After I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I bought three necklaces and hid them in three different places. "Hubby, these are my favorite necklaces. You have to burn one for me on my death anniversary every year, okay?" With that one sentence, I leashed the mad dog that was Ethan Sterling. I stopped him from jumping off a building, made him throw away his sleeping pills. Relying on this promise, he survived year after year. Until a young girl appeared by Ethan's side. She was innocent and kind, like a warm little sun. Ethan moved out of our marital home and gave away the puppy I raised. On the third anniversary of my death, Ethan didn't come. I slipped into Ethan's dream, acting cute: "Hubby, you dummy, you haven't found this year's necklace yet." Ethan, who usually chattered endlessly to me, was inexplicably silent. After a long time, he said: "Willow, it's been three years. I need to start a new life too." 1 After Ethan said that, I was stunned for a long time before replying slowly: "Oh, I see." After that sentence, silence fell between us. Ethan lowered his head, hair obscuring his eyes, lost in thought. Actually, this is how it should be. Trees grow upward, people should look forward to the future. I opened my mouth, trying to pretend to be happy. But for some reason, I couldn't curve my lips into a smile no matter how hard I tried. "Is it that girl from your company? She's quite cute. If you're together, treat her well..." Ethan gave a soft "mn." I had so many other questions. I wanted to ask why he moved out of our marital home. I wanted to ask why he gave away my puppy. I also wanted to ask if he would still visit my grave on future anniversaries. But hearing that "mn." I suddenly didn't know what to say, so I turned around somewhat flustered: "Oh, okay, then I'll get going..." I had drifted a few steps away when a voice suddenly came from behind: "Willow, did you really like that necklace?" It was Ethan, his voice characteristically deep. Everyone else called me Willow. Only Ethan called me Will. "Not really, actually I didn't like it that much." Three years ago, I hid those necklaces to give Ethan something to hold onto. So he wouldn't be impulsive, wouldn't follow me in grief. But now, it's not needed. A new girl has appeared by his side. The girl is passionate and bold, approaching him day after day. Melting Ethan's heart, giving him the motivation to live. My necklace seems a bit like an eyesore now. Ethan asked me: "Will, are you angry?" Actually, there's no reason to be angry. My tone was serious: "Ethan Sterling, I'm really not angry." I shouldn't be selfish and domineering, occupying Ethan's life even after death. How could I be angry? If I had to say. Maybe my heart just feels a little sour, so sour my eyes are a bit red. I looked at the moisture on my fingertips, wondering if ghosts can cry too? 2 At eighteen, I found out I was living in a book. Ethan was the male lead, and I was his "white moonlight"—the unforgettable first love who died young. In the book, we only had three years to love each other before I died of stomach cancer. So I suppressed my feelings and intentionally avoided Ethan. Nineteen-year-old Ethan didn't understand why I suddenly became cold to him. He tried hard, hit many walls. Later, there was a fire at school. He was the only one who rushed in to save me. A terrifying scar nearly four inches long wound down his arm. It made him miss his exams and ended his dream of becoming a pilot. Ethan comforted me instead: "Will, I insisted on rushing in, it has nothing to do with you." That night, I accepted Ethan's confession. I told myself, stomach cancer is curable if caught early. The plot in the dream might not happen. After graduating college, we got married. After that, I researched a lot, going for checkups regularly. Ethan was more nervous than me, almost memorizing the test results. Unfortunately, life rarely goes as planned. I don't understand, stomach cancer was detected early. But why did it worsen into late stage in just one month? So unexpected, so contrary to common sense. During that time, Ethan was like a walking corpse, his hair turned half gray, suffering insomnia night after night. Yet he pretended to be relaxed when visiting me, wearing a hat to comfort me not to be afraid. But no miracle happened. Before dying, I hid three necklaces and hired someone to tell Ethan a location every year: "Hubby, this is my favorite necklace. Remember to burn one for me every year, I want to be beautiful in the afterlife too." With this promise, I stopped Ethan's countless thoughts of suicide. Ethan was depressed,消沉 and desperate because of his love for me. And also persisted and cheered up because of his love for me. Three years later, the destined heroine of the plot, Lily Summers, appeared. The heroine would heal him with love and tenderness. Redeeming Ethan from the past, starting the sweet romance plot that followed. The last necklace didn't need to be found. I was destined to be forgotten. 3 I floated behind Lily Summers. The heroine in the plot had a beautiful, innocent face. I heard her complaining to the air: "System, are you sure Ethan likes me? His face is as cold as ice every day, acting like I'm his enemy." A cold robotic voice sounded, presumably the System Lily was talking to: "Host, your role is the little sun. As long as you persist in being proactive, you can soften the male lead's heart. Remember to bring breakfast for the male lead tomorrow." Lily pouted: "Fine. If it weren't for the fifty million dollar prize, I wouldn't take this crappy mission, chasing after someone who ignores me every day." "But, Ethan is handsome and rich. I actually kind of like him. Marrying him and spending the rest of my life with him is actually pretty good. I can even get half his assets. Compared to that, the fifty million is nothing." I stood frozen in place. System? Prize? Mission? What does this mean? The next morning, Lily indeed brought breakfast to the company. She smiled shyly, showing a unique girlish innocence. Ethan was a germaphobe, usually kept strangers away, but uncharacteristically accepted the breakfast. Not only that, he ordered Lily, an intern, to be converted to full-time early. It was completely different from how he treated me back then. At that time, our relationship was strong, and Ethan was childhood friends with my boss. But Ethan asked me to follow company rules. He said he believed in my ability and didn't want me to be gossiped about for using connections. I couldn't tell whose method was better, mine or Lily's. But obviously, Lily was somewhat special in Ethan's heart. After that day, Lily was exceptionally promoted to Ethan's personal assistant. The two were inseparable almost every day. Eating together during work, watching movies together on holidays. Everyone could see Ethan's special treatment of Lily. Employees gossiped, relieved that Ethan finally started another relationship: "Our CEO Sterling is really devoted. Since Miss Willow left, he almost lived in the company day and night, pouring all his energy into work." "That day I was wondering why CEO Sterling kept looking out the window. Later I found out a new chain store opened opposite the company. That was the bakery Miss Willow liked most when she was alive. That afternoon CEO Sterling was restless, signing several contracts wrong, which was unlike his rigorous self." "Miss Willow was very nice. I remember she ordered afternoon tea for us every time she came to the company." "Yeah, but people have to look forward. We are all happy for CEO Sterling that he is willing to step out of the past and start a new life." 4 Ethan moved out of our marital home and bought a new villa. Lily stood in front of the mirror, surrounded by expensive clothes and bags. She happily tried them on: "Ethan is so generous. Buying so many things just after we started dating. If we get married, won't he be even more generous?" System: [Host, rest assured, I will definitely help you marry Ethan. By then, half of the Sterling family assets will be yours.] Lily smiled until her eyes curved: "Of course I believe you. If not for you, I wouldn't even be able to get close to Ethan now." As she spoke, she gritted her teeth a bit: "It's all that bitch Willow Winters' fault. Still lingering after death. If not for her, I would have married Ethan long ago. What 'according to custom, can't marry for three years,' I spit on that!" The day Ethan and I got married. The officiant asked the groom if he would be faithful to the bride for life? Ethan nodded seriously and solemnly said "I do." But actually that night, I quietly made an agreement with him about time: "Hubby, if I die, three years. Just three years, hubby. I don't want a lifetime." I don't know if it's a real custom or if Ethan remembered that night's promise. But undoubtedly, this result is good. Ethan's destined heroine appeared, and I didn't make him make a promise he couldn't keep. Ethan being depressed for three years was already doing right by me. He should start a new stage afterward. For the rest of his life, the one accompanying him should be Lily.
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