Dead to Her, Dead Inside

I suddenly remembered the time my stomach condition flared up unexpectedly. At the time, it had hurt so badly that I couldn't even walk. My life was essentially hanging by a thin thread.I was hoping Meghan could help me contact the hospital, but she refused me with a gentle yet firm voice."Julian, I'm a lawyer. I can't drop a case because of you. I have a responsibility to my clients."With that, she hung up.I had no choice but to dial 911 myself. But before the ambulance arrived, I'd passed out from the pain.I remembered the doctor saying that if I'd arrived any later, my stomach would have perforated.As it turned out, her work wasn't something she couldn't put aside. It was just that I wasn't important enough to her.I smiled wryly and forced down the bitterness in my chest.My sudden movement startled the nurses. They came over dutifully to inform me of my condition."Mr. Marshall, we were working to save you all night. You're stable for now, but we'll need to keep you

"Julian, just because Meghan can't bring herself to divorce you doesn't mean she doesn't want to. You'd better wise up and back out on your own. Meghan's belly is getting bigger by the day. Do you really want to be the father of my child? "I'll have you know that she's mine. The baby is mine too, and even your job will be mine sooner or later. As for this hospital room, whether you want to give it up or not, it's mine!" Gerald spat, his tone sharp and aggressive.I looked at the smug look on his face and sneered. Then, I raised the phone in my hand, which had been recording the whole time.His expression instantly shifted to one of panic. I stopped the recording and calmly gave him two options."Get out of my ward right now. Otherwise, I'll release this recording and expose your and Meghan's affair to the public. I can't guarantee everything, but I can promise the two of you will be utterly ruined."Gerald clearly hadn't expected me to be recording. Rage flashed across his face a

I let out a bitter laugh."Meghan, I was in the same room as Gerald that day. I saw the two of you hugging. He was calling you 'honey,' and I even heard him say that you're pregnant. You just didn't turn to look at me. You've always ignored me."Meghan's body trembled slightly, disbelief written all over her face. She seemed to suddenly understand everything. She grabbed my hand and burst into tears. "Julian, I was wrong. Please forgive me, okay? Let's return, back to our home."In the end, I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes. "No."My gaze locked onto her belly. I recalled Gerald saying that they were the real family of three.Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I suddenly felt like her belly was already slightly swollen. It was constantly reminding me that she was carrying another man's child.Meghan was still crying as I gave a wry laugh."What makes you think that I'd forgive someone who cheated and would continue living with her?""I'm sorry, Julian. I know I'v

"Stop it!" Covering her ears, Meghan broke down and shouted. However, I wasn't about to let her off that easily.I grabbed her arms and forced her to meet my gaze."I'll tell you. While you were busy being there for Gerald and caring about him, you never once thought about whether I was dead or alive! You say you love me, but you had his child behind my back!" I shouted, pouring out all the grievances and pain I'd endured because of Meghan.Once I finally calmed down, I pulled out a copy of the divorce papers I'd been carrying around and handed them to her."Let's get a divorce and part ways amicably."Her hand trembled as she took the papers. Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell onto the page, smudging the ink. However, I no longer had the mood to comfort her.…A few days later, I returned to work once my injuries had mostly healed.The moment I stepped into the office, my boss, Mark Preston, called me in. I'd assumed he was going to scold me for delaying the project. To m

Meghan held my hand tightly throughout the ambulance ride.She had been stabbed in the back and could only lie face down on the stretcher. Even breathing was difficult for her."Julian…" She suddenly called my name. Her voice was barely a whisper, her face stripped of all color. "I really regret everything. I've wronged you far too much… This stab is my punishment."Every word she spoke pulled at her wound. Sweat dripped from her forehead as the pain worsened. I gently wiped it away with a tissue."It's not your fault. I willingly went along with it."It was true. Back then, even if I had known about her and Gerald, I probably still would have been willing to treat her well.Tonight, the police needed my statement on the incident. I went to the station alone since Meghan fell into a deep sleep right after the surgery."The suspect wants to see you," the officer said as I was about to leave.After thinking it over, I agreed to meet him. After all, we'd once been colleagues."