Chapter 1

Amara’s POV

Since my days at the orphanage, I believed success was simple: study hard, graduate as the best student, marry the man I love, and live happily ever after.

That belief has landed me in the hospital.

And now, I’m at the brink of losing my life.

All because of my stupid life strategy of marrying my high school sweetheart, Damian.

“Miss Amara, it’s time for your chemotherapy treatment,” the nurse’s voice called, bringing me back to reality.

I slowly got up from my bed. My body felt heavier than usual, like every step I took carried a weight I couldn’t explain. The hospital gown hung loosely on me, almost like it didn’t belong to my body anymore.

I walked toward the chemo room, dragging my feet.

As I passed a mirror, I stopped.

I don’t even know why I stopped. Maybe I wanted to confirm it again that the person staring back at me was really me.

I wasn’t that fleshy before, but I had a good figure. I used to look alive and healthy.

Now, I look like a ghost, like a living dead person.

My cheeks were hollow, my eyes sunken deep into my face, and my skin had lost every trace of life. Even my lips looked dry and cracked.

I raised my hand slowly and touched my face. It felt cold and lifeless.

I slowly shook my head.

This cancer might actually be the end of me after all.

If I had another chance, I wouldn’t live like this again. I wouldn’t make the same choices, and I wouldn’t love the same people.

After my chemo treatment, I returned to my ward. My head felt light, and my body weak. It always felt like something inside me was being drained after every session.

I reached for my phone. The screen felt heavier than usual in my hands.

I dialed Lily’s number.

Once.

Twice.

There was no answer.

It’s been weeks since she last visited. At least, I thought I had someone that still cared about me.

I stared at the phone for a few seconds, hoping it would ring back, but nothing happened.

I sighed softly.

“Maybe she’s busy… maybe something came up, or maybe…” I trailed off, not wanting to finish that thought.

I got up from the bed and walked slowly toward the window. The city stretched out below me, busy as always. Cars moved, people walked, and life continued.

It felt strange how the world keeps moving even when yours is falling apart.

Memories slowly filled my mind.

My high school days…

The first time I saw Damian…

How he smiled at me like I was the only person in the world.

How we used to talk for hours, and how I fell in love with him.

How I believed he was my forever.

Then our wedding day…

I remember how happy I was and how I thought I had finally achieved everything I ever wanted.

And then reality hit me like a hard rock.

His mother’s cold stares and her harsh words…

The way she treated me like I wasn’t good enough.

And Damian… he changed.

Slowly at first, then completely.

My head suddenly began to spin.

I quickly held onto the edge of the bed and took a sip of water before lying back down and staring at the ceiling.

I couldn’t help but remember what the doctor had told me earlier that day.

“Miss Amara, I know it’s hard for you, but it’s also hard for us too. It’s been weeks and you haven’t paid your hospital bills. I know you’ve been here the longest, but if you don’t comply within this week, we won’t have any option other than to send you home.”

Home.

I almost laughed.

What home?

I tried Lily’s number again, but there was still no response.

It’s already Thursday.

“Where am I supposed to get the money from?” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible.

“All my savings, everything I worked for, is gone.”

Tears slowly gathered in my eyes.

“Damian and his mother used everything, and now…” I swallowed hard. “Now I’m alone.”

I kept dialing Lily’s number again and again, but there was still no response.

I tried calling Damian too, even though I didn’t want to and even though I knew what the outcome would be.

He didn’t answer.

He never does.

Ever since I got admitted here, I haven’t been able to reach him not once.

The week passed faster than I expected.

Before I knew it, it was already Saturday, and I found myself standing outside the hospital with the same small bag I came in with three months ago.

I had no money, no support, and no one.

I held onto the bag tightly and stepped onto the road. A taxi stopped in front of me, and I got in quietly.

The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror. There was something in his eyes sadness but it disappeared quickly.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”

The ride was silent.

I leaned my head against the window, watching the world pass by. Everything felt distant, like I didn’t belong to this world anymore.

When we got to my house, I reached into my bag to pay him, but he stopped me.

“It’s fine,” he said.

Then he placed a coin in my hand.

I frowned. “What’s this for?”

He smiled gently. “Keep it,” he said softly. “You might need it… where you’re going.”

I stared at him.

For a split second, he looked like my father the one I lost years ago.

My chest tightened.

But I quickly shook off the feeling. That couldn’t be possible.

Without saying anything else, I stepped out of the car and walked toward the house.

“Oh my God, you’re the best… ohhhh sweet Damian!”

I froze.

My heart skipped.

Those voices… they were coming from my room.

I slowly walked closer, and each step felt heavier than the last.

Then I heard it clearly.

“Harder, baby… don’t stop…”

My breath got stuck in my throat.

That voice… it was Lily.

My hands began to tremble, and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.

Slowly, I pushed the door open.

And everything shattered.

There they were, on my bed my husband and my best friend.

My body went numb. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think. I just stood there, staring at them.

Then suddenly, I turned and ran.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just needed to get away.

“Honey, I can explain!” Damian’s voice came from behind me.

I stopped in the living room and turned to face them. My chest rose and fell rapidly.

“Tell me I’m dreaming,” I said, my voice shaking. “Lily, I loved you like my own sister. I took care of you, and I trusted you.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Is this how you repay me?”

My voice broke.

“It would have been better if my husband cheated with any other woman, but you?” I shook my head slowly. “My own sister?”

Lily scoffed.

“Ooh please, I’m not your sister,” she said coldly. “And you really thought he loved you?”

She laughed.

“You were just convenient.”

My heart dropped.

“I loved Damian first. You took him from me. And now that you’re dying…” she smirked, “I’ll take back what’s mine.”

Before I could stop myself, I slapped her.

“I didn’t know I was harboring a snake!” I shouted. “So all those things you wore… they came from my husband?”

Then I turned to Damian.

“You couldn’t even help me?” I cried. “Not even for my treatment, after everything I did for you and your mother?”

My voice trembled.

“This sickness is because of both of you.”

Before I could say anything else, Lily slapped me back and pushed me.

Everything happened too fast, and I lost my balance.

Then

My head slammed against the glass table.

Pain exploded through my head, and warm blood flowed down my face.

My vision blurred, but I could still hear Damian’s voice.

“Lily! Call 911! She’s dying!”

But Lily…

Her voice was cold.

“Just let her die. We’ll say it was an accident, or that she killed herself because of her cancer.”

Tears slipped from my eyes.

Even now, they still wanted to use me.

My vision grew darker.

Memories flashed through my mind the orphanage, my dreams, my love, and my sacrifices.

If I could start over, I wouldn’t love you.

Everything faded.

And I took my last breath.