Chapter 10
The surgery went well without any issues.
When I woke up, Travis was standing by my bed, his eyes full of emotion. “I always believed you’d pull through,” he said.
I gave him a faint smile. “This is only the beginning. There’s still a long road of treatment and check–ups ahead.”
There’s still a long road ahead before I’m completely healed.
Travis acted like he was annoyed. “Wait a second. Who is the doctor here, you or me? I say you’ve got a long life ahead and you’re gonna live a long, long life.”
I chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’ll trust your word.”
After the surgery, I needed someone to help take care of me. I had planned on hiring a nurse, but out of nowhere, Helena gave me a call to see how I was doing.
Once she heard I needed help, she said she’d come right away, no questions asked.
With her help, I could rest and recover peacefully. Even Travis was shocked at how quickly I was getting better.
“Have you been taking some magic tonic or something?” he asked.
“It’s all thanks to Helena’s amazing cooking,” I replied.
Another bonus of having someone like Helena around was her ability to keep unwanted visitors away. Every time Stephen tried to stop by, she
Chapter 10
sent him away at the door.
If he ever managed to piss her off, she’d definitely lecture him and maybe even hit him to chase him off.
Eventually, everyone on the entire floor knew that the girl in Room 603 was being pestered by a guy who cheated on her.
Stephen became a laughingstock. People gave him nasty looks every time. he showed up.
In the end, he couldn’t handle the gossip and stayed away, even when Helena wasn’t around.
But sometimes, mistakes happen. One day, while Helena was out getting fruit, someone took the chance to sneak in.
Braelyn burst into my ward, smug as ever. Wearing that self–satisfied smirk, she said, “Morning, Zorelle. Want to hear some good news?”
She didn’t give me a chance to say a word–just pulled out a marriage certificate and shoved it in my face.
Then she pulled out a photo of her and Stephen, wearing wedding outfits, standing side by side.
“We’re married!” she said.
Braelyn kept her eyes locked on mine, trying to catch even a flicker of emotion or hurt.
Too bad for her, I stayed completely calm. “So this was your condition in exchange for agreeing to the surgery?”
Her smile froze, not knowing how to respond.
Guess I was right.
(7.51
Chapter 10
I said with a slight smirk, “Congrats. After everything you did, you finally got what you always wanted.”
Her face tightened in anger, and she snapped back, voice rising, “Don’t talk nonsense! Stephen married me because he loved me! I’m just being generous by letting you live!”
Those two really are a perfect match. When they lose it, they both go nuts, shouting so loud it gives people a headache.
I stayed calm and told her, “Are you done? If so, you can go now.”
She didn’t move. Then, out of nowhere, she let out a strange laugh.
She reached over and snapped the fresh, beautiful tulips on the table, threw them to the ground, and crushed them beneath her shoe.
She sneered, “Say whatever you want. It doesn’t matter. You’ve lost everything, and your life ahead won’t be easy.”
As I stared at the fallen flower petals scattered on the ground, I felt a quiet anger building up inside me.
I decided it was time to let her know something she’d only find out later
anyway.
“Who told you I’m left with nothing?”
Braelyn turned around with a puzzled look on her face.
I answered clearly, one word at a time, “Before my surgery, Stephen signed an agreement with me. If it worked out, everything he owned would be mine.
“I should really thank you both. Now I’m not just healthy, I’m also rich.”
It was Stephen who brought up the agreement. He told me himself that no
Chapter 10
matter what happened, he’d honor his promise.
Honestly, I was scared that I’d survive the surgery and end up broke.
Luckily, I had everything planned down to the last detail.
After I hit him with the truth, he totally lost it and stormed back to the house we used to share.
I had Helena follow him quietly and give him one last emotional shove.
When she came back, she held up her fingers in an “OK” sign. I knew it was taken care of
She told me that Stephen was passed out on the sofa, smelling like liquor, clutching the photo from our engagement. The TV was showing “The Last Documentary“, the one Raphael made for me.
On the screen, I was crying while talking about my ten–year relationship with Stephen. My voice was soft, but there was a deep sadness in it.
On the table, lying under that photo, was a paper that had been hidden for years, something Stephen wrote to our future selves a decade ago.
He wrote it the night I had my miscarriage.
That was the year his job made me lose the baby. He got down on his knees, sobbing, and swore that if he ever betrayed me, he’d walk away from everything without taking a thing.
Honestly, I always knew I wouldn’t get much out of him unless he let me.
So sometimes, stepping back is really a way to move forward. Why should. I let them waste what’s mine?
Braelyn’s face went through all kinds of changes, first blank, then shocked, then pure panic.
Chapter 10
“No way! You…”
Her fingers trembled as she pointed at me like she wanted to attack me on the spot.
I gave her a calm smile and said, “Why are you getting worked up? You love Stephen, not his money, right?”
All of a sudden, Braelyn collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe like she was choking or drowning.
I pressed the call button.
A nurse arrived shortly after and helped her up, taking her away before she could pass out.
She had left the hospital too soon, desperate to get the marriage certificate before she had fully healed. No wonder she couldn’t handle the shock.
What a shame about my flowers.
They were a gift from Raphael.
