To Save His First Love, He was Ruthless to Me

(Present)

Even though I was dead,the weight of my life lingered like a dull ache.Yesterday,I watched myself get my medical report—mid-stage liver cancer.The doctor’s words still rang in my ears:“With proper treatment,you can live up to ten more years.”

I remember how my former self stood in the hospital hallway,tears streaming silently down her face.I hovered above,watching,and wondered why fate never granted me mercy.Couldn’t I be allowed just one moment of peace?

(Flashback to the Past)

After receiving the news,I thought of only one person—Bill.He was a renowned businessman in A City,with connections to top doctors,not to mention his own private laboratory.Surely,he could help me get the best treatment.I clung to that thin hope and went straight to his company.

For five years,I had been married to Bill,but I had never set foot in his office.It wasn’t because I didn’t want to visit;it was because he didn’t want anyone to know about me.In his eyes,I wasn’t a wife to be shown off.Only a few close friends knew about our marriage.

When I reached the 33rd floor,the secretary stopped me and asked if I had an appointment.

Through the glass doors,I could see him inside,sitting with Annie,the woman he had always loved.They were sharing a meal,laughing like everything was perfect.

“I’m here to see Bill,”I said,trying to keep my voice steady.

The secretary went in to report my arrival.A few moments later,Bill stepped out,irritation clearly written on his face.He pulled me to the side,away from prying eyes.

“What are you doing here?”he demanded,his tone sharp.

I knew his patience was wearing thin,so I blurted out the reason I had come.“I’m sick,Bill.The doctor said I have—"

“Bill,why are you standing out here?I’m hungry,”Annie's voice interrupted us as she appeared beside him,gently linking her arm through his.

She turned to me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Oh,Sister,you’re here too?Have you eaten yet?Bill’s cola chicken wings are delicious.”

My nails dug into my palms,my heart aching.This morning,I had watched him spend hours in the kitchen,cooking that very meal—just for her.

“Go to the hospital if you’re sick,”Bill said coldly.“What can I do?I’m not a doctor.”

Before I could say anything more,he pushed me away.“High Assistant will send you home.”

(Present)

I floated there,staring at the memory of my past self being forcibly removed from his life.But now,in death,I saw the truth clearer than ever.No matter what I did,no matter how much I loved him,Bill would always belong to Annie.

Flashback to the Past:

The day after my diagnosis,he dragged me back to the hospital—not for treatment,but to draw more blood for Annie's transfusion.

I was in the hospital lobby,still nursing the pain from my liver,when I saw her latest social media post at 3 a.m.

"I can’t stop hurting myself,but Bill is always by my side,reminding me that life is worth living."

My vision blurred as the pain in my side grew sharper,but I waited for Bill.He had promised to come home,but once again,he didn’t show up.

It wasn’t until the following evening that he returned,eyes red from exhaustion.He glanced at the untouched food on the table and asked casually,“Why haven’t you cooked?”

“You know I can’t eat outside food,”he added without waiting for a response.“You’ve been home all day,and you can’t even manage a meal?”

Bill’s palate was as refined as his tastes—he refused to eat anything made outside,and I had spent three months learning recipes from top chefs just to meet his standards.Yet,it was never enough.

That day,while waiting for him,I found another post from Annie's social media—photos of the two of them eating at a street stall.

"Bill is so sweet for joining me at a street stall.I’m the happiest woman alive!"

I didn’t respond to his scolding.I didn’t have the strength.

He paused,noticing my silence.“Are you still not feeling well?Wait here.”

He returned moments later with a bowl of medicine.

“You probably have a cold,”he said,barely looking at me as he typed on his phone.“Drink this,sleep,and sweat it out.”

I glanced at the phone in his hand and saw the contact name:Annie.

"When are you coming?I don’t want to stay in the hospital alone."

He responded without missing a beat.“Tomorrow.”

I didn’t touch the medicine.

Instead,I said quietly,“Yesterday,you said you’d come back home.But you didn’t.”

He shrugged,his eyes still glued to the screen.“You know how your sister is.Her emotions are unstable,and she faints at the sight of blood.I stayed to make sure she wouldn’t do anything stupid.”

I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.Annie,the woman who had tried to take her own life multiple times.But each time,she never followed through.She would call Bill before it was too late,and each time,he would rush to her side.

This time,it was wrist-slashing.

“Bill,”I said,my voice calm despite the storm inside me,“people who truly want to die don’t announce it to the world.They find a quiet place and leave without a word.”

He stood abruptly,fury clouding his face.“Belle,don’t think for a second that I don’t remember how you manipulated me into this marriage.You should have known what you were getting into.”

He stepped closer,his words seething with contempt.“Anne is pure.Unlike you.You won’t even help your own sister.You’re just...cruel.”

I closed my eyes,taking a deep breath.

“Bill,let’s get a divorce.”

His grip tightened around his phone for a second.Then he shrugged.

“Do whatever you want.”