Chapter 2

"It took me so much effort to get this appointment. If I miss it, I'll have to wait forever." I explained urgently, "This is life-saving."

Having rushed to the airport early in the morning after pulling an all-nighter, my disheveled appearance earned Ethan's utter disdain.

"What's all this fuss about? Our airline isn't refusing to compensate you. We even upgraded your seat. Don't be so greedy!"

I threw the five-hundred-dollar voucher he shoved at me, my emotions crumbling. "I don't want an upgrade. I just need to get to my appointment on time.

The doctor already said that if I don't get treated soon, it could turn cancerous. Can five hundred dollars compensate me for my life?"

Seeing that I wasn't backing down, Ethan's face immediately darkened. "Are you done yet?

I thought you quit your job to better take care of Leo, but it turns out you just wanted to be lazy and fake illnesses all day at home.

It's one thing to put on an act at home, but now you're doing it in public? Isn't that shameful? So much drama, why don't you try acting?"

His harsh words pierced my heart.

When I married him, I not only defied my parents' wishes but also chose to forgo a wedding house and gifts.

After we married, he was incredibly gentle with me. The only imperfection was how difficult it was for us to have a child.

To fulfill his dream of becoming a father, I endured physical discomfort and psychological pressure, finally conceiving after hundreds of IVF injections.

But shortly after Leo was born, I found out that the multiple IVF treatments had stimulated my uterine lining, leading to lesions.

Just at this crucial point, Ethan entered a critical phase in his career, about to be promoted from co-pilot to captain.

Fearing he'd be distracted, I kept my illness a secret and voluntarily quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom.

It wasn't until the doctor sternly told me that I couldn't overexert myself, needed more rest, and recommended a specialist in Florida for urgent surgery, that I started to panic.

But the specialist was so sought after, I couldn't get an appointment.

To prevent my condition from worsening, I strictly followed medical advice, no longer frequently cleaning the house or doing a lot of daily chores.

Ethan's dissatisfaction grew daily. I thought he would understand and empathize after I explained, but instead, he believed it was just an excuse to avoid housework.

Watching the boarding time tick by, I was burning with anxiety and could only bring up Leo.

"For Leo's sake, please let me through. He's only three, he can't be without a mom."

Hearing me mention our son, the disdain in his eyes deepened.

"You have the nerve to bring up Leo?

Making a scene and being a compulsive liar in public, are you fit to be his mother?

Aren't you afraid you'll set a bad example for him?

I advise you to stop playing games.

As a captain, I won't show favoritism. Airline policy states that in cases of overselling, only rebooking is allowed. And you, you're no exception!"

Looking at his "impartial" face, I was utterly disappointed.

Just then, a female passenger, Mrs. Davis, came forward and tried to persuade him.

"Your wife looks very unwell. She might really be sick. How about I give her my seat? I'm not in a hurry."

My eyes lit up, but Ethan rejected her outright, without a word.

"Olivia, don't think I didn't see your annual physical report from last year. It clearly states you're perfectly healthy."

"When did I get a phy---"

"Silence!"

Ethan rudely interrupted. "Don't keep using others' kindness to achieve your ulterior motives."

At his words, Mrs. Davis, who had sympathized with me, immediately gave me a look of mixed emotions. The next second, she walked into the boarding gate without looking back.

Left with no choice, I pulled out my electronic appointment confirmation and a screenshot of my medical records.

"Ethan, look, I really did book an appointment with an oncology specialist at Florida Affiliated Hospital. I pulled several all-nighters to get this slot, I really can't afford to miss it."

Ethan didn't even glance at it, sneering repeatedly.

"Your lying skills are getting more sophisticated. Wouldn't it be better to spend that free time taking care of the family and Leo?"

Looking at this man I thought I knew so well, I trembled with anger.

"Ethan, in your eyes, am I someone who would joke about her own life?"

"Who knows? All I know is that to gain my attention and concern, you've completely lost it."

Before he finished speaking, the airport announcement blared for the third time.

"Attention Ms. Chloe Thorne, flying to Florida, your flight T2135 is about to depart. Please proceed to Gate 5 immediately."