I had just moved into my new apartment when my condition suddenly took a turn for the worse. The pain was searing, as if my head would explode. Cold sweat soaked through me as I collapsed to the floor, curling up in agony. The doctors had already informed me—I had a brain tumor, and it had turned malignant. My time might be limited.

That's why I needed to leave Adrian. The thought of my tombstone reading "his wife" was unbearable. He repulsed me, and I despised myself for staying with him for so long. I fought against the pain with all I had, but eventually, I succumbed and lost consciousness.

Before fading into darkness, an image of Seraphina in a hospital bed came to mind. On the day of the accident, my illness had flared up. She was so small, her tears falling as she desperately wiped my sweat and insisted on calling her father for help. I tried to reach out, but all I heard was the cold, busy signal on the line. Seraphina decided to find him herself. I couldn't stop her; she ran out so quickly. And then came the accident.

When I came to, night had already fallen. It dawned on me how long it had been since I'd stepped outside. I forced myself to get up and went out. The evening breeze was cool, gently caressing my skin. As I wandered down the street, watching the bustling crowd, I felt utterly disconnected from the world around me.

I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of a shopping mall. Seeing the display of stuffed animals, I thought of Seraphina. She used to love them, but Adrian never cared for them, so he never bought her any. I went inside and chose a small plush bunny. Just as I was about to pay, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of my eye.

In a jewelry store not far from me, Adrian and Clementine Dixon were walking out, hand in hand. Clementine was beaming, wearing the very sweater I had lovingly knitted for Adrian. Each stitch was a piece of my heart, now worn by another woman.

A wave of bitterness coursed through me, yet there was also a sense of liberation. Adrian had hurt me so many times over the years. By now, I should have relinquished all hope. With Thanksgiving approaching, it was all the more apparent—our time as a family had truly ended.

I returned home, my head spinning and feeling disoriented. In that haze, I heard Seraphina's voice.

She was just like before, bounding into my arms with her sweet voice, calling me "Mom." I looked at her joyfully, wanting to hold her close, but suddenly she disappeared.

Panicked, I called out, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find her.

“Seraphina!”

I shouted, struggling to open my eyes. There was a knock at the door.

For a brief moment, I hoped she had come back, and I hurried to open the door.

Standing outside was Adrian.

“What are you doing here?” I suddenly became more alert.

Adrian looked at me, his brow furrowed. “Stop causing a scene and come home with me. There’s no need for this.”

I frowned slightly. “What are you talking about?”

He grabbed my hand firmly, pulling me toward the door. “Melina, you’ve been upset long enough. It’s time to move on.”

“Let go of me!” I was furious. “Who says I want to go back with you?”

I pulled my hand free from his grip. He turned around, looking somewhat surprised.

“Melina, are you really leaving?” he asked in a deep voice.

I nodded. “Yes, there’s nothing between us anymore.”

“Think it over. You’ll regret it,” he warned.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “The only thing I regret is falling in love with you in the first place.”

With a bang, I slammed the door shut, leaning my trembling body against it.

Adrian stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.

Later, I received a message from Clementine.

“Melina, thank you for making it possible for me and Adrian.”

Her words dripped with smugness.

Attached was a photo of her hand adorned with a diamond ring.

I instinctively looked at my own bare fingers, realizing that was something I had never had.

My illness has become more frequent. Sometimes, I'm so weak that I can't even get out of bed. I lean against the headboard, gazing at the sunset painting the sky deep red, my thoughts drifting far away.

Since marrying Adrian, I've devoted myself to him. I adore him and wish he would cherish our life together. But he constantly gravitates towards Clementine, to the point where she even takes the calls I make to him.

"Melina, Adrian is with me right now; he's too busy for you," she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm, grating on my ears.

"Clementine, you're going too far!" I snap, anger rising in my voice.

She chuckles lightly, "Melina, you should accept it. Adrian cares for me, not you."

I clutch my phone, speechless.

"Clementine, who are you talking to?" I hear Adrian's voice in the background.

"It's your wife," Clementine replies sweetly, almost mockingly. "Adrian, come over here."

Her voice is syrupy, laced with flirtation. Adrian responds briefly, then takes the phone to say, "Clementine isn't feeling well. I'm taking her to the hospital. Don’t call unless it’s urgent."

I open my mouth to speak, but he hangs up before I can say a word.

As my thoughts return to the present, I stare blankly out the window. The beautiful view from moments ago suddenly feels cold and lifeless. I close my eyes, a profound calm settling over me. Perhaps, for me, death would be the ultimate release.