When Love Costs a Womb

"Don't worry, dear. I'll be the one to operate on you, and Dr. Levy will help out. We're known for being top-notch doctors, so we'll definitely get rid of your stomach cancer."

Even though his hand was warm, I felt a deep shiver of unease inside.

I suddenly opened my eyes and saw my husband, Jack Gray, looking at me with such care and worry.

Mabel Levy, standing next to him, seemed just as kind, but her eyes were as cold-blooded as a snake's.

I felt a rush of anger as I yanked my hand away, then slapped Jack hard across the face.

The sting from the slap made it real—I had actually come back to life!

I had gone back to the day of my big stomach surgery.

In my previous life, Jack and Mabel tricked me. They gave me a huge surgery I did not need just for a stomach ulcer. They even took out my uterus, ending my baby's life before it even started.

When the truth came out, they threw me off a building and made it look like I did it to myself.

My mom was so heartbroken over my death that she was not herself anymore. Later, Mabel pushed her down the stairs, killing her.

My dad gave the wrong medicine, which was secretly replaced by Jack and caused death. A patient's family member, thinking my dad was to blame, ended his life.

After he died, terrible stories were spread about my dad about taking bribes, hurting his patients, and faking records. He was shamed by everyone.

As for Jack, he took all my money and ran off with Mabel to study abroad, becoming a big shot in his field.

This time, I was going to make them pay.

"Emma, are you out of your mind? You don't look after yourself—always smoking, drinking, and eating too much. Now, you've got stomach cancer. Jack's been working day and night to find a way to save you, and you can't even say thanks.

"Instead, you slap him in front of everyone!"

Mabel's angry words snapped me back to reality.

I pushed down the anger in my eyes and pretended to be sorry. "I'm sorry, Jack. I'm just really nervous and scared... I've never smoked, drank too much, or eaten too much.

"Why did Dr. Levy start by saying bad things about me just because I have cancer? Does that mean everyone who gets cancer deserves it?"

We were on a floor full of cancer patients and their families. When they heard what I said, they all looked at Mabel angrily.

Mabel's eyes were red as she said, "I was just worried about you. How can you think I meant something bad?"

I did not believe her excuses. "You judged me before even knowing the whole story, didn't you?"

"Alright, honey. I know you're scared about the surgery. Don't worry. I'm here, and I won't let anything happen to you," Jack said with a lot of love in his voice, trying to calm me down.

However, he was just making it easy for Mabel to get out of trouble.

He was clearly protecting Mabel. How did I never see that before?

"I'm not ready. I need a little more time," I said. Then, I grabbed the surgery consent form and ripped it up.