In the reflection of the TV, a scar that snaked like a centipede crawled across half of my head. After Zoey fainted, my mother's expression changed instantly. She turned her head to look at me, pointing and scolding me with anger and helplessness. "Why did you have to kick off the blanket? My precious Zoey was already frightened by your bloody state when you were admitted to the hospital and now your broken legs have made her faint again. I don't know what you're plotting!"
I lowered my head like a child who had done something wrong, tears welling up in my eyes. Justice gently patted my shoulder, preparing to get up and take Zoey to the doctor. I had never asked him for anything in our seven years of marriage, but now, as soon as I closed my eyes, I saw those crocodiles lunging at me with blood-soaked jaws. I tightly grabbed his hand, my voice choked with sobs, "Justice, can you please stay here with me? I'm so scared."
He patted my hand. "Be good, Ella. I'll have plenty of time to be with you later, but Zoey's different. She only has one month left. If we don't take care of her now, we won't get another chance." Then, finger by finger, he pried my hand off his and carried Zoey out to find a doctor.
I couldn't help but cry out loud. Zoey was his good friend. She was frightened and fainted, so she needed someone to be with her. Meanwhile, I was just his wife of seven years, who had gone through thick and thin with him. Just someone with late-stage pancreatic cancer who'd had both legs bitten off and somehow clawed her way back from the brink of death. Apparently, I didn't need anyone by my side.
I used to think that if I was obedient, understanding and worked hard enough, someone would eventually love me. Unfortunately, I was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, it was never enough, just like before. Seven years ago, I was blacklisted after refusing to sleep with a director. The pressure drove me to shave my head and plan a wedding with my then-fiancé, who was also a struggling actor.
On our wedding day, my fiancé ran off to another country with my older sister, Zoey. Everyone laughed at me, calling me a tomboy and saying I was so undesirable even a free offer wouldn't work. Then Justice, once hailed as the most promising young actor of his generation, stepped onto the stage and proposed to me in front of everyone.