He Regretted Only When I Was Dying

The year Christian loved me most, he cut off all contact with me.

It was because others said it was my jealousy that killed his sister.

Yet, he still married me.

Everyone said he was madly in love with me.

That day, he gripped my neck tightly, his eyes red as he said,

"If you want to die, go ahead and die. Don't feign innocence to gain my sympathy. You deserve a lot worse."

Later, I really was about to die.

Yet, he knelt by my hospital bed, crying, begging me not to leave.

...

"Today, we gather here to celebrate our boss, Mr. Christian's birthday."

Hearing that all-too-familiar name, I froze momentarily.

I cautiously looked up, following the sound.

A young, beautiful girl, smiling radiantly, affectionately clung to the arm of the man beside her.

Clearly, their relationship was more than just professional.

Christian sat under the lights, his gaze tender, exuding a cool, dignified aura.

In the five years we had been married, we had met only a handful of times.

Even so, at just one glance, I recognized him.

And as his wife, I was the last to know about his birthday plans.

I gave out a bitter laugh.

It wasn't always like this between us.

Christian and I were childhood sweethearts.

The year he loved me most, he broke off his engagement with Ruth.

But just a few days later, his sister committed suicide by jumping off a building.

Everyone said it was my fault.

During that time, he broke off all contact with me.

Later, he blocked my way at the airport, desperately forcing me to marry him.

"Anna, don't think about escaping. I want to trap you by my side and torment you for a lifetime."

I knew he despised me.

I heard that his recent mistress was Ruth.

At first, I didn't believe it, until I saw it with my own eyes today.

I was wrong. I overestimated my importance in his heart.

"Mrs. Paige, let's eat together."

Someone called out.

I snapped back to reality, just in time to meet Christian's cold gaze.

He was handsome, with naturally deep-set features, but now his eyes were icy cold.

I shivered and turned to leave.

His brow furrowed slightly. He didn't even glance at me as he coldly said,

"Is dining with me so unbearable?"

I bit my lip and remained silent.

Suddenly, a severe pain struck my lower abdomen, and I rushed to the restroom.

Looking at the fresh blood in the toilet, I sighed.

The doctor said I probably wouldn't live until next spring.

Treatment could make my remaining days more bearable.

But I had no money.

I had already spent all my savings on my mother's medical treatment.

I could only pretend not to see it, pressing the flush button.

At the sink, Ruth was touching up her makeup, seemingly untouched by time.

"Anna, why do you look so pale?"

She approached with feigned concern, smiling sarcastically.

"You're not dying, are you?"

The mirror reflected my face, pale and bloodless.

She was right. My days were numbered.

Seeing that I ignored her, she snorted in contempt,

"Anna, do you even remember who you are? Being a waitress here is an embarrassment to Christian."

After saying that, she provocatively curled her lip and patted my face.

This was the real her, utterly detestable.

I smiled at her,

"I suggest you figure out who you are first. I am Christian's lawfully wedded wife. It's not your place, as a shameful mistress, to point fingers at me."

Her expression turned sour as she grabbed my sleeve in a fury, yelling,

"You're old and ugly now. How can you compare to me? Just wait! One day, I'll be Mrs. Paige."

Maybe.

But I didn't want to entangle myself with her any further, smiling as I pushed her hand away.

"Stop!"

She stormed towards me, but accidentally stepped on her skirt and fell to the ground.

The sharp door handle gashed her arm, leaving a deep wound.

I quickly went to check her injury, but she shoved my hand away and burst into tears.

Her cries were heart-wrenching, drawing everyone to surround us.

Christian quickly made his way through the crowd and embraced her, asking in concern,

"Who did this?"

Ruth pointed at me without hesitation.

She knew there were no security cameras in the restroom, and I couldn't prove my innocence.

Just like back then.

"Miss Parsons, it's true I'm with Mr. Paige now, but is loving someone a crime?"

She sobbed as she spoke with conviction.

"I love Mr. Paige as much as my own life. No matter how you treat me, even if you separate us, I will always love him!"

Christian looked at her with even more affection, gently wiping her cheeks with a handkerchief, coaxing her,

"Sweetheart, don't cry anymore. It breaks my heart."

I stood quietly, watching the scene unfold as if I were just a spectator.

I had already told myself not to be sad for him.

"Anna, apologize to her."

Christian said coldly. I frowned and shook my head,

"I won't. I didn't do anything wrong."

He glanced at me, then instructed the manager standing by,

"Don't pay her until she admits her mistake."

We knew each other too well. He understood my personality and knew my weaknesses.

This was the second time he tried to buy my innocence with the money needed for my mother's treatment.

I clenched my fists tightly, tears welling up in my eyes.

On our wedding night, he offered me a monthly allowance of a hundred thousand dollars to admit that I was responsible for his sister's death.

But I hadn't done it. How could I destroy my own innocence?

I returned his card and took this job to barely cover my mom's medical expenses.

This time, it seemed I really had to bow down.

I took a deep breath, about to apologize, but Ruth fainted.

He tenderly picked her up and walked past me without looking back.