A love once lost

er or a friend to sign the documents b

t distant, like a whi

phone. Not a

ed as I dialed

e, he pi

with her at the hospital.

e

dead before

r through my pain, I was hit by

t even give

onto hope, o

a text. I l

peared next t

oc

g inside

im. I dedicated myself t

out his outfits. Every night, I waited up for him, hoping-

g more than a sh

who made me feel safe. I held onto those memories like lifelines, even thou

st love disappeared and he asked me to m

wasn'

conve

wounded pride. And like a fool, I thought if

baby was gone

ing left for m

one and called my

ned the papers. He stayed by my s

he accident wasn't a coincid

one b

rom an unkn

ened

re of X

e her, gently wiping

he image,

y a substitute. Hurry up and give him b

stabbed thr

s silent tears spil

I had been sick, curled up in

an you bring

and unreasonable

for help. And when one of them ar

. "Bringing another

no

e he

Smiling as he

yed by his side, wiping his forehead,

once-had he ever

llain in the

rgery, the doctor spoke

severe. If you strain yourself... yo

... no

ome and drew

I caught my reflec

zed the woman st

four. But I l

skin, fine lines cr

rificing myself for Xiao Lin

nded t

phone and calle

ing a si

wife. That was how lit

lay in bed, the d

ing wa

ght and froze when h

second, I saw s

it was

is throat,

. Don't worry about work-just

is voice unu

take your place

red a

vesick grin, his voice dr

ide me clicke

n his wife. Onl

eep breath

ce was

let's get

about to pat my

t time, he w

ckled, shaki

smoothly. "And you're jealous of Ayi. She doesn't have an

ew more nonsense,

mized r

r

. Ayi's panicked voic

rd, Xiao Ling turn

t even l

down and cl

me in years, I s

finally

er what

meant to b

t

lly choosi