Edward took the divorce papers from me and glanced briefly at my signature.

He pressed his tongue against his cheek and slapped the papers onto my shoulder. "Ms. Barrett, you shouldn't have studied medicine. You should have gone into finance.”

He leaned in, and his eyes were cold. "You want to divorce me? How much of the Scott family's fortune do you plan on taking with you?”

I was momentarily stunned. I pressed my lips tightly together before I quietly replied, "I never wanted your money.”

Edward's sharp gaze locked onto me, and his lips curled into a twisted smirk. "Amelie, oh, Amelie… You've always been the type to do whatever it takes to get what you want.

"Those petty tricks you use are just to keep yourself tethered to my family and continue riding our coattails. After all, your family is sinking.

"Am I wrong? A woman like you, who's quick to jump ship the moment I face hard times, would never let herself endure a tough life."

His cruel words made me tremble uncontrollably.

With a chilling look in his eyes, Edward turned to leave, but I stepped in front of him and stretched my arms out.

"You love Olivia, don't you? I'll make it easy for you. I'll sign a guarantee. I won't take a single penny from you.”

"Yes, I do love Olivia,” Edward said. As he narrowed his eyes, a cruel smile tugged at his lips. "That's exactly why I'll make sure she marries me with her head held high."

With that, he turned and slammed the door behind him.

I turned and picked up the divorce papers from the floor. I felt nothing but bitterness in my chest.

After a long silence, the phone rang. I picked up and heard my mom, Alexia Garcia, crying on the other end.

My dad, Kenny Barrett, had fallen into a coma from a serious illness and was rushed to the hospital.

I hurried over. It was there that Mom told me the Barrett family was about to go bankrupt, and Dad's condition had worsened because of the stress.

Suddenly, I remembered Edward's words. He'd asked me how much of the Scott family's fortune I planned on taking with me.

He must have known that my family was going bankrupt.

Mom, who was desperate like a drowning person grabbing at a lifeline, squeezed my slim arm tightly. "Amelie, go to Edward and ask him for money. With that money, we can save your dad's company. You're his wife. He won't refuse.”

"He hates me.” I forced a smile, and my face darkened with sorrow. "Why would he give me any money?”

Mom slapped me across the face. "Are you going to watch your dad die? How can you be so useless?”

My lips trembled, and a cold shiver ran through me as I looked at Mom. Some mothers really didn't care about their children. She had never considered my feelings. She only saw me as a source of money.

Back when the Scott family hit hard times, Killian Shaffer somehow found my address and leaked a video of Mom's adultery. He offered me a deal. If I went with him on a trip and stayed on his yacht for three days, he'd keep the video a secret.

He even promised that if I broke up with Edward, he would pay off Edward's debts and help him through this tough period.

At that time, Edward was so overwhelmed and helpless. There was nothing he could do.

I thought that as long as I could help him, it didn't matter if he misunderstood me. So I took the money from Killian and used it to plug the holes in the Scott family's finances.

I also said harsh words and hurt Edward.

I never imagined I'd have any further dealings with him.

That was until Edward's sick father, Sergio Scott, asked to speak with me.

He wanted me to marry Edward. He claimed he understood my reasons and knew how I had helped the Scott family.

Back then, I didn't agree.

But the next day, Mom accepted a large amount of wedding gifts from the Scott family. Sergio had forced Edward into agreeing to marry me.

From that point on, Edward hated me with all his heart.

…

After I left the ward, I took another painkiller. When I turned around, I saw a woman in a hospital gown standing nearby.

Her skin was fair. Her eyes were large and round, and her features were delicate. Her figure was graceful.

It was Olivia Gardner, the woman Edward was in love with, and my best friend once upon a time.

I turned away and was about to leave.

"Amelie,” Olivia called out to me.

Smiling, she walked toward me. Her tone was condescending as she said, "I heard your family's going under. Looks like you're getting what you deserve. By the way, I saw you take some medicine just now. Are you sick? Talk about misfortune.”

I looked at her coldly and said, "Get lost.”

Olivia wasn't offended. She casually replied, "You really are pathetic. Edward doesn't want you, and yet you're still clinging to him.”

Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "You know, Edward's been by my side these days. He's been constantly checking on me and taking care of me.”

"You want to take my place as Mrs. Scott?” I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Let him come talk to me about the divorce.”

Olivia's eyes narrowed. "You don't really think he hasn't divorced you yet because he still loves you, do you?”

She laughed loudly. "How naive. He's just trying to get back at you. When he's done playing with you, you'll be no better than trash.”

Olivia leaned closer and whispered in my ear with contempt. "Oh, he's never touched you, has he?”

My hand trembled. I looked up and coldly stared at Olivia.

"Want to know why?” Olivia's nails dragged slowly down my face. "Because he thinks you're dirty. Killian gave you the money to pay off the Scott family's debts, didn't he?”

"Are you done? If you are, get lost!” I pushed her hand away. But to my surprise, Olivia fell heavily to the ground.

Footsteps rushed from behind, and Edward quickly scooped Olivia into his arms.

As he lifted her up, he glanced back at me, who was still frozen in shock. His eyes sent a chill down my spine.

Olivia had been injured before for Edward. Her bones were fragile, and the fall caused another fracture. Without a word, Edward carried her straight to the emergency room.

Late at night, at the Scott residence, Edward kicked the bedroom door open. He then yanked the covers off the bed and pulled me up.

"How could you be so evil?"

"How am I evil?" I stared at the man in front of me as tears welled up in my eyes. "Edward, if you're so great, just kill me!"

I looked at him with teary, defiant eyes. "I've never betrayed you! I didn't sleep with Killian!"

A sharp pain in my abdomen hit me, and I trembled uncontrollably.

Edward's eyes were fixed on me. After a long pause, he smiled.

"Do you think I'm still that easy to fool?" His gaze was bloodthirsty. "I know what kind of person Killian is. He's always talking about liking you. If you hadn't slept with him, would he have given you money? The Shaffers are all scums."

I was in too much pain to respond. I could only gasp for air.

I knew Edward wouldn't believe me.

Finally, I managed to force a smile. "If you want to think like that, then go ahead."

I pushed against Edward, trying to stand and escape this suffocating room.

But he came straight for me and pinned me down. I struggled. "Let me go, Edward."

He leaned down, and his breath was warm against my ear. "You think I want to touch you? I find you filthy."

He began unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his strong muscles. "But didn't you say you haven't slept with Killian? Let me check." His smile was like a devil's smile.

I shivered all over. My hands pounded desperately at his shoulders, but his strength was too much for me.

The sharp pain in my abdomen intensified, like a knife twisting inside. It was unbearable. I curled into a ball, and beads of cold sweat started forming on my forehead.

"Stop pretending!" Edward sneered. "I haven't touched you yet."

"It hurts," I gasped through violent shudders. "My stomach hurts."

I needed my painkillers.

I kept thinking about the painkillers as I struggled to shove Edward off me.

Edward was caught off guard and stumbled back. His leg hit the bedside table, knocking a bag to the ground. Pill bottles rolled out of it, along with my lab report.

My heart raced as I reached for it, but Edward grabbed the paper first. His eyes fixed on the last line—late-stage colon cancer.

He stared at me with a complicated expression.

I curled up on the bed. I felt like a fish stranded on dry land.

Edward leaned over and picked up one of the pill bottles.

After examining it for a long time, he snorted and slammed the lab report and the bottle to the floor.

"Always playing games," he muttered with a twisted smile. "Do you think I'll pity you just because you forged these documents?"

Edward leaned down and wiped the sweat from my forehead. "You're not Olivia. Don't try to imitate her. Even if you died, I wouldn't feel a thing."

He walked away, leaving me on the bed. I picked up the pill bottle he had discarded and swallowed a pill without water.

An hour later, the pain began to subside.

I stared at the white ceiling and suddenly started laughing. But as I laughed, tears began to flow uncontrollably.

Just then, my phone rang. I wiped the sweat from my forehead before picking it up.

"Amelie, did you ask Edward for money?" It was Mom again.

I weakly murmured, "I won't ask him for money."

"Then go ask Killian. Doesn't he like you?" Mom's voice grew sharp as she panicked.

I gripped the fabric of my shirt tightly and replied coldly, "Do you really care that much for Dad?"

There was a pause on the other end. "What do you mean by that?"

Thinking about what Killian had back then, I rubbed my reddened eyes and said, "Maximo Blair."

That was Mom's boyfriend's name.

On the other end, silence fell, and after a few seconds, she hung up.

…

Rory tried to convince me to stay in the hospital, but I refused. I had enough medication to last a while.

As soon as I got home, I saw Edward rushing out in a hurry. It was rare to see him this anxious.

The maid, Sasha Ray, informed me that something had happened to Olivia. It turned out she was diagnosed with severe heart failure.

Something in my mind urged me to follow Edward.

In the hospital hallway, I saw him pacing back and forth.

He wore a black shirt and trousers. His hair was disheveled, his eyes were red-rimmed, and his lips were pressed tightly together.

He must be devastated and heartbroken.

After all, he loved Olivia so much.

I thought to myself that since I was already dying, perhaps I could do something for Edward. I just wanted him to stop hating me after I was gone.

And if there was a next life, I hoped I'd never meet him again.

Edward was desperately searching for a heart donor because the doctors said Olivia didn't have much time.

Meanwhile, I signed the organ donation agreement and secretly underwent a test to see if I was a match.

After leaving the hospital, I threw away the medication I had kept in my bag. I didn't need it anymore.

"Amelie."

At the sound of that familiar voice, my body stiffened. A large, bony hand landed on my shoulder suddenly.

A man had walked up to me.

He had sharp features and a tall, imposing frame. He often smiled, but when he did, it was unsettling.

I noticed the deep scar on his neck.

"Killian," I weakly uttered his name as I closed my eyes.

Killian gave me a sly grin and pointed to the scar on his neck. "Edward did this. What do you think? How should I get back at him?"

I suddenly recalled something similar he had said three years ago.

"If you don't date me, what do you think I'll do to Edward?"

If Edward's family was doing well back then, I wouldn't have been afraid. But the Shaffer family had power, and Scott Corporation had crumbled overnight.

One word from the Shaffer family could ruin Edward and prevent him from ever rising again.

I laughed bitterly. "You deserve it, Killian."

Killian stared at me thoughtfully. "Do you really see Edward as your support? I heard he's getting close to your bestie Olivia."

I didn't want to engage with him any further.

But just as I turned, a wave of dizziness hit me. My body went limp, and I lost consciousness.

…

When I regained consciousness, I noticed that I was at the front gate of the Scott residence.

My abdomen still ached, and I felt exhausted. I didn't want to open my eyes, but I could hear Edward and Killian talking.

Edward's voice was devoid of emotion. "You have quite the nerve to come here directly, Mr. Shaffer. What do you want?"

"I'm just bringing Amelie back. She fell asleep," Killian replied lazily.

"Oh? You can take her home if she's asleep. Why bring her here? What do you think she is to me? I have things to do. I'll take my leave." Edward's indifferent voice followed. Then, I heard the sound of an engine starting.

I slowly opened my eyes and watched the car disappear into the distance. A bitter feeling rose in my chest.

I unbuckled my seatbelt to get out of the car, but Killian grabbed my hand and turned to look at me. "You're sick. Come with me." His voice was unexpectedly pleading.

I didn't want to speak. I pushed his hand away and got out of the car. Killian rolled down the window of his Bentley. "He doesn't care about you, Amelie. He's definitely going to visit Olivia in the hospital now. If you don't believe me, get in the car, and I'll take you there."

"That's none of my business." I straightened my back and walked step by step into the Scott residence.

Behind me, I could hear Killian muttering curses under his breath and pounding on the steering wheel.

That night, I was half awake when I heard the bedroom door open. As I was about to get up, I smelled alcohol. The scent was heavy on Edward but not unpleasant.

The moonlight filtered through the window, and I saw his face clearly.

"Edward."

My eyes lit up. Edward buried his face in my neck and rested his hand on my trembling shoulder.

I tentatively wrapped my arms around his neck, and he didn't pull away.

I pressed my lips together to keep my emotions in check.

"Amelie," he rasped, calling my name in a way that made my heart falter.

"Yes?" I responded with a smile and held his face in my hands. This was my lover, my Edward.

Edward leaned in, and I could clearly see the depth of his eyes, his long eyelashes, and the faint crease of his double eyelid.

His lips parted slightly, then came his calm voice. "Why is it not you who's sick, Amelie? Why aren't you the one dying?"

"Stop it." I froze. My eyes dimmed, and my voice trembled as I begged him.

Edward's eyes were empty. He curled up beside me and murmured softly, "Three years ago, you called me to break up on that rainy night. I came looking for you and almost got hit by a car.

"It was Olivia who pushed me away, but she was hit and thrown into the air. Her bones were shattered, and she was in critical condition for three days. How could you do this to me, Amelie? How could you…"

His words were casual, yet they struck me deeply. They left me feeling hurt and desolate in an instant.

There was no deep hatred in his eyes, but that only made me feel worse. He didn't even hate me now. He really didn't care about me.

As I closed my eyes, a tear slipped down my cheek.

I thought to myself, "Edward, do you know? I don't have much time left either. I could make it right for you. I could disappear from your world forever. Then, your world would be brighter."

Edward was too drunk and soon fell into a heavy sleep. Meanwhile, I sat frozen beside him all night.

When the first rays of sunlight filtered through the white curtains, I slowly got up and moved quietly to leave the room while Edward was still asleep.

I crouched in the bathroom while staring blankly at the washing machine.

When I heard footsteps behind me, I quickly stood up.

A strong hand wrapped around my waist. I could feel his warm breath wafting by my ear.

He raised my chin with his large hand, forcing me to meet his slightly dazed eyes. His cheeks were actually flushed.

"Last night…"

I awkwardly smiled at him and pulled my arm out of his embrace. "You drank too much. You threw up all over the bed."

Edward pressed his lips together and withdrew his hand.

I looked down while trying to hide my emotions. "Do you want something for breakfast? I—"

Edward waved his hand. "I'm going to the hospital to see Olivia."

My smile faltered for a moment. "Go ahead. Bye."

Just then, my phone buzzed. I looked down to avoid his gaze and saw a message. It was the organ match result.