I had just been diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Before I could tell my husband, I found him in the parking garage. He had the new intern pinned against a car, kissing her. Our eyes met. I didn't cry or make a scene. I just turned and left, tearing the papers into pieces and throwing them in the trash. That night, he brought her home. He deliberately showed off the hickey on his neck. He and Sophia deliberately made suggestive moans in the guest bedroom. But unlike before, I didn't go hysterical. I just stayed quietly in the study, never disturbing his little affair. He went crazy, kissing my lips fiercely. "Evelyn, aren't you angry?" He didn't know I was dying. With only fifteen days left to live, I didn't want to fight over a man whose heart had already wandered. Evelyn POV In the quiet bedroom, my phone screen suddenly lit up. I opened my email. It was a confirmation letter from a Swiss organization. "Ms. Evelyn Hart, your assisted death application has been approved. The flight is scheduled for fifteen days from now. Please arrive on time." I stared at those words for a long time, until my eyes burned, then slowly exhaled and pressed the lock button. Fifteen days. I only had fifteen days left in this world. At the same time, on the hundred-inch TV on the wall, a financial interview was being broadcast live. Under the spotlight, Ethan Sterling wore a perfectly tailored bespoke suit, devastatingly handsome. The host smiled and asked, "Mr. Sterling, I heard you named the landmark building about to be completed in the city center 'Evelyn Tower.' Does it have any special meaning?" Hearing that name, Ethan's usually stern eyes instantly softened with infinite tenderness. "Evelyn is my wife's name." He looked at the camera, his voice deep and certain. "This tower is my ten-year anniversary gift to her. I want everyone in the city to know that Ethan Sterling will always love Evelyn Hart." The audience immediately burst into thunderous applause, and the host's envy was visible to the naked eye. "Oh my God, Mr. Sterling and his wife have been together since college and are still so sweet. It really makes people envious. Any secrets to maintaining love?" "The secret is to treat her as the only light in your life. If I could give her my life, how could I bear to let her suffer even a little?" Hearing this deeply romantic confession, I leaned back on the sofa, my lips curling into a faint sneer. Yes, everyone thought Ethan loved me. When I got sick in college, he carried me to the hospital in pouring rain and ended up with pneumonia from getting soaked. During the hardest times of his startup, he ate expired bread for a month just to buy me that necklace I'd glanced at. In five years of marriage, he never spoke to other women, and all his assets were in my name. Even I once firmly believed that Ethan would never betray me. Until half a month ago, when I received my late-stage stomach cancer diagnosis. Holding the report, I went to Ethan's company, wanting to see him, wanting to cry in his arms. But in the dim underground parking garage, I saw him pinning the new intern Sophia against the car door, the two of them kissing intensely. In that moment, my world collapsed. No questioning, no hysteria. I just quietly turned around, tore that diagnosis into pieces, and threw it in the trash. Since his heart was already gone, he didn't need to know about my condition. I didn't want to spend the last moments of my life fighting over a man whose heart had changed like some pathetic woman. So I calmly contacted the Swiss organization and set my own death date. The door opened. Ethan came in covered in snow. Seeing me on the sofa, he didn't even take off his shoes, quickly walking over and pulling me into his arms with concern. "Why aren't you lying in bed? The living room is so cold. What if you catch a cold?" He scolded while covering my cold hands with his warm ones, his eyes full of anxiety. I didn't struggle, letting him hold me. But the moment he got close, I smelled the faint rose perfume on him. That was Sophia's favorite scent. My gaze dropped, and I clearly saw a lipstick mark on the inside collar of Ethan's black coat. My heart felt like it was being stabbed by needles, the pain stopping my breath. Ethan noticed my gaze and looked down, his expression freezing for a moment. But he reacted quickly, explaining without changing expression. "I had a business dinner today. The private room was crowded, probably accidentally brushed against someone. I'll go shower and change right away so it doesn't bother you." Lying without even blinking. I looked at this familiar face and suddenly found it incredibly strange. "It's fine." My tone was calm. "Go shower." Ethan paused, seemingly not expecting me to be so calm. After all, in the past, though I wouldn't make a scene, I would always be a little angry and need him to coax me for a long time. "Evelyn, you're not mad, are you? I swear, I didn't even look at another woman." He carefully leaned in, wanting to kiss my forehead. I turned my head away, dodging him. "I'm a bit tired. I want to sleep now." Ethan just thought I wasn't feeling well and touched my hair tenderly. "Okay, you sleep first. I'll come keep you company after I shower." Listening to the sound of water from the bathroom, I closed my eyes and mentally crossed off another day. Ethan, you don't need to act anymore. After all, I only have fourteen days left.
Evelyn POV The next morning, I woke to the aroma coming from the kitchen. I walked out of the bedroom and saw Ethan wearing an apron, busy in the kitchen. "You're up?" Ethan heard movement and turned to smile at me. "Go wash up. I made your favorite foie gras today." I watched him skillfully cooking the foie gras, his movements meticulous. Suddenly, he accidentally cut his finger with the knife, and blood seeped out. I instinctively stepped forward, wanting to get a bandage, but my steps halted. If it were before, I would have been panicking. But now, I just found it ironic. These hands. Had they also caressed another woman the same way last night? Ethan saw I didn't move and looked a bit surprised. He grabbed a tissue and pressed it to the wound himself, then brought the foie gras to the table. "Try it quickly. Today's foie gras is delicious." I had just picked up my utensils when the doorbell suddenly rang. Ethan frowned and went to open the door. Outside stood Sophia with red, swollen eyes. "Ethan," Sophia's voice was tearful from the start, "the pipes burst in my rental. The place is uninhabitable now. I don't know anyone in this city, so I could only come find you." Ethan instinctively glanced at me, his tone somewhat stiff. "My wife doesn't like strangers in the house. I'll have my assistant book you a hotel." "But I'm scared to stay in a hotel alone..." Sophia's tears dripped down. She stepped forward and grabbed Ethan's sleeve. "Ethan, I'll just stay a few days. I absolutely won't disturb you two, okay?" I sat at the dining table, coldly watching this performance. Sophia was a student from a poor background that Ethan had sponsored. After graduation, she went straight to his company. Before, Ethan always said this girl had it tough, he'd help where he could. And now the two of them were in bed together. Ethan watched Sophia cry, sighed, and turned to look at me, his tone consulting. "Evelyn, she's a young woman, it really isn't safe. How about we let her stay in the guest room for a few days?" I took a sip of milk, not even lifting my head. "Whatever you want. It's your house." Ethan fell silent. He might have noticed something unusual about me today, but he still let Sophia in. As soon as Sophia entered, she sat at the dining table as naturally as the owner, staring at the foie gras with shining eyes. "Wow, Ethan, you can cook! This foie gras looks so delicious." As she spoke, she directly picked up utensils and took the foie gras Ethan had specially made for me, taking a bite. "So good!" My hand holding the utensils paused. Ethan's expression changed slightly as he lightly scolded. "Sophia, that was for Evelyn. If you want some, there's more in the kitchen. Get it yourself." Though it was a reprimand, his tone carried an unmistakable indulgence. Sophia stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sorry, I was too hungry. You won't hold it against me, right?" I put down my utensils and wiped my mouth with a napkin. "If you like it, eat more. I'm not hungry anymore." With that, I got up and walked toward the backyard. The backyard had a huge glass greenhouse that Ethan had spent tens of millions building for me. It was filled with my favorite bellflowers, blooming year-round. I walked into the greenhouse and skillfully opened the surveillance computer in the corner. This computer was connected to the dashcam in Ethan's car, originally installed for convenient vehicle monitoring. Ethan had always known about it. I clicked on last night's footage. The image was somewhat dark, but the sound was piercingly clear. In the cramped back seat, two people were tightly entangled. Sophia's coquettish moans and Ethan's heavy breathing intertwined. "Ethan, if you treat me like this, Evelyn will be heartbroken..." Sophia said. Ethan's movements suddenly intensified, his voice hoarse. "Don't mention her. Evelyn's health is poor, I don't dare touch her. Only you can satisfy me. Sophia, you're such a temptress." "Between her and me, who do you love more?" "She's a responsibility I can't shirk, but you're my life." I stared at the screen, my nails digging deep into my palms, drawing blood without me even noticing. Responsibility. So these ten years of feelings, in his eyes, had been reduced to nothing but a responsibility he couldn't shirk.
Evelyn POV "Evelyn." Familiar footsteps suddenly came from behind. I quickly closed the computer screen and stood up. Ethan walked over, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist from behind, his chin resting in the crook of my neck, gently nuzzling. "Why did you run off here alone? You didn't even eat breakfast. Your stomach will hurt again." His voice was so tender it could drip water. I felt his chest pressed against my back, but all I could think of was the video of him and Sophia having sex. A strong wave of physiological nausea surged up. I suddenly pushed Ethan away, covering my mouth and dry heaving. Ethan was pushed back two steps, his expression instantly changing as he rushed forward to support me. "What's wrong? Is it your stomach again? Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital!" The anxiety and panic in his eyes weren't fake. Even his hands were trembling slightly. If I hadn't heard him say that phrase "responsibility I can't shirk" with my own ears, I really would have thought he loved me to his bones. The late-stage cancer pain attacked without warning at this moment. It felt like countless rusty knives were wildly churning in my stomach. The pain made my legs go weak instantly, and I collapsed to the ground. Cold sweat dripped down in large drops. I couldn't even speak a complete sentence. "Evelyn! Evelyn, don't scare me!" Ethan completely panicked. He scooped me up in his arms, his voice carrying desperate sobs. "It's okay, I'm taking you to the hospital right now. Hang on!" Just then, Sophia walked out of the villa. She wore my silk robe, the neckline open wide, deliberately showing the glaring red marks on her collarbone. Seeing Ethan rushing out carrying me, Sophia put on a worried expression and came forward. "Ethan, what happened to Evelyn? Do you need my help?" Ethan only had eyes for me right now. He didn't even look at her, roaring. "Get out of the way! Don't block the road!" Sophia was startled by his yelling, a flash of viciousness in her eyes, but she still obediently moved aside. I leaned in Ethan's arms, enduring the severe pain, looking at the hickeys on Sophia's neck, my lips curling into a weak yet sarcastic smile. At the hospital, the doctor gave me a painkiller injection. Because I'd signed a confidentiality agreement with the doctor beforehand, he only told Ethan it was ordinary gastric spasms and prescribed some medicine. The hospital room fell quiet. Ethan sat by the bed, tightly holding my hand, his eyes red. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. I didn't take good care of you. I'll never make you angry again. Whatever you want, I'll give you." He lowered his head and kissed the back of my hand, his voice choked up. "When you're feeling better, let's go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, okay? You've always wanted to go, right? I've pushed all my work for the second half of the year just to be with you." He painted a beautiful future, trying to comfort me with these promises. I quietly looked at Ethan, my eyes hollow without a trace of emotion. "Ethan." I spoke softly, my voice hoarse. "I'm here, I'm here." Ethan quickly responded. "Do you really love me?" Ethan's whole body shook. He looked up, his eyes firm beyond doubt. "Evelyn, you are my life. Without you, I can't live." I closed my eyes, and a tear slid from the corner, disappearing into the pillow. Such beautiful words. But why is your life currently wearing my robe, waiting for you at our home? I didn't expose him. Since I'm leaving anyway, I'll leave cleanly. No need to dredge up these things. "I'm tired. I want to sleep." I turned over, my back to him. Ethan tucked in the blanket for me, saying softly. "Okay, I'll watch over you. I'm not going anywhere." I silently counted down in my heart. Thirteen more days. Ethan, in thirteen days, you'll be completely free.
Evelyn POV The second day after being discharged, I made an excuse about meeting friends and went alone to a law firm. I signed donation agreements for all the properties, cars, and company shares Ethan had transferred to me after marriage. The recipient was a charity organization specifically for rescuing critically ill orphans. "Ms. Hart, are you certain you want to donate everything? This is an incalculable fortune." The lawyer looked at the documents, repeatedly confirming in shock. "I'm certain." I signed the last character without a moment's hesitation. "It takes effect in fifteen days. During this time, please keep this absolutely confidential from my husband." After handling everything, I walked out of the law firm building and stepped into an old elevator. The elevator descended halfway when there was a loud "clang," and it suddenly stopped mid-air. Then the lights in the car flickered twice and went completely out. Everything plunged into deathly darkness. I have severe claustrophobia. When I was ten, I was kidnapped and locked in an abandoned basement for three days and nights. Since then, I couldn't stand darkness. Ethan knew about this condition. For these ten years, he never let me stay alone in the dark. Even during power outages, he would rush over immediately to hold me tight. But now, darkness surged like a tide, instantly drowning me. I trembled all over, breathing rapidly, cold sweat instantly soaking through my clothes. I pressed the emergency call button, but there was no response. The intense sense of dying left my mind completely blank. With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone and instinctively dialed that familiar number. The phone rang for a long time before being answered. "Hello, Ethan..." I grasped at it like the last thread of hope, my voice trembling uncontrollably. "Evelyn?" On the other end came Sophia's voice. All the blood in my body instantly froze. "Ethan's in the shower. Do you have something urgent? Should I have him call you back later?" Sophia's tone carried unconcealed provocation and pride. In the darkness, I gasped for breath, my throat feeling stuffed with cotton, unable to make a sound. "Oh my, Ethan, hurry up in there. I can't wait anymore~" Sophia's deliberately amplified coquettish voice came through the phone, followed by the sound of the bathroom door opening. I closed my eyes in despair, my hand loosening as the phone fell heavily to the ground. The screen shattered, the call disconnected. I curled up in the corner of the elevator, arms wrapped tightly around my knees, consciousness gradually fading. Ethan, I'm not afraid of the dark anymore. Because my world. You already destroyed it with your own hands, leaving not a trace of light. When I woke again, I was already on a hospital bed. I'd been rescued by building security who forcibly pried open the elevator doors. I opened my eyes. The hospital room was empty except for a nurse changing my IV. "You're awake? Do you know how long you were unconscious? You almost died!" the nurse said worriedly. I stared blankly at the ceiling, not speaking. It wasn't until three hours later that the door was suddenly pushed open. Ethan rushed in breathlessly, his tie askew, covered in sweat. "Evelyn! I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm late!" He rushed to the bedside, hugging me tightly, his voice trembling. "There was an emergency meeting at the company. I left my phone in the office. When I finished the meeting and saw the hospital's call, I was scared to death." I let him hold me, my gaze passing over his shoulder to land on his white shirt collar. There was an extremely obvious lipstick mark that hadn't been wiped clean. The exact same color lipstick Sophia wore today. I looked at that red mark and suddenly laughed. Laughed until tears came out. "Evelyn, don't scare me. Does something still hurt?" Ethan was thrown into panic by my laughter, cupping my face and asking anxiously. I gently pushed his hand away, my tone so calm it was devoid of emotion. "Ethan, I'm not afraid of the dark anymore." Ethan froze, a flash of panic in his eyes. "Evelyn, what are you talking about?" I closed my eyes and turned my head away, no longer looking at him. Ten more days. Endure ten more days, and I can be completely free.
Evelyn POV The day I was discharged, New York welcomed its first snow of the year. Snowflakes fell heavily, quickly blanketing the entire city. Ethan had once sworn to me that every year's first snow, he would walk with me down that long sycamore boulevard in our neighborhood. "Because I want to be with you always, until we grow old." That's what he'd said. I stood at the starting point of the sycamore boulevard, snow covering my body. I took out my phone, looking at the text Ethan had sent half an hour ago. "Evelyn, got held up with something at the company, and there's traffic. Wait for me there like a good girl. I'll be right there." I didn't reply, just stood quietly in the snow. Cold wind wrapped snowflakes into my collar. My stomach cramped in waves, but I seemed unable to feel the cold, standing motionless. One hour passed. Two hours passed. The sky gradually darkened, and streetlights lit up one by one. Just when I thought he wouldn't come, two familiar figures appeared at the end of the sycamore boulevard. Ethan was giving Sophia a piggyback ride, stepping through the snow, walking toward this direction step by step. Sophia wore Ethan's oversized down jacket, her whole body draped over his back, laughing exuberantly. "Ethan, carrying me like this feels like you're carrying the whole world!" Sophia laughed, reaching out to catch falling snowflakes. Ethan laughed and bounced the person on his back, his voice clearly floating to my ears on the wind. "You're way heavier than the whole world. Like a little pig." "Hey! You're the pig!" Sophia laughed and went to pinch his ear. The two looked so intimate. I stood behind a thick sycamore tree, coldly watching them walk past me. In the snowy sky, they really did look like a real couple. And I was like a ghost that couldn't see light, hiding in a dark corner, watching my husband perform devotion with another woman. The severe pain in my stomach surged again. I bit my lip hard, tasting intense blood. I didn't rush out to expose their affair, didn't cry or make a scene. I just stood quietly until those two figures completely disappeared from view, then turned and slowly walked back to that cold home. At ten o'clock that night, Ethan finally came home covered in snow. Seeing me sitting on the sofa, he walked over with a face full of guilt, half-kneeling in front of me, holding my ice-cold hands. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. The car broke down halfway, and I waited forever for a tow truck." As he spoke, he warmed my hands. "I couldn't give you a piggyback ride down the sycamore boulevard today. Are you mad at me?" He acted so convincingly. If I hadn't witnessed that scene with my own eyes, I would have believed him without hesitation. I looked at this face written with "deep affection" and suddenly felt it was all so pointless. Really, utterly pointless. I withdrew my hand, my lips curling into a faint smile. "I'm not mad. Since the car broke down, we'll make up for it next year." Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, pulling me into his arms like a weight had been lifted. "You're so wonderful, darling. I promise, next year's first snow, I'll definitely carry you the whole way!" I leaned on his shoulder, eyes hollow as I watched the snow falling outside the window. There won't be a next year, Ethan. Next year's first snow, we won't see each other again. I mentally crossed off another day. Seven more days.
Evelyn POV Three days until the flight departed. I started clearing out my things. Those limited edition bags Ethan gave me, the haute couture dresses, expensive jewelry. I kept nothing, listing everything at low prices on secondhand sites. What didn't sell, I packed up and threw directly into the dumpster outside the neighborhood. The entire walk-in closet emptied by more than half. When Ethan came home that evening, he saw the empty cabinets. "Evelyn, where are all your clothes and bags? Why are they all gone?" he asked nervously. I was organizing the desk, not even looking up. "Got tired of them. Want to try a new style." Hearing this, Ethan visibly relaxed. "Change them! Tomorrow I'll have the brands send over all the new season items for you to pick from!" He hugged me from behind, pulling out a thick document from his briefcase and placing it in front of me. "Evelyn, look what this is?" I took the document. The cover prominently read: "Evelyn Foundation." "This is a charity foundation I specifically established in your name." Ethan's tone was full of pride seeking praise. "Every year from now on, I'll invest ten million into it, specifically to fund poor college students who can't afford school. Consider it an advance wedding anniversary gift from me. Do you like it?" I opened the document. The terms were beautifully written, all about helping students and giving back to society with grand visions. But when I flipped to the hidden attachment on the last page, my gaze froze. The attachment clearly stated that under the foundation's name was a shell investment company, and the actual controlling shareholder of this company was named Sophia. This meant that the ten million Ethan invested into the foundation each year, under the guise of charity, would ultimately flow into Sophia's pocket through legal investment after being laundered. He used my name for charity to gain a good reputation, while secretly using this money to support his little mistress. Even this so-called "wedding anniversary gift" became a tool for him to pave the way for Sophia. Ethan, you've truly used calculation to its extreme. I looked at that name, my heart already numb beyond feeling pain. "What's wrong? Is something written unsatisfactorily?" Seeing me remain silent, Ethan nervously leaned over to look. I closed the document, picked up the pen from the desk, and signed my name in the beneficiary confirmation column. "No, it's written very well." I handed the document back to him, even showing a slight smile. "Thank you. I really like this gift." Ethan excitedly hugged me tight, lowering his head to plant a heavy kiss on my forehead. "As long as you like it. Evelyn, as long as you're happy, I'm willing to do anything for you." I lowered my eyes, hiding the bone-deep coldness in them. I knew that after I died, all my assets would be donated, including this foundation established in my name. Everything Ethan carefully planned for Sophia would ultimately turn to bubbles. Consider it my final "congratulatory gift" to them. I silently counted down in my heart. Three more days. I can leave him forever. I only hoped nothing would go wrong in these three days.
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