Chapter 3

A crowd gathered around and lifted me up.

I gasped for air, but it still felt like I was suffocating, just like in my past life.

My head throbbed as if it would explode, and the pain made me cry despite myself.

I had been given a second chance at life, yet I hadn't even been able to see my parents' faces. And now, it felt like I was about to die again.

Dazed and delirious, memories of the past flooded my mind.

Jasper and I had met through an arranged marriage. We found each other acceptable and got married.

I had never been in love before, but he was capable, handsome, and somehow, without me realizing, I had fallen for him.

After marriage, he was often busy with work and somewhat distant.

I didn't mind.

He had a sensitive stomach, so I researched nutrition and recipes, always squeezing in time to prepare his meals three times a day.

He said he was still young and didn't want children. I feared our families would blame him, so I shouldered the remarks myself.

He had obsessive tendencies and hated strangers entering the house. No matter how late I returned from work, I dragged my tired body to wash, iron, and tidy up the house for him.

By our fifth year of marriage, Jasper's attitude toward me had softened considerably, and he even mentioned wanting a child.

I thought I had finally melted his heart, and that our happiness would only grow from there.

But that same year, Ruby returned to work at the private hospital run by Jasper's family.

She added my contact, saying she was Jasper's ex-girlfriend. She claimed they had once been very close, but that it was all in the past. She'd urged me not to overthink it.

Yet she kept reaching out, recounting their shared history.

"Jasper's pretty good at peeling seafood, isn't he? When he first peeled for me, he'd always cut his fingers.

"I have a sensitive stomach, so I can't eat outside food. He even got a chef's certificate just for me. You have a husband who can cook—don't eat too much. Otherwise, at your age, and heavier than me, watch out he falls for me instead… Haha, just joking.

"Oh, do you get cramps during your period? I get terrible ones, and Jasper always massages me. He must have massaged you too, right?"

I had thought Jasper's coldness toward me was just his nature.

But after reading Ruby's messages, I realized he could go to such lengths for someone he truly loved.

I tried to tell myself it was all in the past.

Yet after Ruby appeared, when she was sick, he stayed by her side. When she traveled, he accompanied her. On her birthdays, he meticulously prepared gifts and celebrations.

I had never seen him show such care for anyone else.

I spent nights unable to sleep, plagued with suspicion, torn between wanting a divorce and being unable to let go.

I argued, fought, and tried to drag him back into our marriage.

But he grew increasingly resentful of me.

…

I jolted awake from a nightmare, realizing I had been rescued and admitted to the ICU.

Families of other patients came and went, but my parents were nowhere to be seen. They were out of town and didn't even know I was hospitalized.

As for Jasper, he was with Ruby. He didn't have time for me.

After surviving the critical first two days, I was moved to a regular ward. Only then did Jasper find time to see me.

I had nearly died, and yet he offered no concern—only blame.

"Out of jealousy, you actually drank pesticide. You're really reckless!"

Before, such words would have hurt me deeply. Now, I only found him infuriatingly unreasonable.

Through gritted teeth, I snapped, "I've told you more than once! It was your vengeful patient who poisoned me! Have you completely forgotten?"

Jasper glared with disgust.

"Even now, you're still lying! You've survived the danger, so get out of my hospital. People like you are bad luck!"

I wanted to hit him.

"Jasper, I suffered this much because of you. How can you treat me like this? Don't you have a conscience?"

"Keep making up stories!" He reached for me.

But before he could touch me, two police officers walked in.

"Dr. Flint, we just apprehended the criminal who tried to kill your wife. He admitted he was your patient, and due to a conflict with you, he targeted your wife, Maisie. Now, we need you and Maisie to cooperate with us in making a statement."

Jasper froze, stunned, his face a mask of shock as he looked at me.