was known throughout Brightville as the hopeless romantic, devoted to my wife, Valerie Lindberg, if she were my very life. But to her, our marriage was nothing than a she desperately wanted to escape. We were locked in this struggle for a full decade. I humbled myself completely, just to hold on to the title of her husband. However, she did everything she could break free, cycling through one lover after another–even bringing into our bed to indulge wild pleasures. I thought we’d torturing each other like for the rest our lives. told me I had late–stage brain cancer. Holding that diagnosis in my hands, I on everything I’d been and nothing but exhaustion. Thus, I made my decision–I’d divorce Valerie and enjoy the months I left. sitting alone in hospital corridor for felt like hours, I finally put away the of that me to countdown on my life. Reluctantly, I dragged myself back to the villa. To my surprise, was home. A’s I listened to the sounds coming from bedroom, heart twisted in familiar sharp pain it countless before. But this time, it quickly faded, leaving a bitter smile on my lips. Chapter 1 “Maybe is for best. At least I have searching her. ” After a hesitation, I knocked on the door. past, I never would’ve disturbed her at a time like this. She had a fiery temper, especially when was interrupted. And if her was cut short, she’d fly into a rage, smashing all the antiques I gathered, just vent her anger. I to feel the sting of my wasted efforts, hating myself even more for not being able to satisfy her bed. As such, matter how much felt like it was no how my hands became from pounding the I never once interrupted her. But now, I going to waste another second. didn’t know how long I’d been knocking before I finally heard those familiar inside. The door open, and there Valerie, disarray, light sheen of sweat on her forehead, and an unnatural still coloring her cheeks. first that escaped her lips were, “What’s the matter? Couldn’t eavesdropping anymore? Want me to help you get laid?” blocked the doorway with her slender frame. Her knitted tightly and her eyes were filled with nothing but disgust. “Valerie, I to you. ” I’d a long time that she didn’t me, moment her gaze pierced me with that unmistakable disdain, it felt like knife had -been driven straight into my heart. The pain made my catch in my throat, tone was more than ever. She hissed, “It had be something urgent!” Perhaps it the my eyes, Valerie finally her robe tighter throwing one dagger of a way as she walked past. eventually mustered courage say to her, “Let’s get a divorce. already prepared papers. All you to do is them. ” Watching Valerie sit on the couch, I forced myself to swallow the bitterness and handed her the papers. didn’t even them, scowling deeper impatience. “It’s been and this is the you’ve got? Don’t you find this little act boring, Jeffrey?” “I’m serious this time. already signed them. You give them to your lawyer and make it official right I said calmly, ignoring the contempt and hatred in her eyes. Valerie glanced at me, as if trying to gauge whether I telling the truth. After what felt eternity, she reached out the papers at last. “What’s this? You’re giving up the house, the savings, the shares? You want anything?” She through the pages and frowned at me in disbelief. replied, “Yeah, they’re just material things. They’re of no use me now. the I’d up a little money–not much, but enough to live worry–free for the next three months. With my long gone and no family left, there was nothing back. I didn’t want a penny from her; just wanted a clean break. instead signing the papers I expected, Valerie threw them down in irritation. “Who do you think fooling? to play the by with nothing, everyone will fingers at me? you want a divorce, fine, but the lawyer draft a new agreement. “The villa yours, pick sports car you want, I’ll throw another million dollars. going to make me like the here. ” She shot a look and stormed off. I wanted call after her, but my head suddenly throbbed with such intensity that the world spun around me. “Are you trying to fake being sick again to sympathy? Jeffrey, even if you died right I wouldn’t spare you a second glance. ” Just before I lost consciousness, her voice echoed in my ears, cold and full of contempt as ever–but this time faint of panic. When to, I found myself lying in hospital bed. Sensing someone nearby, I looked instinctively, but Valerie wasn’t there. Instead, Andrew in a chair, clumsily peeling an apple. Andrew joined the company three ago. Back then, he was over 20 years of age, the prime of his youth. a that looked as harmless a puppy’s, a six–foot frame, and a body with muscle playing up that irresistible contrast. He quickly amassed legion adoring fans and caught eye as well. She him not just with cars and villas, the best opportunities the industry to offer. She even gave him company shares and made an exception to let him board meetings. Valerie devoted free moment she had to him. They were indulging in their desires wherever they pleased–at company, hotels, even in the villa once leaving their mark everywhere. Emboldened Valerie’s affection, Andrew transformed from an innocent man into an ambitious who treated me with blatant disrespect. He leaked information to the suggesting that soon replace me as the of Brightville’s richest woman, with every intention of taking over my place in her life. During his in the spotlight, Valerie mentioned divorce almost daily, Chapter 1 even openly to media that planned to marry Andrew. I clung to our marriage and refused to let go, only prolonged their frustration. Because of that, Andrew saw me as a thorn his side, the one obstacle standing in his way. “Jeffrey, you’re awake. Are you feeling better? wait, I forgot. You’re in the late stages of brain cancer. no getting better for now. ” Andrew paused his movements he noticed I had woken up. He feigned concern while his voice, only enough for us hear, dripped with mockery. The satisfaction in his eyes was evident. I didn’t have the strength or desire to argue with him, I slowly closed my eyes. Then, out nowhere, I a set of familiar footsteps approaching the door. came to me in the hospital? Could it be that she found out about my and was regret, even a bit of pity? The sudden of hope that over me drowned out the in my heart. I eyes open, only to be met same icy expression. “It’s just a cold fever, you are acting like you’re on your deathbed. Didn’t you want a “Well then, sign the papers, pack your things, get out of my sight so I don’t have to look at your face again!” Valerie shot me a glare full disdain her words of contempt. It was as though she were something unworthy of being acknowledged as human. “Valerie, don’t be mad. just too in love with you. He wants you by his so badly that he’s pretending be sick. It’s pretty sad, actually. ” Andrew stood up and draped his arm around to be understanding falsely explaining my behalf. deliberately touched her sensitive nerve. Ever since Valerie revived the family with support my family, she had come to despise anyone mentioning so–called devotion to her. exactly what he was doing, to fire. As expected, Valerie exploded in anger. Abandoning her polished socialite facade, she let out a harsh, cold laugh directed at me. “Love me? not even worthy of that! Sign the papers now, take the disappear from life. If not, blame me next!” With that, grabbed her handbag and stormed out. Andrew quickly followed, but not before casting one last mocking glance at me, silently mouthing, “Die, loser.