Chapter 04

If possible, I too would have preferred to avoid social engagement at the dinner table in favor of more exercise, but I dared not stop.

Once I stopped, Robert's company might face failure.

Yet, after achieving success in his business, he scorned my lack of charm, turning to many women just to provoke me into pleasing him.

But why should I relent?

In this silent struggle day after day, I developed malignant tumors.

At first, I didn't take it seriously, consuming handfuls of medicine, but it wasn't until I fainted and was rushed to the hospital that I realized I had cancer.

It had been three months now, my health had rapidly declined, and I didn't know how long I could live.

What I was most concerned about was my daughter...

If Robert could find a woman who truly loved Stephanie, I would go to my death in peace, but Deirdre is absolutely not suitable!

I could no longer rely on Robert at all. I must muster my failing health to protect Stephanie to the end!

Even if I have only one day left to live, I must divorce and find a reliable person to care for Stephanie.

I got up and left the hospital. After that, I found a lawyer and had him prepare the divorce papers, also sending a message to Robert.

"Come home tonight. It's a must!"

Unexpectedly, he agreed immediately, surprisingly swiftly.

When I got home, I found the house dark except for a few candles lit in the center of the living room.

Then, Robert came out of the room, humming the birthday song.

"Sonia, I've been wrong these past few days. Today is your birthday, and I bought you a birthday cake. Surprise?"

In the darkness, the few candles made his eyes especially bright, while my heart remained utterly dark.

Today was my birthday.

But ever since three years ago, when he brazenly brought another woman on my birthday, I had stopped celebrating it.

The sounds from the bedroom that day, the despair and anger, and my heart being slowly torn apart, I would never forget in my lifetime.

I looked down at the cake in front of me and couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Pack it up. I haven't celebrated my birthday in many years."

Robert, seeing his kindness rejected, frowned in annoyance.

"What now? Can't I even celebrate a proper birthday with you?"

I didn't respond and turned on the living room light. The sudden brightness revealed Robert's impatient expression.

Expressionless, I handed him the divorce papers.

"Let's get divorced."

Robert froze, then grabbed my wrist in a rage, throwing me onto the sofa.

"Sonia, can you not pick today of all days? Is it because of that post? I warn you. I will eventually grow tired of your threats of divorce!"

He thought his words would intimidate me, his eyes full of triumph.

But I simply turned away pale, dismissing his grip on my hand.

"I'm tired. Let's get divorced. I'll leave with nothing."

He stared at me in disbelief, holding a standoff, then coldly scoffed.

"Fine, I'll let you see the consequences of your folly today!"

He snatched the divorce papers, signed them, and threw them in front of me.

But his action was too forceful, and it also scattered my test results from today's hospital visit on the floor, suddenly freezing the air.

"What is this?"

I looked down, my heart numb, and picked up the papers from the ground.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer."