When He Knew I Was Dead, He Cried All Night！

The doctor's words hit me like a sledgehammer. "You've got one month left."

When asked what I wanted to do most, I slammed a contract in front of Ashton Bennett. "Be with me for a month, and it's yours."

Ashton glared at me, his jaw clenched. "Lyla, are you that desperate for a man?"

Later, the same man who called me disgusting was on his knees outside the ER.

But the woman he loved most would never return.

——

At 28, I never imagined death would come knocking so soon. After six months of nagging stomach pain, I finally dragged myself to the hospital.

The diagnosis was a gut punch—stomach cancer, with a month left at best.

"Do something that makes you happy," the doctor advised.

I smirked bitterly. Happy? The man I love doesn't love me back, and my family treats me like the enemy. What is left to be happy about?

But if I couldn't be happy, why should they?

A plan began to form in my mind.

Two days later, I tossed a contract at Ashton. His eyes narrowed as he read it, barely containing his fury. "Lyla, what the hell are you playing at?"

I knew Ashton didn't like me, but his look of disgust still stung.

Feigning confidence, I sauntered over and draped my arms around his neck. "Ashton, I want you to be mine for a month."

He shoved me away, repulsed. "You make me sick, Lyla."

I stumbled but regained my footing. "Tough. You'll just have to deal with it."

Ashton snapped, grabbing my throat. "Are you that desperate for a man? Fine, if that's what you want, let's do this!"

His face was gloomy with rage. Ashton scooped me up, kicked open the door to the break room, and tossed me onto the bed.

Before I could react, he was on top of me.

Afterwards, clinging to consciousness, I called out to him, "Ashton, move in with me by tomorrow."

Then everything went black.

Ashton and I weren't always at each other's throats.

Once, he promised to marry me, to protect me forever. I was the only fool still clinging to that promise he'd long forgotten.

I knew Ashton hated being threatened. When I decided on this plan, I braced myself for his wrath.

I woke up at home, aching all over, my voice hoarse.

The housekeeper told me Ashton had his driver bring me back.

I laughed bitterly, thinking, Of course, he shows no mercy.

That contract was crucial for the Bennett Group. With so much already invested, failing to start on time would be disastrous for both finances and reputation.

I knew Ashton would come.

After our tumultuous sex, I was famished. A burning sensation radiated from my stomach.

After eating, I asked the housekeeper for my medication.

Ashton walked in on this scene, his already sour expression darkening further.

The afternoon's events had caught him off guard, leaving no time for precautions.

He was grimly satisfied that at least I had the sense to take contraceptives. The last thing he wanted was for this conniving woman to bear his child.

Seeing him, I mustered a weak smile. "You're here."

Ashton frowned. "Lyla, you're only making me despise you more."

"Whatever. In a month, it'll all be over anyway."

To Ashton, this just confirmed his view of me as a loose woman.

He thought, Is this how she manipulated all those men? Well, I'm not falling for it.

"Listen, Lyla," he growled, "don't try any tricks. My patience has its limits."