Chapter 3

The wound reopened, and I had to find a doctor to re-bandage it.

When I tried to pay for the medication with my card, I was stunned to find that all the money had been transferred out.

At that moment, it felt as if my heart had been hollowed out too. I shook my head and smiled bitterly.

Over the years, to give Lily Johnson a sense of security, I had given her full control of my paycheck, keeping only $3,000 for monthly expenses.

Even though I spent countless days and nights buried in research, developing valuable, money-making patents for the company—patents that I registered under the company's name without any compensation—I never complained.

All our business partners were attracted by my patents, choosing to work with her company because of them.

But now, after all my efforts, all I had in return was this agonizing wound and an empty bank account.

Dragging my weary body, I slowly sat back down in the cold hospital corridor, silently enduring the pain of the wound.

Not long after, my phone rang.

The caller ID showed Hazel Johnson, Lily's closest friend.

As soon as I answered, a barrage of criticism came through:

“What’s wrong with you? Are you even a man? How dare you argue with Lily? After all these years she’s supported you, do you have any shame?”

The people around Lily never thought much of me, Hazel especially.

To her, marrying Lily was like winning the lottery.

Before I could respond, Hazel arrogantly commanded:

“We’re at the Starlight Nightclub. She’s drunk. If you don’t come to pick her up in ten minutes, Oliver will take her home!”

In the past, such a threat would have sent me into a panic. But now, it just seemed absurdly amusing.

“Oliver is there too?”

Hazel’s tone became even more disdainful:

“You think everyone is as useless as you? Without Oliver, Lily’s company wouldn’t have grown so fast.”

“How did you get so lucky to marry Lily, and yet you still dare to give her attitude? Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you even deserve to be her husband?”

Her words were merciless, and then I heard a familiar laugh on the other end.

“Mr. Ethan, don’t worry. I won’t take advantage of the situation. I’ll make sure Lily gets home safely. After all, she’s my bride.”

After a big fight with me, she went to drink with her first love. This was the woman I’d cherished for so many years.

I had forgotten she had already become someone else's bride behind my back.

I couldn’t be bothered to continue the conversation and hung up the phone.

Hazel was relentless, calling several more times until I finally blocked her number.