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... "

I lay in the hospital for two weeks and finally, I was able to be discharged.

Xie Rongyu, who rarely had time, came to accompany me through the discharge procedures.

The doctor reviewed the report and handed the examination results to Xie Rongyu.

"Your wife's depression has reached a severe level, with significant tendencies to harm herself."

"Severe... depression?" His voice tightened, fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the report. "How could this be... "

The doctor said something more, and Xie Rongyu's eyes suddenly reddened.

He turned to look at me sitting beside him, his gaze filled with disbelief and heartache.

He quickly walked over and crouched in front of me, cautiously holding my hand.

"I'm sorry... " His voice was choked, "I will take good care of you."

His fingers gently brushed over my wrist, which was still wrapped in thick bandages.

"I should have noticed sooner... "

His voice was hoarse, fingers unconsciously rubbing the report's edge.

"You've been having insomnia lately... and a poor appetite... "

I leaned back in the chair, my gaze falling outside the window.

His self-reproach seemed to come through a thick pane of glass, blurred and indistinct.

"That day you asked if I could accompany you to your follow-up... "

His voice suddenly caught, his throat tightened, "I said Mingwei needed a check-up... "

The doctor's office fell silent.

Xie Rongyu suddenly gripped my hand, his force so strong that I frowned.

"I'm sorry... I was too slow... "

I calmly withdrew my hand, his palm still damp with cold sweat.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, but he declined the call without even looking at it.

"I should have paid more attention to you... "

His eyes were red, his voice growing softer, "Instead of always focusing on... "

"I really regret it."

"Give me a chance to make it up to you, please?"

I continued to gaze silently out the window.

His remorse came too late, so late that I no longer needed it.

"These medications must be taken on time, " the doctor pointed to the prescription, his voice slower, "One pill every morning after breakfast, two pills before bed at night."

He looked up at Xie Rongyu, "Absolutely no interruptions."

Xie Rongyu nodded repeatedly, fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the medicine box.

The doctor continued to caution:

"Pay special attention to her emotional changes, any anomalies must be reported promptly."

"Will she... still... "

Xie Rongyu's voice choked, his throat tightened, "Do something foolish again?"

The doctor sighed, "That depends on the family's companionship and care."

He looked at Xie Rongyu meaningfully, "Patients with depression need to feel safe and secure above all else."

Xie Rongyu's eyes suddenly reddened.

He clutched the medicine bag tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"I will definitely take good care of her."

Xie Rongyu carefully organized the medications I needed to take home, meticulously checking the instructions for each box.

His movements were light, as if afraid of disturbing me.

He looked up at me, his voice choked, "I will take good care of you."

I nodded slightly, my gaze fixed outside the window.

After returning home, he tied on an apron and busied himself in the kitchen, occasionally glancing back at me.

"I made porridge for you; the doctor said it's good for the stomach."

He served a bowl, gently blowing on it to cool before handing it to me, "Be careful, it's hot."

I took it without much thought, swallowing without really tasting it.

His phone suddenly rang, the name "Gao Ting" flashing incessantly on the screen.

He hesitated for a moment before answering the call.