Death on the Wedding Anniversary

"You'll need a kidney transplant soon, or your body won't last much longer."

The doctor was handsome, but he didn't know how to break bad news.

I guess not many people are as unlucky as I am.

I came home holding the diagnosis. The first thing I saw were two pairs of shoes by the entrance, one man's and one woman's.

Yep, that jerk brought another woman home again.

I kicked aside the woman's heels and walked to the bedroom door, listening for a moment. The sounds coming from inside were pretty intense.

That jerk's bedroom skills had definitely leveled up. No surprise given all the practice he'd had these past couple of years.

They say money makes men bad, and it sure seemed true here.

I planned to take a shower, but my stomach churned. I collapsed against the door.

The overpowering scent of perfume hit me.

Even through the chaos, I found myself admiring the man's body. After two weeks apart, I had to admit it still looked good.

He was lean in clothes but muscular underneath, with perfect features and long legs, exactly my type.

Back in high school, he'd strum a guitar, and I fell for him like an idiot.

The mistress shrieked and threw herself into his arms, terrified.

He turned around and saw me watching. With a smirk, he scooped her up in a princess carry and threw her onto the bed, nuzzling her.

If I weren't the scorned wife, this scene would look like something out of a romance drama.

From high school to the wedding aisle, I'd given my youth to this jerk.

We'd been married for five years, and he'd been cheating since year three.

It started subtly. Eventually, he didn't even bother hiding it. He brought his mistresses to our bed.

At first, I cried, yelled, and even considered suicide. In my rage, I clawed his face until it bled, but he never argued back or fought me. He just refused to change. Eventually, he stopped pretending to care.

I decided to get a divorce, but that sly man had planned his every move.

If I really left, I'd be an almost-thirty woman, and everything I'd worked for over the years wouldn't be mine anymore.

Easton would still elegantly pinch my chin, mocking me with veiled threats. He said if I quit my job and became the perfect housewife, he wouldn't mind rewarding me with a limited-edition black card.

There were times I couldn't believe that Easton could say such things.

I had cut ties with my family for him, so I had no way out. I wasn't willing to leave, but I didn't have the courage either, so I caved.

If this were an online forum, I'd be a classic example of a woman criticized for being too lovesick.

...

After a night of nightmares in the guest room, I woke up with a splitting headache.

"Sorry about last night, babe. I had a bit to drink."

While making breakfast, a pair of large hands suddenly wrapped around me from behind.

The hug that used to make my heart race now made me feel nothing but a little nauseous.

"I'm making porridge. It's hot, so don't mess around."

Without changing my expression, I brushed him off and went to grab a plate.

"Well, you haven't been home lately. Where've you been?"

Easton's complaint seemed casual, but I felt an eerie sense of danger.

It felt like if I said the wrong thing, he'd pounce on me and tear me apart.

I was actually a little scared of him now, even though he'd never really laid a hand on me.

I smiled and said, "Where could I have gone? I'm unemployed, so I went shopping with Mary in Vewell. Mmph..."

Before I could finish, he abruptly kissed me.

His expert kissing skills, sharp nose, and handsome profile were flawless. No wonder women always flocked to him.

Ugh, so much energy first thing in the morning.

I hadn't been this close to him in ages, and I couldn't handle such an intense "play."

"Mmph!"

This time, I couldn't hold it in. I threw up.

Easton looked down at the mess on his collar, his expression dark.

I didn't bother to explain, rushing to the bathroom and locking the door behind me.

As I vomited endlessly, silent tears streamed down my face. I cursed that jerk outside in my heart.

"Why couldn't it be you who dies?"

After venting, I felt self-pity, thinking I was just pathetic and deserved to be treated poorly.

If I couldn't give up the material things, I had to sacrifice myself.

I wiped my mouth and opened the door to find Easton standing there, frowning. "Is your stomach acting up again?" he asked.

I was surprised he remembered my old condition, caused by all the business dinners and drinking I did with him back then.

I smiled and said, "I've eaten too much spicy food lately. I'll eat something light at Mom's in a few days."

"Has Mom found another remedy?"

Easton frowned, then impatiently pulled me into his arms. I could feel his Adam's apple move against my ear.

"Don't let her push you. Having a baby can't be rushed. There are plenty of ways, and drinking too much herbal medicine isn't good for you anyway."

I thought, "It's already hopeless."

Seeing me nod, he kissed my hair and joked, "You were throwing up so loudly, I thought you were pregnant."

I chuckled. "Even if I were, it wouldn't be yours. You haven't touched me in almost six months."

I closed my eyes, surprised by this rare moment of tenderness.

Just yesterday, he was satisfied with someone else, and today he's being all gentle with the wife he despises. His inconsistency terrified me.

I had already lost everything. What more could he possibly want from me?

Suddenly, Easton went silent.

I looked up, puzzled. I saw his face twisted in anger, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

"He's mad again?"

I awkwardly stepped back and wisely grabbed a spoon to serve soup.

He said coldly, "Make sure you're clear on that. Are you upset I haven't satisfied you? Thinking of finding someone else?"

I froze, almost laughing from anger.

How could such a manipulative, shameless man exist?!

I couldn't be bothered to argue. "I'm hungry. Can we argue after dinner?"

"Let me tell you something, Rylee. Don't think you can climb higher after we divorce. You're pushing thirty. Have some self-awareness."

Furious, he sloppily fixed his tie and walked out to call his mistress from the other day.

"You insane jerk!

I'm not going anywhere. I'll die in this house and haunt you every day, cursing you with impotence!

And for the record, I'm only twenty-six!"

I stormed off and stayed at Mary's place for a few days.

Mary is my best friend. She owns a dance studio, has a strong, respected father, and a soldier who's been chasing her for years.

She's fiery and always frustrated with me for being too soft. After I vented, she scolded me for being a pushover, and all I could do was laugh awkwardly.

...

In the end, a single call from my mom-in-law, Eloise, summoned me back.

I had always admired Eloise, with her graceful demeanor and gentle nature.

The first time I visited Easton's home in high school, I happened to get my period.

Embarrassed, I hid in the bathroom, too afraid to come out. Easton thought it was my appendix and was about to kick down the door.

It was Eloise who figured out my situation. She calmly sent him away and discreetly passed me a little care package.

Later, she secretly complained to me about how clueless her son was.

At that moment, I thought, "How wonderful it would be if she were my mom."

Easton was raised by a single mother after his father passed away. His mom came from a wealthy family, so he was technically a second-generation rich kid.

As a scholar with high ambitions, he didn't want to rely on the family fortune and insisted on starting his own business right after college.

After his business succeeded, Eloise would discreetly push me to convince him to take over the family business.

This led to a few arguments between Easton and me after we got married.

As our relationship worsened, the topic became a taboo. Mentioning it always led to a fight.

I still remember the disdain on his face when he asked if I was hoping he'd go back, grab some cash, and mess around with other women.

I threw my dessert right in his face.

Later, for reasons I don't understand, he softened and took over the family business, claiming it was to make me a secure rich wife.

As I approached the door, I saw Eloise beckon me over.

Sitting next to her was a familiar-looking woman.

I froze in shock. Wasn't this the mistress I had caught with Easton just a few days ago?

"Rylee, I called you over today to discuss something."

I thought, "As long as it's not another weird remedy for me to try. My kidneys are already shot."

"Let me introduce you. This is Esther Wallace, Mr. Wallace's youngest daughter from next door. She just returned from studying abroad and now works at a research institute."

"I know her, Mom." I extended a hand in greeting. "She was at my house a few days ago."

Esther blushed. Eloise looked awkward, coughing and muttering, "She's a respectable girl. Why is he so oblivious?"

She glanced at me and continued, "Rylee, I know this is hard on you. But what man doesn't seek a little novelty now and then? Easton still cares about you. Where he's lacking, I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"Mom, I remember all the kindness you've shown me."

I glanced at Esther and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

"You and Easton have been married for years, and I'm getting older. My only wish is to hold a grandchild soon."

Eloise patted my hand, sighing before adding, "I know your health isn't great, and Easton's turning 30 soon. Maybe we could consider a scientific approach to having a child?"

I smiled. "Whatever you think is best."

"Esther's been abroad long and is into that non-marriage thing. But she's been thinking about a business marriage to settle things with her family. Do you know how the Wallace family is an intellectual, modern thinker? The more I consider it, the more I realize it could be a win-win for everyone. It would spare you pain, and the child would have more people to love them. Would you consider it?"

My head spun, and I swallowed hard. "Have you talked to Easton about this?"

"Of course. Easton said as long as you're on board, it's fine with him."

Eloise spoke earnestly, "Rylee, you and Easton act like children because you don't have one yet. Once you have a child, I'm sure things will smooth out between you two. With a baby, your hearts will naturally come together."

I pressed my lips together, not saying a word.

Eloise reassured me, saying we didn't have to rush and could take our time to think it over.

As Esther and I left together, she stopped me at the entrance of the complex.

"Ms. Bailey, I won't take Easton from you. He's your husband and always will be."

I stared at the ground and said quietly, "Honestly, I wouldn't mind. If you can convince Easton to divorce me, I might even thank you."

Esther smiled, her tone almost regretful. "He still loves you, deep down. I think he's just trying to keep you by his side with this plan."

"WTF? This homewrecker's acting all magnanimous!"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. "You shameless couple really are a perfect match. Who gave you the nerve to lecture me? With your bare-assed bravado?"

Without waiting for her reaction, I straightened my back and walked off, ignoring her reddening face.

...

On the day of my scheduled dialysis, I went alone as usual.

In the hospital room, I saw the smiling doctor again. "Why is it always him? I've developed a physical aversion to men by now."

"Do you know how many people are waiting for an appointment with me?"

"I'm not here to fangirl over you, okay? I don't care about your face!"

"I'm just trying to help. A familiar face is better than a stranger, right?"

"We've only met once! How are you so friendly already?"

"Once?" The young doctor smiled brightly, with a hint of shyness. "Rylee, do you remember who your high school class president was?"

I stared at him for a moment, my mind racing. Finally, I read the name off his uniform badge, murmuring, "Landon Foster!"

"Was I just my glasses to you? You can't recognize me without them?"

I stammered, pointing at him. "Weren't you super nearsighted? And, uh, a little chubby?"

Actually, more than a little.

In high school, I used to sit in the back and tease the smart kids. I remember he had such thick glasses that I nicknamed him "Little Chubby."

Forgotten memories came flooding back.

I leaned in, surprised. "I knew that chubby kids are always late bloomers!"

He smiled, dimples showing. "I owe it to you. Without your teasing back then, I wouldn't have had the motivation to lose weight."

Feeling a bit guilty, I quickly changed the subject. "What about your glasses? You're not even wearing contacts now, are you?"

"I got it fixed completely."

Landon's smile grew serious. "If I could cure my half-blindness, Rylee, you should have faith in yourself. Have faith in medicine."

I couldn't help but laugh at his seriousness. "With you looking this good, I might not even want to get better."

I never realized he could talk so much.

He went over every possible situation that could happen before and after dialysis in excruciating detail. Listening to him made my head spin, like I was being sedated.

I slept for a long time and dreamed many dreams of the past, and Easton was in every single one.

When I first met him, Easton was tall and skinny, always leaning against the window, daydreaming during breaks. Looking back now, it feels pretentious. Back then, I would rush out with my beloved camera after class, pretending to shoot the scenery when the only subject I was framing was him.

Later, we were in the same club and spent more time together. I couldn't hide my feelings, so I impulsively confessed to him.

Back then, his features weren't fully developed, but he was already a beautiful boy. When he smiled, it was like the stars filled his eyes. He played an unknown melody on his guitar and then kissed me.

From that day on, every moment was sweet.

He went out of his way to take the bus with me in the mornings, brought me different breakfasts every day, and quietly convinced his mom to accept me.

Back then, Easton was the type to act without talking. I realized many things only after the fact.

We went to college in the same city and met every week, discovering new spots together, rain or shine. Whenever I saw something new, the first person I wanted to tell was him. We talked on the phone until my bill ran out, and even when we argued, we couldn't stay mad for more than a day.

In my junior year, while he was in his first year of grad school, I was going through a rough patch. To buy me the camera I wanted, he secretly worked three jobs and lost over ten pounds in a month.

I was studying for a certification exam. When I saw the gift after it was over, I touched his sunken cheeks and cried my heart out. The next day, I dragged him to the courthouse, and we married.

After he graduated, he turned down job offers to start his own business. The first six months were tough. He kept losing money, and no one believed in him. I sold the house my grandfather left me, ran around with him looking for sponsors and investors, and downing drinks like there was no tomorrow, but I still woke up early the next day to make him breakfast.

We were newlyweds then, exhausted beyond belief, but we never ran out of things to say. Every night, we fell asleep in each other's arms.

He never officially said he loved me. Even now, I still believe he did.

It wasn't earth-shattering, but we had the courage to give everything for each other.

Sadly, even that kind of love couldn't withstand the passage of time.

"You were smiling so sweetly in your dream," Landon said.

His words pulled me out of my drowsy state, and I felt like I was still dreaming.

If being pathetic were a disease, I'd be in the final stages, worse than any terminal illness.

I forced a smile and urged him to go out and get me some breakfast.

After rummaging around and not finding my phone, I slowly walked to the nurse's station to borrow one.

I needed to let Mary know I was in the hospital, or she'd freak out if she couldn't reach me.

The phone barely rang once before she picked up.

As soon as she heard my voice, Mary was furious. "Oh, so you remember who I am?"

I laughed and tried to soothe her, "There's only one person in the world who cares about me. I wouldn't dare forget."

"I'm coming to see you right now. Don't try to stop me, or I'll knock you out."

I smiled. "Fine, come over. And bring a charger while you're at it."

Before hanging up, I added, "Oh, and if anyone asks where I've been, just say I've been staying at your place."

"Why?"

I heard two voices, one from the phone and one right behind me.

Stunned, I turned around.

Easton stood behind me, his expression blank. Esther was on his arm, her face equally puzzled.

"Uh..."

I quickly hung up the phone, my mind racing to come up with an explanation.

The veins in Easton's temple bulged as he marched over and grabbed my arm, demanding, "What's going on with you?"

My post-dialysis body couldn't handle his grip. I tried to pull away but couldn't, so I winced and said, "It's just appendicitis. I had a minor surgery. You don't need to..."

"What are you doing? Let go of her!"

Landon came running over with a lunchbox, pulled me behind him, and stared seriously at Easton.

Easton flexed his fingers, glancing between us.

I knew this was his expression when he was furious.

He then said, "Rylee, explain it."