The Woman I Helped Stole My Life

I still remember the way he smiled when he handed me the gift box, the joy in his eyes.

"Corinne, I will give you even better things in the future."

His sincerity was so overwhelming that I fell in love with him all over again.

On our wedding night, he held me close, his voice sincere and raw: "If I can't conquer you, I will die." "Corinne, I'm so glad you've taken control of my life. Because I love you."

But that night, I woke up in the middle of a dream.

The wind outside had blown the window open, and the curtains swayed wildly.

"Jude?"

Only silence answered me—an empty, echoing void.

I hated that feeling of loneliness.

In the past, Jude would hold me tight at moments like this, whispering that it was the feeling of home.

I had grown up with parents who had been separated since I was young. The love I received was nothing more than a monthly allowance and obligatory greetings. It was Jude’s presence that had filled my life with light.

He once told me I didn’t have to be so independent, that he could be my support.

Ten years have passed. A lot had changed.

The cold wind had blown too long, and now, dizziness and fever gripped me.

I prepared breakfast for my daughter, who had just had tonsil surgery and could only eat light foods.

But she cried, lying on the floor, demanding fried meatballs from Adele.

I let her cry.

Then, I sent a message to Jude—no matter where he was, I couldn’t ignore my daughter.

He didn’t reply.

So, I took my daughter to the nursery.

After I had settled everything, I was caught off guard when the first patient to walk into my office was none other than Adele.

And Jude was right behind her.

The other colleagues in the office, unaware of the situation, began to tease him.

"Professor Langston is here to see Dr. Corinne? That's enviable."

"Breakfast for Dr. Corinne too? This display of affection in the hospital? I can’t stand it!"

But they didn’t know the truth.

Jude wasn’t there for me. He came with Adele.

He smiled but didn’t say a word, creating space between me and her. He didn’t want to explain anything.

Adele pulled the suit jacket from Jude’s shoulders and draped it over herself.

When she looked at me, her gaze was full of provocation.

"Dr. Langston, can you help me?"

"My boyfriend was too rough with me yesterday, and I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable now."

She knocked on the table when she saw that I remained calm.

"Dr. Langston, do you know why he’s like this with me and not with other women?"

"Does he love me so much that he’s this wild with me?"

She smirked, clearly enjoying every moment of this.

"I heard it was his wife’s birthday yesterday. He didn’t even go home. He said it wasn’t a big deal to celebrate a birthday in your thirties."

Adele kept speaking, her words cutting deeper with every sentence, all while observing my reaction.

But the truth was, my fever hadn’t subsided until this morning. I was weak, barely holding myself together.

I didn’t have the energy to respond to her meaningless words.

After finishing the prescription, I looked up and met her gaze with a calm, measured expression.

"Ms. Whitaker," I said coolly. "This is my professional time. Please leave personal matters out of this."

My voice was steady, but there was an undeniable edge to it.

"Otherwise, I’ll start thinking you’re just being childish."

I gestured toward the door. "Now, go get your medicine. Don’t waste the next patient’s time."

Adele’s smirk faltered, her face flushing with irritation.

She had come here expecting to see me unravel, to watch me break under her words. Instead, she was the one being dismissed.

Her lips curled in frustration.

"What kind of doctor are you, kicking me out like this?" she snapped, her voice rising.

"You really think I won’t file a complaint against you?"