6. I Deserve to Be Happy

"Vallen, just pretend you never saw any of this," I said calmly.

"Damn it, Anna, what do you mean? How am I supposed to stay quiet after seeing something this unfair? You're fighting a disease while Dylan..."

"Vallen, this is my marriage."

The firmness in my voice silenced him on the other end of the line. I could hear him exhale through the phone. I opened my mouth and continued. "You have no right to interfere."

"Oh..." His voice turned mocking. He laughed. "Fine. Forget it," he said, giving up.

Just before I ended the call, Vallen spoke again. "Then die in peace," he said sharply.

My hand clenched into a fist, crushing the fabric of my clothes.

Die? How could I die in peace while Dylan was happily living his life with Lea?

My arm fell limply to my side. My grip on the phone loosened, nearly slipping from my hand. I stared at my shoes through blurred vision.

How was I supposed to leave this world peacefully?

After wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes, I asked the driver to take me to the pharmacy. I needed to pick up the medication Vallen had prescribed. But the moment I opened the car door, Jessy shoved her way inside.

The force sent me stumbling to the ground.

"Who gave you permission to use the family car?" she asked from behind the window.

"Dylan gave me a car for transportation," I replied as I got back to my feet.

I brushed the dirt from my clothes, refusing to waver.

"I have every right to use a car in this house as long as I'm still Dylan's legal wife."

Jessy's red-painted lips curled with amusement. "Wow. Where did all this courage come from, Anna?"

I grabbed the car door and pulled it open, making her eyes widen.

"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped.

"Get out."

The shock in her eyes was unmistakable.

If I'd spent years silently enduring her mistreatment, that ended today. Enough was enough. I wasn't going to let her walk all over me anymore. I intended to spend my hundred days here doing everything I'd never dared to do before.

Including standing up to Jessy.

"Get out," I repeated firmly.

Jessy bit her lip and let out a long breath before stepping out of the car. Her hands settled on her hips.

"You're going to regret this, Anna."

With that, she turned and headed toward the garage. The sharp click of her heels echoed behind her.

I hurried into the car and sank into the seat. My heart was racing.

Oh God.

I had just done something terrifying. But instead of feeling afraid, I felt relieved.

"Let's go to the pharmacy," I said.

Without asking questions, the driver started the engine and pulled away.

When we arrived, I immediately handed over the prescription Vallen had given me. There were so many medications. Just looking at them made me nauseous.

My life truly depended on pills now.

I didn't know how much longer I could hold on.

On the way home, I stopped by a clothing store.

I paused in front of a pale blue dress and ran my fingers across the fabric. Once, I'd wanted to buy a satin dress like this. Instead, I'd spent the money on a birthday gift for Dylan. A gift that ultimately ended up in the trash.

"I'll take this one," I told the sales associate.

For once, I wanted to buy something without thinking about Dylan.

Wasn't it finally time to spoil myself?

After I finished shopping, the driver carried my purchases upstairs. What I didn't know was that Dylan had come home early. He was sitting on the sofa beside Lea, watching me with a scrutinizing gaze.

"You bought all these clothes?" Lea exclaimed.

She rose from the sofa and circled me, peering into the shopping bags.

"Anna, are you trying to get Dylan's attention now?"

I looked at her quietly. "Are you scared?"

"What?" she scoffed, stunned. "Me? Scared? Anna, do you actually think Dylan would be interested in you? He can't even stand looking at you."

"Then stop commenting."

I instructed the driver to take the bags to my room. For a moment, I glanced at Dylan, then at Lea, who stood there with her arms crossed and a sneer on her lips.

"Lea, you're not the only one who can spend Dylan's money. I can do it too."

Lea's eyes widened.

To save myself the exhaustion of arguing with her any longer, I ignored her protests and headed for the stairs.

My legs suddenly weakened. My vision blurred for several seconds. I quickly grabbed the banister and held on tightly until the dizziness passed.

Once inside my room, I stared at the pile of shopping bags on the floor with aching eyes.

I clicked my tongue. "Why am I only starting to make myself happy now? Why didn't I do it sooner?"

I sank to the floor beside the door and pulled my knees to my chest. The only thing giving me a reason to look forward to tomorrow was my request to Dylan.

Unlike the previous mornings, I woke up a little late. After getting dressed and doing my makeup, I knocked on Dylan's bedroom door. He appeared wearing only a bathrobe. I looked at him and smiled brightly.

Dylan let out a resigned sigh.

"Today's request is simple. I'm choosing your outfit."

He roughly ran a hand through his damp hair.

"Anna..."

"You can't say no," I cut in quickly. "Or do you want me to add another day?"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. The struggle in his eyes was obvious, but my threat worked. He stepped aside and opened the door wider.

For the first time, I entered this room without the intention of cleaning it or making the bed. This time, I entered because I was Dylan's wife.

My stomach fluttered as I walked into the walk-in closet. I couldn't stop smiling while I searched for clothes that would suit him.

"Hurry up. I don't want you lingering in here," Dylan muttered.

I picked out a dark gray turtleneck, black dress pants, and a matching blazer. When I turned around, Dylan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the outfit in my hands.

Without warning, he snatched the clothes from me.

I immediately looked away, but it was too late. The defined lines of his abs and broad chest had already caught my eye.

Damn.

We'd been married for three years. Why was I only noticing now how attractive my husband was?

"Enjoying the view? Are you going to keep standing there, or should I throw you out?" Dylan asked sharply.

"Right. Sorry."

I stepped out of the walk-in closet and sat on the edge of the bed without being asked. My face burned as I stared at the rumpled sheets.

What did it feel like to sleep beside Dylan? Was it warmer than the blanket in my hands?

My vision blurred as I imagined Lea spending her nights with him in this bed. A sharp ache pulsed in my chest.

The bedroom door swung open. Lea stood there in a tight outfit, glaring at me.

"What are you doing in Dylan's room?" she demanded.

I stood and walked toward her. "This is my husband's room. I have every right to be here."

Instead of answering me, Lea pushed past me and called for Dylan. He emerged wearing the outfit I had chosen. Lea's expression darkened instantly.

"Dylan! Why are you letting Anna in here?" Her eyes traveled over his clothes. "What is that outfit? Don't tell me... she picked it out for you?"

"Lea, don't make this a bigger deal than it is," Dylan said, trying to calm her. He pulled her into his arms and rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's just for today."

I stood there like a statue, watching Dylan and Lea embrace. I blinked rapidly, fighting back tears.

When Lea turned away, she rested her head on Dylan's shoulder and looked at me with a thin, triumphant smile.

Ignoring me completely, they walked past me and left the room together.

I slipped a hand into my dress pocket and pulled out the small note.

Number 2.

Choose Dylan's outfit.

The words blurred as tears splashed onto the paper. With trembling fingers, I checked the box beside it.

I should have been happy. Dylan had granted my request.

So why did it hurt this much?

Something warm trickled from my nose. I wiped at it with the back of my hand.

A nosebleed again.

"Anna?"

I froze at the voice coming from the doorway. When I looked up, I quickly covered my nose.

"Father?"