Chapter 3

The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous I found it. I snorted in response. “Since Joe’s going to die soon and he can’t live without you, why don’t you just marry him? Maybe it’ll bring him some good luck.”

“Benjamin!”

Winnie’s expression darkened as she yelled, “Joe is sick! How could you accuse us of something like that?!”

“Accuse you? You transformed our new house into a rehabilitation center and spent so many nights with him. You spent all my money on him too. How dare you claim that I’m accusing you?”

I sneered as I saw her expression turn ashen. In the end, she still shouted in anger, “You’re insane! Joe was right. You’re not worthy to be my husband!”

After that, she hurried off and slammed the door in my face.

“Think about what you just said! Don’t think about leaving before you apologize!”

When it was close to midnight, I suddenly felt pain in my stomach.

I struggled to find my medication. However, I recalled that Winnie had stopped my gastric medication supply last month to save money for Joe’s treatment.

Before she left, she had tightened security as well. So, I could not leave, and no one else could enter.

Even if I asked my father to transfer money for medication, I would not be able to receive it.

I gritted my teeth as I decided to give Winnie a call.

We were in love before, so I believed she would not be cruel enough to refuse helping me.

However, I did not expect Joe to answer the call.

“Winnie’s accompanying me for my doctor’s visit. What’s up?” he said casually.

I was taken aback. Before I could say anything, I heard Winnie’s anxious voice. “Joe, are you still in pain?”

He immediately sounded weak.

“Yes… Winnie, Benjamin’s looking for you…

“You should go back. I’m fine on my own. I can’t keep being a burden to you…”

Winnie was still worried. “You can’t even stand upright from the pain. How can I leave you here alone?”

I heard some muffling sounds before Winnie answered the call, “Benjamin, weren’t you so smug during the day? Why are you calling me after just a few hours?

“I’m telling you: don’t bother me. If anything happens to Joe because of you, I’ll never marry you!”

She ended the call in fury, and the pain in my stomach overwhelmed me.

I touched my forehead and realized that I was having a high fever.

As I slipped in and out of consciousness, I seemed to hear Winnie’s voice from three years ago at the Smith family home.

“Benjamin’s the only one I’ll marry! I’ll be damned forever if it’s anyone else!”

I did not know how much time had passed before the butler found me. He immediately sent me to the hospital.

The butler made a phone call on the way there, and Winnie answered it impatiently. After instructing him to get me to drink more water, she hung up on him.

When I opened my eyes, I heard the doctor telling someone they had a mild cold. The patient was in the bed next to mine.

The curtains were drawn open, and I saw Winnie holding Joe’s hand. She had her back toward me and seemed extremely worried.

“How are you feeling? Are you thirsty or hungry?”

Joe stared lovingly at her as he shook his head. “Winnie, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“You’re having a cold! How could I not be worried?”

After that, she stood up to pour him some water. Then, she cut some fruit and fed it to him.

She only remembered I was there after over an hour, and she frowned.

“I told you I’d forgive you if you’re willing to apologize.

“You’re pretending to be sick to force me home?”

I was dumbfounded. I only got diagnosed with gastritis because the Smith family had overworked me. I had pulled many all-nighters for their projects.

I caught a fever because I had chronic fatigue. She thought that I was feigning my illness?

Unfortunately, when I opened my mouth, my throat felt extremely parched. I struggled to get myself some water.

“Water…”

Before I could say it out loud, Joe started coughing violently.

Winnie immediately passed him all the water. From her peripheral vision, she recognized that I was also looking for water. “You’re an adult. Why are you trying to snatch Joe’s water when he’s ill?” she said impatiently.

My hand froze midair, and I did not miss the cocky glance from Joe.

He had won again.

My throat hurt, and I said in a hoarse voice, “Winnie, I’m a patient too.”

She grew more impatient and waved the butler over.

“Send him back. Don’t waste money on this.

“He keeps failing his test. My parents aren’t giving me a single cent right now. I can’t afford to pay his medical bills!”