Chapter 1 Horrible Truth

On the 5th of September 2020, Shyla Fisher received a piece of alarming news out of the blue...

Doctor: "Mrs. Bernard, is your husband with you?"

Shyla: No, doctor.

Doctor: Is anyone accompanying you now?

Shyla: No, doctor.

Doctor: Hmm, ok. Can you make a call to any family member?

Shyla: "Why doctor?" she said with a puzzled tone.

Doctor: "I want to have a word with your family members," he said with a serious tone.

Shyla: "Why doctor? You can tell me.", she said, somewhat bewildered.

Doctor: "Mrs. Bernard, there are some things doctors can't tell patients directly," he said with seriousness in his tone.

Shyla: "Never mind doctor, you tell me. I can handle myself." she said with impatience.

Doctor: " Still, I prefer to have a word with your family members," he said without emotion in the tone.

Shyla: "But, they are not available now. So, I came alone. Doctor, I can understand my issue is serious, by the way of your words. So, don't worry, you tell," Shyla said in a calm tone. Yet, she was afraid to listen to what the doctor was going to say in his heart.

Doctor: but, Mrs. Bernard.....

Shyla: "Please doctor, I don't want to bother anyone, so, you may tell my situation to me." she said with a pleading.

After some thought, with hesitation, the doctor said OK.

Doctor: Mrs. Bernard, listen carefully, don't feel tense. There is a chance to get better. First, you have "gastric cancer", and your gastric cancer has reached the final stage. If you can start your treatment on time, there is a 90% chance of curing it.

Shyla was shocked to the core when she heard what the doctor was saying.

after calming herself, looking at the doctor, "What? am I a gastric cancer patient?" She laughed out loud.

Doctor: yes, nodded his head.

Shyla: Doctor, it's a bad joke, you know?

Doctor: Mrs. Bernard, what I am saying is true. Why would I joke with you? If you don't treat it on time, you may not live for more than ten months. Please be mentally prepared."

Looking at the doctor's serious face and confirming that the doctor was not kidding, Shyla could not believe it. She was bewildered. Her face turned pale. A mere medical examination pushed her to death's doorstep. There were only ten months left in her life. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing her reaction, the doctor felt sorry for her. So, he tried to encourage her.

Doctor: Mrs. Bernard, don't worry. If you start your treatment immediately, you have a 90% chance. So, don't be discouraged.

Shyla: " OK doctor.", She said, with a sad smile. After that, she went out of the doctor's room.

Calming her breath, Shyla took out her phone from her pocket and pressed the speed dial. "Nolan, where are you? Will you come back for dinner tonight? If so, I'll buy some groceries now and ask the housekeeper for help to cook your favorite dishes."

There was no answer for a long while.

Shyla bit her dry lips and she couldn't hold back her tears as they rolled down onto her palm.

On the other hand, Nolan Bernard replied nonchalantly, "No, I have a social engagement tonight. Besides, you don't know how to cook." Then the phone hung up.

Shyla sat there with a heavy heart when she heard Nolan answer. After recovering from disappointment, Shyla took a deep breath and walked calmly out of the hospital.

She shouldn't have expected Nolan to give her any reply. They had been married for five years, and even when she had been faithful to Nolan, he didn't care about her.

She should be content with these five years. Even if Nolan did not love her, she would have no regrets that he would accompany her to the end of her life. As she knew nothing, Nolan had taken care of her for five years.

When she got home, the cold air made her shudder. As usual, she ate alone, watched TV alone, and slept alone. This villa was both Nolan's and her house. Yet, she was alone most of the time. Once she had gotten used to it, this kind of loneliness had not been terrible.

However, Shyla was terrified at that moment. She was afraid that no one would take care of Nolan ten months later and that he would marry someone else to replace her position as Mrs. Bernard after her death.

In a daze, she felt the bed dip and a cold body clung to her. Knowing that the body belonged to Nolan, she immediately threw herself into his arms.

Nolan held her by the waist without any foreplay.

All of a sudden, Shyla came to her senses. She could not see Nolan's face, but she could feel his presence. This was the moment that they were best with each other.

"Nolan, I want a child."

There was a hint of relief in Shyla's voice. At least, when she was not around, a child could accompany him in her stead.

"Didn't we agree not to have a child? Why do you suddenly change your mind?" Nolan asked coldly.

When Shyla turned her head, what came into sight was a handsome face with sharp features. His dark eyes were peering into her eyes through the dim light.

"I like children. Let's have one."

Nolan lost interest abruptly. Pulling out of her body, he wiped himself with a tissue. He didn't have many feelings for Shyla. "Marrying you was your dad's wish at that time, but I never intended to have children with you. Don't mention this again and be a good Mrs. Bernard. Don't let me lose interest in you."

Shyla lowered her eyes and her heart seemed to have torn apart. She knew very well that Nolan did not love her. However, she had loved Nolan for 13 years, so how would this love end?

"Is it because of her?"

Nolan stopped in his tracks and his eyes were icy-cold.

"Ekta Turner."