Chapter 3

“Edward, do you even care about this family? If you did, Doris wouldn’t have…”

"Michelle started out as just a friend," Edward interrupted me roughly. He was silent for a long time before slowly beginning to talk about the other woman.

“This past year, she’s been there for me, doing everything for me.”

As he spoke, his expression softened. Edward described Michelle as a foolish girl who knew he had a family but still loved him steadfastly. He said she had a hero complex and had risked her life to save him several times.

He said she was carefree, liked to wear short skirts, and frequently had wardrobe malfunctions, but she would complain that he was too controlling. He talked about their countless nights huddled together for warmth, holding hands and leaning against each other, feeling like he was ten years younger.

In the end, he said, “I know our relationship has gone beyond friendship. Give me time, and I’ll forget her and live properly with you.”

Edward closed his eyes, looking pained. “She’s young and naive, but I can’t be. I’ve already wasted a year of her life. I can’t keep holding her back.”

I could barely breathe. Edward knew what he was saying. He was telling his wife about his romance with another woman. It felt like I was the third party, forcing him to abandon his true love for family duty.

Edward remembered her sacrifices for him, but what about mine? Did my seven years of love and dedication mean nothing?

After a long pause, I regained my composure. “I’ll give you freedom instead.”

I grabbed my suitcase and pushed past him, heading downstairs. Edward grabbed my hand, his eyes pleading. “Jane, I promise, today was my last meeting with her. I still love you. I want to give Doris a complete family…”

“Don’t mention Doris!” I lost control, hurling my bag at him. Sharp decorations cut his face and neck, causing blood to flow.

He stood there, stunned. I didn’t look back and left.

I rented an apartment near my office, contacted a lawyer, and started packing up, arranging my daughter’s funeral. While I was busy, the hospital called.

"Jane, your mother-in-law Alice has taken a turn for the worse. Please come quickly..."

I grabbed my bag and rushed out. Alice had terminal cancer. After marrying Edward, I had taken it upon myself to care for her. I did everything except bear the pain of her illness. Over seven years, I spent at least four nights a week at the hospital. Only these past few days, overwhelmed by Doris’s situation, did I forget about Alice in the hospital.

Rushing in, I didn't expect to find Michelle chatting happily with Alice. She wasn’t wearing the short skirts Edward mentioned but was dressed modestly in long sleeves and pants, looking clean and respectable. Anyone would find her likable.

Alice and Michelle seemed very close, talking like mother and daughter. “Alice…” I croaked.

Alice quickly waved me over to introduce me. “Jane, this is Edward’s coworker’s sister. Did he mention her?”

Michelle looked nervous when she saw me, standing up from her chair. She stammered, “We’ve met…”

Not responding, I watched Michelle’s eyes redden as she lowered her head and ran out, bumping into Edward coming in. She seemed relieved, grabbing his sleeve and hiding behind him, looking at me.

Edward held a medical report, frowning at me. “Jane, you can be mad at me, but my mom did nothing to you. Is this how you’ve been taking care of her?”

He threw the report at me, words like "critical condition" and "organ failure" glaring back at me.

Before I could respond, Alice shouted, “Shut up!”

“If not for Jane, I’d have died in the hospital long ago. You, who I barely see twice a year, have no right to say anything about Jane!”