Chapter 2

The next morning, the maid knocked on the master bedroom door three times, but Ethan wouldn't wake up.

She had no choice but to come to me.

I tried calling his phone, only to remember he had blocked me.

With a bitter smile, I called Serena’s phone instead.

It rang for a long time before someone picked up.

It was Ethan's groggy voice.

"Hello?"

"It's Chloe. Get up and get ready. We need to go to the courthouse to file the papers. If you can't wake up, we'll have to reschedule our divorce appointment."

He woke up instantly, as if terrified I would back out.

He snapped:

"No rescheduling. Today! Give me twenty minutes."

Soon, loud rustling sounds came from the master bedroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Ethan and Serena came downstairs.

She looked at me shyly and smiled.

"Chloe, I want to come along too. You don't mind, do you?"

My eyes fell on a faint red mark on her neck.

They must have been in too much of a rush, and her concealer hadn't covered it completely.

Serena blushed and quickly covered her neck with her hand.

"I..."

"I don't mind. Let's go. I don't want to get stuck in traffic," I cut her off.

I opened the back door of the car myself, leaving the front passenger seat for Serena.

They chatted happily in the front.

They talked about skiing, skydiving, and bungee jumping.

I had rarely seen Ethan laugh so brightly.

The last time...

It must have been three years ago when my surgery succeeded, and the doctor announced I was in remission.

I couldn't join the conversation.

My health was too poor for any extreme sports.

So, I kept my head down, drafting an email to the hospital abroad.

Their laughter filled the car until Serena started talking about their wedding.

Suddenly, Ethan called my name.

"Chloe, Serena and I want to get married as soon as possible. Probably the day after tomorrow."

My fingers tightened around my phone until my knuckles turned white. I forced a smile.

"Really?"

"That's great. Congratulations."

Ethan paused, then continued:

"I want you to attend our wedding."

"There have been rumors in our social circle that Serena is a homewrecker. If you show up and give us your blessings, or say a few words for her, it will save her reputation."

The smile on my face completely shattered.

It felt as though the cancer had spread to my heart, causing an unbearable, suffocating pain.

"I'm sorry, but I booked a flight to go abroad the day after tomorrow. I want to travel a bit."

"I won't be able to make it to your wedding, but I'll send a gift. I wish you both the best."

Ethan wanted to argue, but Serena gently stopped him.

She smiled at me warmly.

"Thank you, Chloe. Please stay safe traveling alone!"

By then, we arrived at the courthouse.

Filing the papers went smoothly, but Ethan kept a dark, angry face the entire time.

I could tell he was furious about my refusal in the car.

Right before we left, while Serena went to the restroom, Ethan confronted me.

"Why won't you come to our wedding? Are you still throwing a tantrum?"

I looked at him, my eyes burning.

"Ethan, what you're asking is too cruel."

"I am your wife—even if I'm about to be your ex-wife. I loved you deeply. How can you ask me to stand at your wedding and bless you and your next wife? What do you take me for?"

"Besides, whether Serena is a homewrecker or not, we all know the truth."

Ethan's face darkened even more.

He grabbed my wrist tightly, his voice rising.

"So what!"

"Can you stop clinging to the past? Yes, I saved you, and yes, I loved you. But that's over. Can't you just move on with some dignity? Stop acting like you're on the verge of death all the time just to make us feel guilty."

"Chloe, I saved your life. In exchange, you can't even attend our wedding? Really?"

I was forced to look up at him.

Ethan stared down at me with nothing but anger and disgust.

He looked at me as if I were a nuisance, an obstacle in his path to happiness.

Staring at his face, I could barely remember the man who used to love me more than life itself. Even the memory of my love for him was fading.

Just like the cancer cells, it had rotted away inside my body.

With a raspy voice, I finally gave in.

"Fine."