Lahat ng Kabanata ng Funeral for Our Love: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

Keeping myself together, I softly denied it and hung up.As it turned out, the ring had been custom-made for Natalie from the start. The one I received was just the defective version.At that moment, it felt like someone had wrapped a hand tightly around my throat. Pain and suffocation came all at once.Just as I was at the end of my rope, Michael called. His voice was frantic. "Honey, Natalie's covered in red rashes, and her lymph nodes are swollen. What's going on? "You're a doctor. Should she go get checked?"Listening to him, I became even more certain that Natalie hadn't taken any medication to control the virus after being infected.Based on her symptoms, this wasn't just late-stage AIDS. There was a strong chance she had other infections as well, like syphilis.On the other end of the line, Michael pressed impatiently, "Honey, say something. I need an answer!"I clenched my teeth and replied evenly, "It's probably a common complication. She just needs to rest for a few da

"You'll be the child's mother from then on, and the three of us can live as a family," Michael said.I agreed out loud and went along with what he said, deliberately putting on an act of being deeply moved.After the call ended, I immediately opened the home surveillance feed.On the screen, Michael had his arm around Natalie, his tone tinged with smugness. "Don't worry. Josephine's taken care of. Once the baby's born, I'll bring up the divorce. A childless woman like her won't be in a position to compete with you over anything."Laura sat to the side, smiling broadly as she handed Natalie some supplements. "Michael knows what he's doing. As long as she stays quiet for now, she won't cause trouble and affect your pregnancy. Natalie, have some supplements. This child has to be born strong."Watching this "harmonious" scene, I laughed until I nearly doubled over.With Natalie's condition, they were still talking as if a smooth pregnancy were a given. If she could even make it to de

I crouched down and gently patted his back, my voice soft. "Darling, don't be afraid. Mom was older, and her body wasn't strong to begin with. Once she got that sick, she couldn't hold on."But you're different. You're still young, and you're in good shape. As long as you cooperate with the treatment plan and take your medication on time, you'll gradually recover."When he kept trembling, unable to speak, I went on reassuringly, "Besides, AIDS isn't what it used to be. It's no longer an automatic death sentence. It's a chronic illness that needs long-term management."As long as your viral load is controlled and your immune system holds, you can live just like a normal person. In fact, living into your 70s or 80s won't be a problem."At last, a glimmer of hope appeared in Michael's terrified eyes. He grabbed my hand tightly, his voice hoarse and broken. "Really? Honey, you're not lying to me, are you? Will I actually survive this?""Of course."I held his ice-cold hand, my gaze s

At that point, there was nothing left for Michael to argue.In the days that followed, the company came under relentless public scrutiny. Michael dared not go outside and shut himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink, the light completely drained from his eyes.He was surrounded by nothing but despair.I thought for a moment and continued to soothe him, "Darling, things have already gotten to this point. Since we can't hide it anymore, maybe we should switch strategies."He looked at me blankly.I spoke gently, guiding him along. "In a few days, hold a press conference and say someone intentionally infected you. Make public what Natalie did to you. At least that way, you might regain some sympathy, and it would also explain why you were infected with so many different viruses."…A few days later, Michael held a press conference.I attended with him, dressed impeccably.Following the script we'd agreed on, he tearfully accused Natalie of deliberately approaching him, expl