Chapter 2

My parents were fully supportive of my decision.

After having a thorough discussion, I saw them off at the airport. And when I returned home, Andrew still hadn't come back.

My stomach cramps had worsened, and I opened the medical kit, only to find the painkillers were long gone.

I closed my eyes in exhaustion. I used to always keep my medicine stocked myself, but after Andrew and I got together, he started taking care of that.

He would ready all sorts of medications, bring me water, and gently coax me to take my pills. When the medicine made me drowsy, he'd gently massage my stomach.

When the pain got too much to bear, I thought about calling Andrew and reached for my phone. But in the end, I hesitated.

Remembering all those times he'd left me for Selena, I let out a quiet laugh and decided to visit the hospital on my own.

When I went to the emergency room, one of my colleagues on duty, Lucy Hart, saw me and frowned. "Aren't you supposed to be getting married today? Why are you here at this hour? Why hasn't Andrew come with you?"

I responded with a faint smile. "He's busy."

Lucy couldn't hold back from lashing out. "I don't care how busy he is, he should be here with his wife. You're in so much pain you can barely stand straight. How could he not care?"

On my way to pick up the medication, I happened to walk past Selena's hospital room and noticed Andrew sitting by the side of her bed.

The stark contrast highlighted my miserable loneliness.

Selena seemed to be having a nightmare. She grabbed Andrew's hand and murmured, "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

Andrew gently stroked her hair and comforted her. "Don't be scared. I'm right here."

My eyes welled up with tears, and my chest tightened. But I turned and walked away without a word.

After returning home and resting for a day, I started packing all my belongings.

Though I'd lived in this home for seven years, everything I had ended up fitting into a single suitcase.

Perhaps noticing I was too quiet and hadn't sent a single text for two days, Andrew finally sensed something amiss.

He suddenly called and asked in a cautious, probing voice, "Why didn't you come to work today?"

"My stomach was acting up."

"Take care of yourself, okay? Selena hasn't been able to eat anything since the allergic reaction. I'll make her some food and come home to keep you company."

Just before he hung up, I heard Selena's voice in the background. "Andrew, I'm really craving some mushroom soup. There should be ingredients in the fridge. Could you make it for me?"

Just like that, I knew Selena was discharged, and Andrew was taking care of her at her place.

As an orphan, Selena had no one to care for her. Well, I had no one taking care of me, either.

I didn't sleep a wink that night. My stomach stopped hurting, but my heart started throbbing with agony.

…

The next day, I handed in my resignation to my supervisor.

He looked at me with regret and asked, "Why are you resigning? Did you talk to Andrew about this? You gave up being a surgeon for him. Are you going to be a housewife too?"

Andrew and I joined the hospital at the same time. Our surgical skills were on par, but surgery was demanding. After we decided to get married, I requested to switch to an administrative role so I could have more time managing the household.

But now, I no longer wanted to marry Andrew.

I smiled and shook my head. "I don't have to discuss my resignation with Andrew."

Just then, the office door swung open. Andrew appeared and stared at me like I might vanish at any second.

"Ivy, why are you resigning?" he asked. "Why didn't you talk to me about it?"