It seemed to start when Xue Mingwei returned to the country.

She began to appear frequently in Xie Rongyu's life.

I grew anxious and insecure, leading to arguments with Xie Rongyu and becoming increasingly neurotic.

Xue Mingwei intentionally provoked me, exploiting the depression that had already left me shattered.

She poured salt on my wounds, fully aware of my illness, yet she intensified her provocations.

She sent photos of her and Xie together in bed, flaunted the diamond ring he gave her, and even called during my worst episodes to boast.

"Your dear Rongyu spent the night at my place last night, " she taunted.

"He said you're not even worth a penny compared to me."

Each word felt like a poisoned dagger stabbing into my heart.

I confided in Xie about my illness, but he dismissed it as me "throwing a tantrum."

When I broke down and threw things, he labeled me "emotionally unstable."

My sleepless nights of agony were brushed off as "overthinking."

In a moment of despair, I picked up a blade and slashed my wrist, feeling utterly detached from life.

Lying in the bathtub, the warm water turned a pale red.

The phone screen remained lit, playing the last voice message from Xue Mingwei aloud: "Rongyu said no one would care if a woman like you died."

Her laughter was like nails on a chalkboard, grating on my nerves.

Staring at the water stains on the ceiling, I hallucinated they resembled a mocking face.

The wound on my wrist was deeper than I anticipated, with blood droplets spreading like dark flowers in the water.

Strangely, I felt no pain, only a sense of release.

The phone vibrated again.

I struggled to lift my eyes and saw it was a photo from Xue Mingwei: Xie was embracing her, whispering something in her ear.

The caption read: "He said even if you were gone, he wouldn't care enough to look back."

My fingers twitched involuntarily, knocking the fruit knife off the edge of the tub.

It clattered to the floor, startling the maid into a scream as she ran out.

As consciousness began to fade, I heard the front door burst open.

When Xie kicked open the bathroom door, his pupils constricted instantly.

The glaring red blood painted a shocking trail across the tiles.

He stumbled, his knees hitting the floor without him noticing, his trembling fingers pressing hard against my bleeding wrist.

"Wake up... Zhi Yuan... look at me!"

His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. "Call an ambulance! Hurry!"

He shouted toward the door, yet his arms gingerly cradled me as if I were his most precious treasure.

In the ambulance, he clutched my hand tightly, refusing to let go even as the doctor attempted to examine my wound.

"Hold on, Zhi Yuan... I beg you... I can't live without you... "

In the hospital, Xie Rongyu sat by the bedside, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the medical chart.

"Why do you insist on doing this?" he began, his voice calm and unwavering.

"Is this your way of crying out for help?"

I watched the slight furrow of his brow, a look as if he were regarding a child who didn't understand.

"Mingwei's situation is different from yours, " he continued, his tone carrying a weary patience.

"After losing her memory, I'm the only one left in her world."

"Mingwei and I grew up together. Her parents are abroad and rarely have time for her, so she's always considered me her only family."

He paused, his gaze falling on my bandaged wrist. "And now, she doesn't recognize anyone but me... "

"After the car accident, she only remembers me... "

His fingers absentmindedly traced the IV tube, though his eyes were fixed on the window.

"The psychologist says... this shows she's feeling very vulnerable... "

After speaking, he looked at me, his brow furrowed.

I saw the same expression, a mix of helplessness and fatigue.

"There is really nothing between us like you imagine, " he went on, his tone slightly urgent. "She's like a sister to me. Do you understand?"

"You know, " he looked at me, his expression indifferent, "you know she's a patient.

Why do you still compete with her?"

He looked at me and sighed.

"Please, stop being upset, okay?

You will always be my wife. That will never change."

His fingers lightly brushed my hair, then quickly withdrew.

"When Mingwei recovers, I'll make it up to you.

We'll go on that honeymoon we missed, okay?"

I looked at the tips of his ears turning slightly red, a small gesture he only makes when lying.

"Now... " his voice softened, "can you... be a little more understanding?"

His eyes held a hint of pleading.

"She really needs me right now... just for this period, okay?"

I listened quietly to Xie Rongyu's explanation, my gaze blankly fixed on the ceiling.

Each word felt distant yet unavoidably drilled into my ears.

"Okay, " I replied softly, my voice dry and unrecognizable even to myself.

The numbness brought by severe depression left me without the energy for anger.

He asked me to wait, to be patient, to understand...

His words felt weightless and insubstantial, unable to move me a bit.

I watched his eyes constantly flicker to his phone, his feet unconsciously moving toward the door.

Suddenly, it all seemed so ridiculous.

Three years, and he always used the same excuses, and I foolishly believed them every time.

"Go, " I said, my voice so calm it surprised even me.

The relief on Xie Rongyu's face pierced through my already numbed nerves.

He quickly walked to the bedside, wanting to touch my hair, but I instinctively turned my head away.

"You... " He paused, then gave a resigned smile, "Don't take it to heart. I'll be back soon."

I watched his back as he left, listening to the instant tenderness in his voice as he answered the phone. Suddenly, I realized:

I was already emotionally numb, perished with each choice he made.

It died with each of Xue Mingwei's flaunts, died in my own foolish expectations.

The sound of the hospital room door closing was soft, yet it felt like a lock, forever separating him and me into two worlds.

I slowly closed my eyes, allowing the darkness to swallow the last glimmer of light.

Xue Mingwei timidly pushed open the hospital room door, her eyes red and her slender fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.

She bit her lower lip, her voice barely audible, "Sister... I'm sorry... "

Xie Rongyu immediately stepped forward, his arm hovering protectively behind her, as if afraid she might fall.

"I-I really didn't mean to... " she sobbed, tears falling perfectly, "I was just... too scared... "

She lifted her tear-filled eyes to look at Xie Rongyu, like a deer caught in headlights, "Rongyu, my only family now... "

Xie Rongyu frowned empathetically, gently patting her back, "Don't cry, no one's blaming you."

I leaned against the headboard, quietly observing this performance.

"Sister... " she suddenly came towards me, but her legs gave way halfway, and Xie Rongyu quickly caught her by the waist.

She leaned into his embrace, her voice trembling, "I know you hate me... But I really... really only have Rongyu... "

Xie Rongyu gave me a reproachful glance, his tone softening, "She's been having a tough time lately... You should... "

Xue Mingwei timely let out a sob, burying her face in Xie Rongyu's chest.

He immediately tightened his arms around her, comforting her in a low voice, "It's okay, Mingwei, it's okay... "

I watched him gently stroke her hair, so naturally, so expertly.

"Just hang in there, okay?"

Suddenly, Xue Mingwei broke free from Xie Rongyu's embrace, stumbling to my bedside.

She clutched the corner of my blanket tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Sister... I'm begging you... "

Her voice was choked with sobs, tears drenched my blanket, "Please give Rongyu back to me... I really... really only have him... "

She lifted her tear-streaked face, "Without him... I'll die... "

Xie Rongyu rushed over, pulling her into his arms, "Don't say that!"

His voice trembled as he gently wiped away her tears, "You'll be fine, I promise."

Xue Mingwei leaned into his chest, her frail shoulders shaking, "But sister... she hates me... "

She looked up at Xie Rongyu with tear-filled eyes, "Should I... should I just die... "

"Enough!" Xie Rongyu interrupted her sharply, but his tone quickly softened, "Don't do anything foolish... "

He looked at me, his eyes pleading, "Her current state is really... "

"Sister... " she began sobbing again, her fingers tightly gripping Xie Rongyu's collar, "I promise... once I'm better, I'll give Rongyu back to you... "

Xie Rongyu looked at me, his eyes pleading, "Once her condition stabilizes... "

Xue Mingwei trembled slightly in his arms, her fingers tightly clutching his lapel.

Xie Rongyu immediately lowered his head, his voice incredibly gentle, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

I turned my gaze to the window.

Xie Rongyu sighed softly, his tone gentle yet firm, "Once Mingwei recovers, I'll make amends.

We'll go on a holiday to Hawaii, just like we promised when we got married."

As soon as he finished speaking, the body in his arms suddenly stiffened.

Xue Mingwei's fingers clenched his collar tightly, her breathing becoming rapid.

"Make amends... ?" she murmured, repeating the word, her eyes growing unfocused, "You want... to make amends to her?"

Her voice became sharper, "What about me? You don't love me anymore?"

Xie Rongyu panicked, quickly cradling her face, "No, Mingwei, listen to me... "

"Liar!" Xue Mingwei suddenly screamed hysterically, clawing at her hair, "You're all lying to me!"

She pointed in my direction, tears smearing her face, "She's the one you love, isn't she? You're going to abandon me, aren't you?"

Xie Rongyu frantically held her struggling body, his voice pleading, "Mingwei, calm down!

I swear I only love you!"

He hurriedly wiped the tears from her face, "What I said about making amends was just... just to appease her, don't take it seriously... "

Xue Mingwei's cries abruptly stopped, she sniffled and looked up, "Really... ?"

"Of course it's true."

Xie Rongyu sighed with relief, gently kissing her forehead, "You'll always be my dear Mingwei."

He turned to look at me, his eyes carrying a hint of apology, yet unwaveringly firm, "You... understand, right?"

I calmly watched them, a mocking smile curling at the corner of my mouth.

Xie Rongyu seemed pained by my expression and quickly left the room with Xue Mingwei in his arms.

In the hallway, Xue Mingwei's tearful voice could be faintly heard, "Rongyu, keep your word... "

Followed by Xie Rongyu's gentle reassurance, "When have I ever lied to you... "