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In front of me,she would flaunt what Daniel did for her today,how he treated her yesterday.
Or she'd act likke a lunatic suddenly,demanding why I couldn’t let Daniel go,refusing to step aside.
But with Daniel,she played the part of a fragile and pure-hearted girl,claiming she didn't want to cause trouble,willing to step aside for his happiness—even planning to study abroad.
The day Daniel rushed to the airport to stop her,I was rushed to the hospital,hemorrhaging from all the stress.
Before that,neither Daniel nor I knew I was pregnant.The baby didn't make it.
Emily sent a smug message:"Sarah,you're no one special."
"I was never going abroad.I just wanted to see if Daniel would come for me."
"And he did—all it took was one text from me.He can't let me go."
"You know who he really loves,don't you?"
I looked at the man kneeling before me,sobbing,begging,"Sarah,don't leave me.Don't divorce me,please.I swear it won't happen again.I went to the airport to end things with Emily for good."
In the end,I couldn't let go of fifteen years of love and I forgave him again.
Now,staring at this man,I felt nauseated.
Each forgiveness brought me only more betrayal.
This was the man I had loved for fifteen years,now staring at him, I felt like he was a complete stranger.
Perhaps I never truly knew him.
Or maybe people change,and he's no longer the man I loved in the first place.
The Daniel I loved died.
He died the day we got married.
I nodded,went to the bedroom to drop the bags,and returned.
"Let's go this afternoon,"I said softly.
The pain hit, and my face went pale suddenly.I fought the pain and forced myself not to curl up, and instead just leaned casually against the cabinet.
"See you at 2 p.m.."
Daniel studied my suddenly pale face,staring as if searching for something.
Emily pouted and tugged at his sleeve."Daniel,let's go."
After they left,I collapsed to my knees in pain.
I took my medication and lay on the bed.
My head throbbed,my body feverish.
I touched my forehead—burning.
Too weak to move,I pulled the blanket over me,sinking into sleep.
Dream and reality blurred.
Vivid scenes filled my mind:
"Sarah,you and Daniel are so perfect together!"
"You know,people secretly call you the ‘Ward-Harper'couple."
Lucy teased,hugging my arm.
"Daniel's so handsome and so good to you,Sarah.I'm so jealous!"
Young me blushed,my eyes full of love.
"Daniel,Sarah's our our precious girl.She's yours now, treat her well."
My mother's voice.Tears welled in my eyes.
I reached out to hug her,but I couldn't move.
"Sarah,if you had any sense,you'd have divorced Daniel ages ago."
"A useless woman who can't keep a child.Truth is,from the day you were hospitalized,Daniel's been with me."
"Guess when we met first, guess when we first got together?"
Emily smirked,mocking me.
Tears fell uncontrollably.
I reached to wipe them only to woke up suddenly.
Sweat had soaked my clothes.
A dream.
Or was it?The past twenty years weren't a dream.
I clutched my aching stomach,laughing through the pain,then sobbing uncontrollably.
The phone rang.Daniel's name appeared.
I didn't answer.
It rang again.
I picked it up this time."Emily and I are at the courthouse."
"When are you coming?"
Tears fell silently.I steadied my voice."Soon."
