Chapter 1

I lie in a hospital bed, battling a severe illness, while my wife races to the airport to pick up her first love, who just returned from abroad.

She spends her days drinking with him, picking fights, and chasing every reckless thrill they can find.

She forgets our wedding anniversary entirely, and when she decides to end our child's life, she keeps it from me—like I don't deserve to know.

Even when I end up in a car accident, broken and bleeding, she doesn't bother to visit.

Despair sets in, and on the operating table, I take my last breath.

Only later, when the truth comes out, does she realize the depth of her betrayal. But by then, it's too late—her regret consumes her, driving her to the edge of madness.

Vanessa Frost and I had been married for five years, but between her relentless work schedule and constant traveling, the time we spent together could barely fill a day.

This year, things finally seemed to take a turn.

"Rowan, let's start over," she said.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I lay awake, imagining a future where we grew old together, content and in love.

But everything unraveled again just as quickly.

Yesterday, I was rushed to the hospital with a sudden case of appendicitis. The doctor said I needed emergency surgery.

I called Vanessa over and over—no answer.

Lying on that hospital bed, staring at the blank white ceiling, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Lately, she had been acting strange. She'd disappear without explanation and ignore my calls and messages.

I opened our chat history. Message after message, all from me. The last one was sent just before I went into surgery.

Rowan: [Honey, I'm in the hospital. The doctor says it's appendicitis, and I need surgery. Can you come be with me?]

No response.

Maybe she was busy. Maybe she hadn't seen it yet. I didn't know.

Hesitating, I sent another message.

Rowan: [The surgery's over now. You don't need to worry.]

Just as I put my phone down, a notification popped up—a friend request.

I recognized the profile picture immediately.

Ethan Wells. My wife's first love.

I didn't know why he was trying to add me in the middle of the night, but I accepted anyway. He didn't say anything. Instead, I clicked into his Instagram out of curiosity.

One post caught my eye.

Ethan: [When someone loves you, they'll cross mountains and oceans to reach you.]

The photo showed a woman standing in an airport terminal, her back to the camera.

I knew that silhouette. It was Vanessa.

The post had been uploaded at 10 PM, just ten minutes after I'd sent my last message.

At that exact moment, I was on the operating table.

And just like that, I understood why he had added me.