to the floor, staring up at her in disbelief. Deserved it? Rebecca must have forgotten that I developed kidney cancer largely because of all the drinking I did to help her company secure contracts.

"Think about what you've done. When you've come to your senses, come apologize to Theo!"

With that, Rebecca left with Theo at her side. As she walked away, all hope drained out of me.

I sat on the floor in a daze until my attending physician, Dr. Wes Glenwood, walked in.

He helped me up and sighed. "Rebecca has truly lost her mind. You're her husband, yet she attacked you for his sake. This will destroy whatever's left between you two."

I shook my head with a bitter smile. The moment Rebecca had her affair, there was nothing left between us anymore.

I looked at Dr. Glenwood. "If I don't do the transplant surgery, how much longer do I have?"

Dr. Glenwood pressed his lips together, his expression grim. "About a month."

That was enough.

A flash of determination crossed my face. "I'm not getting treatment anymore. I'm getting discharged today."