I chased after Julian Thorne for ten years. He deeply despised me, never giving me a kind look. Until I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He finally started to care about me, even planning a grand proposal. Just when I thought my suffering was over and happiness had arrived. He placed an organ donation agreement in front of me. "Since you don't have long to live anyway, why not give your heart to Claire?" He coaxed me in a low voice. Julian Thorne would never know. On this very day, I discovered my cancer diagnosis was a mistake. I accepted a job offer from across the ocean and finally decided to leave him. 1 When I walked out of the hospital, I was still running a high fever, feeling dazed. Julian's call came through. "Where are you? Didn't I tell you Claire has a heart condition and can't be left alone?" I blinked, and two lines of tears ran down my face, my heart aching as if pierced by a knife. I wanted to say, be nicer to me, Julian, I have terminal cancer, I'm dying soon. But I knew, in Julian's eyes, I was just a desperate admirer who had persisted for ten years. He only cared about Claire, his first love with the heart condition. "I'm coming right away, don't be angry." In the last moments of my life, I still cared about him, not wanting to upset him. When I arrived at Claire's house, I was soaked, clothes clinging to my body. Claire sneezed. Julian's disgusted gaze swept over me. "You brought all this dampness inside. Claire can't handle this." I bent down, hiding the terminal cancer diagnosis deeper in my bag, my heart twisting in pain. "I know." I wiped away a tear. Claire and Julian were playing the piano, a duet. Watching their intimate figures from behind, I had never felt so superfluous. "Wen, can you go upstairs and get a painting for me?" Claire turned her face and smiled at me. When she had this expression, nothing good ever happened. Last time, she drove a shard of a broken wine glass into my palm, then complained to Julian that I was too careless. The time before that, she added crushed peanuts to my food, sending me into anaphylactic shock. My shoulders trembled. "Hurry up, why are you so slow?" Julian sneered, his cold gaze landing on me. Sure enough, while carrying the painting downstairs, Claire let go without warning. I tumbled down the stairs like a ball, landing amidst shattered glass, my entire back riddled with wounds. Claire gasped, as if she wasn't the one who pushed me. "I really liked that painting!" She started crying pitifully. Julian picked up the painting from the floor, not even thinking to help me up. "It's all your fault, clumsy idiot. I can't believe you can do anything right!" He sneered, kicking my leg. But when Claire made mistakes, he didn't say that. Last time I had food poisoning, he told Claire, "It's okay, Wen is tough, she won't die that easily." But I was really dying. I stood up with difficulty, barely able to stand due to the high fever and blood loss. A flicker of pity crossed Julian's brow, and he reached out a hand as if to support me. "My heart feels a bit uncomfortable." Claire clutched her chest, instantly drawing all of Julian's attention. "Stop pretending. If you're hurt, go treat it. Standing here, do you want me to feel sorry for you?" Julian scolded me. I turned around and saw my music composition on Claire's desk. But this was something I prepared for a competition, never shown to anyone. "Where did you find this?" I snatched the score back, protecting it tightly in my arms. Julian snatched it back from me without hesitation. "Claire is having a piano recital soon, she needs a piece." I understood instantly. Only Julian had the key to my house. When I shyly played this piece for him to express my love, was he moved by me, or rejoicing for Claire? My tears flowed like a fountain. Then I suddenly remembered, I have terminal cancer, no more chances. These are all worldly possessions, let Claire have them all, I don't care anymore. The smile on my lips provoked Julian. He sternly questioned why I was so petty. Behind him, Claire's mocking and triumphant gaze fell on me. Overwhelmed by the shock, my knees gave way, and I fainted, losing consciousness. 2 When I woke up, I was alone in the hospital. The bag containing the diagnosis had not even been opened. I slowly got up and thanked the nurse for treating my wounds. "The gentleman who brought you here did it for you." The nurse looked at me in surprise. Julian... When Claire was sick, he would stay up all night with her, but he had never done this for me. Does this mean he cares about me, even just a little bit? My phone rang; it was the bakery owner reminding me that the cake I ordered for Julian days ago was ready. I remembered today was his twenty-seventh birthday. Ten years ago, I met him for the first time. My parents were employees of the Thorne family and died in a work accident. Old Mr. Thorne felt sorry for me and adopted me. Back then, I couldn't sleep at night, crying constantly. It was Julian who knocked on my door and fed me ice cream. He used to be very good to me, until he realized I liked him, then he became suddenly cold. "Being liked by someone poor and lowly like you is a humiliation to me." He told me bluntly that we were not from the same world, not to mistake pity for love. The next day, he brought Claire back. I pulled myself out of the memories, exhausted, and went to pick up the cake. This might be the last birthday I spend with him. No matter what, I hope he is happy. Julian's birthday party was lively; all his friends were there. Standing at the door, I heard them teasing. "The bootlicker didn't show up this year. Did she finally give up?" Another person sneered. "Wen? She's more loyal than a dog. Ten years, and we can't drive her away." Julian let them talk about me. Then I felt my blood run cold as I heard Julian's voice. "Ten years ago we made a bet, to see how long she'd last with my cold treatment. Turns out she's still here today." The room filled with their laughter. As I turned to leave, Claire spotted me. Her playful gaze landed on me. "You're here, why not come in? Finally realized you're not worthy?" My tears hadn't dried yet as I looked at her. "At least I'm not vicious." Despite saying that, I uncomfortably hid the hand holding the cake behind my back. The ten-layer cake Claire ordered for him was too expensive, making mine look laughable. "Sister-in-law is here!" As Claire walked ahead, everyone stood up. Julian frowned and scolded everyone not to talk nonsense, but let Claire sit beside him. "Brother Julian is still hiding it from us, but Auntie already told us about the engagement between you and Sister-in-law." Everyone's eyes drifted over me casually. I straightened my back, raised my glass, smiling more painfully than crying. "Then congratulations to you both." I downed the drink in one gulp. "Are you crazy?" Julian grabbed my hand, looking tense. So he remembered I was allergic to alcohol. But last time I had a conflict with Claire, he forced me to drink as an apology until I got alcohol poisoning. His bad treatment always outweighed the good, making me feel that even death was a relief. "Julian." Claire called him softly. Julian turned around quickly, no longer paying any attention to me. After the cake, everyone clamored for Julian to open gifts. His friends were all rich heirs; I was out of place among them. When he opened mine, Julian's gaze grew serious. It was a jade bracelet. Not the best quality, but it was the only relic my mother left me. I once told Julian that if I were to die, I would give him the bracelet. "What are you playing at? Faking illness, playing hard to get, I really underestimated your tactics." He suddenly flew into a rage. Yes, in his eyes, I was just faking it. I wiped my tears. "I won't be able to stay by your side anymore. I wish you and Claire happiness forever." Even if the future no longer includes me. Julian turned away suppressing his anger, as if looking at me dirtied his eyes. "Don't be angry." Claire tugged at his sleeve and held out her hand. "I think the bracelet is very beautiful. Can I have it?" Julian lowered his head and put it on her. Claire gave me a provocative smile. She mouthed three words to me— "You're not worthy." Sitting in the corner, my love for Julian shattered piece by piece in that moment. My phone rang. It was an email from Cole. "Wen, I opened a music studio in the States. Would you consider being my partner?" My hands trembled slightly. "What are you looking at?" Perhaps noticing my odd behavior, Julian leaned over to look at my phone screen. I quickly switched screens. His eyes darkened, and then, he saw my Taobao shopping cart. Inside lay an expensive ring, dazzlingly bright. "Stop pretending. Saying you bless Claire and me, but in your heart, you're still delusional about marrying me." His lips curled into a mocking arc. Everyone around laughed, saying I was daydreaming, a toad wanting to eat swan meat. Expressionless, I turned off my phone screen. "Whatever you say." I didn't care anymore. 3 If only I had received the email earlier. Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I would have accepted with joy, taking the chance to leave Julian forever. I realized then that the thought of leaving him had long been in my heart. But it was impossible now; I had no future. When I got home, I took off the safety charm I had worn for ten years. It was what Julian prayed for when I was seriously ill at 17. One for him, one for me. The charm was useless. Loving Julian persistently was useless too. Mrs. Thorne suddenly messaged me, asking me to go to the old mansion. I owed the Thorne family, so I never refused her. When I arrived, Julian was sulking with his family, turning his face away from me. Seeing me, Mrs. Thorne smiled. "Just in time. I heard today that rumors are spreading about Julian and Claire being engaged." Mrs. Thorne frowned. "I don't like that girl. She has heart disease, poor health, and acts too delicate." She liked me, never because of my character or talent. Only because I was healthy, obedient, docile, and loved Julian wholeheartedly. "I called you here today to discuss your marriage." Julian crossed his arms and snorted coldly. "Is she worthy? Mom, are you confused? Aren't you all about social status?" He pushed me. "Wen, what potion did you give her? You're so unscrupulous!" I met his gaze calmly. "Let go of me." Julian was stunned. In ten years, I had never spoken to him in that tone. "I'm sorry, Auntie. We're not suitable. It can't be forced." Julian froze. "Wen, you..." I took the diagnosis out of my bag. "Three days ago, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctor said I have less than a year left." Julian collapsed. Like a cooked noodle, unable to support his own body. He snatched the diagnosis from my hand, reading it over and over. "We'll see a doctor. It can be cured, it must be curable." Julian's hands trembled as he leaned on my shoulder. I felt a dampness. "It can't be cured! Do you know what terminal cancer is? I can't live anymore. I won't pester you again. You happy now?" I pushed him away, wiped my eyes, and cried out loud. Julian's phone rang incessantly. It was Claire. "What do I do? My condition worsened. The doctor says I need a healthy heart donor ASAP." On the other end, Claire cried pitifully. "I'll go to the hospital to accompany her first. She needs me. Once her matter is resolved, I'll take you to the doctor." My heart, just warmed up, went cold again. "When it's resolved, bring her to burn incense on my grave." I sneered. Every time it was like this. Every time, Claire's needs were several priorities higher than mine. I had learned not to expect anything. Shortly after Julian left, Claire posted a Moment. Afraid I wouldn't see it, she specifically tagged me. Every photo featured Julian running errands for her, feeding her, helping her with injections. I commented on it. "He's a scumbag, you're cheap. A match made in heaven." Since I won't live long anyway, might as well offend everyone. 4 Three days later, Julian called me. "Come to the beach where we first met, okay?" Julian was once kidnapped on that very beach. After getting the money, the kidnappers threw him into the sea. I jumped in and saved him. He had stopped breathing. I performed CPR on him over and over. The first thing he did upon waking was push me away violently. "Why is it you? Where's Claire?" Recalling the past, I laughed at myself. My heart instinctively tightened. I didn't want anything bad to happen to him. The beach was calm. Julian stood before me holding a bouquet, looking handsome. A grand and solemn proposal scene, yet I arrived sweaty, without even lipstick. Even though I told him a hundred times. "When you propose to me, you must tell me in advance. For the most important moment in life, I want to be prepared, pretty and exquisite." People who don't love me just can't remember a word I say. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so cold to you before. Please give me another chance to treat you well for the rest of my life, okay?" Julian knelt on one knee before me. He opened the ring box. Inside was the ring I once added to my shopping cart. So he remembered. Maybe because it was too dazzling, my dead heart stirred a little. I covered my face, trying hard not to cry out loud. Such a solemn ritual finally sparked some of my pink fantasies. This was the scene I had been anticipating since ten years ago. Just as I was about to take the flowers from Julian, Claire shouted— "Don't!" Forgetting her heart disease, she ran over recklessly and knelt before me. "Please don't guilt-trip him morally. I know your terminal cancer is pitiful, but he has no obligation to be with you..." Julian frowned, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Claire, get up. I'm doing this voluntarily. Wen didn't force me." I crossed my arms, watching their love-hate drama. I hadn't intended to agree, but feeling rebellious now, I quickly took the ring from Julian. Since Claire opposed me at every turn, I'd spite her to death! Seeing me accept, Julian breathed a sigh of relief. He held my hand with one hand and Claire's with the other. "The three of us have been best friends for ten years." He looked at me with earnest eyes. "Wen, after we marry, sign a body donation agreement, okay? Since you don't have long to live anyway, and Claire needs a heart." So that was it. My heart went cold instantly. I understood everything. How pathetic. I wasn't even sad anymore. Perhaps I was used to Julian's bias. Claire looked at me with an expression that said it was only natural. I shook off their hands. "Perhaps you have some misunderstanding about me." I stood up straight. "But this heart of mine, even if I throw it on the street for dogs to eat, I won't give it to Claire." I sneered and turned to leave. Julian hugged my waist. "Wen, don't be impulsive. I love you!" After ten years, I finally heard love from his lips. Sadly, I no longer coveted it. A text message arrived. I opened it. It was from the hospital. "Sorry, we mixed up your medical records with another lady of the same name. You are in good health." I was overwhelmed by sheer joy. Only after losing it once did I realize that love is far less important than life. I quickly replied to Cole's email and booked a flight for tonight. I accepted his job offer. Panic flashed in Julian's eyes. Before losing something, people often have a premonition. I said nothing to him, just hugged him. "Honey, I accept your proposal. Go prepare the wedding." "I have some matters to handle abroad. Don't worry, I'll be back on time before the wedding." I lied to him. I would never come back. But he had embarrassed and humiliated me so much. I wanted him to wait at a wedding for one, for a bride who would never come. This was my final revenge on him.
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