A Collapsed Love

Finally, seven years of entanglement, love, and resentment came to an end.

Thinking of this, I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

When I came to my senses, Joel had already carried Priscilla into a ward.

The doctor said Priscilla only had minor injuries, yet he still refused to leave her side.

One of his subordinates couldn't stand it anymore and softly reminded him, "Mr. Xander, Mrs. Xander's condition isn't good. Her legs were crushed. Shouldn't you at least check on her?"

Joel hesitated for a moment, but before he could move, Priscilla pitifully clutched his hand. "Joel, I'm scared. What if I fall asleep and wake up to find my legs broken? Can you stay with me?"

As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look like a wounded little rabbit.

His heart softened instantly, and he gently reassured her, "Don't be afraid. I'm here. I won't go anywhere."

His subordinate stomped his foot in frustration. "Mr. Xander, Mrs. Xander's legs are broken! Can't you at least take a look?"

Joel snapped, "What do you expect me to do? I'm not a doctor or a nurse. Am I supposed to operate on her myself? What? Will her legs magically heal if I go?"

Each word stabbed into my heart like a dagger.

After seven years of pouring my heart and soul into this marriage, I found that, in the end, I couldn't even get him to visit me once.

"Joel, you can finally pursue your true love openly now. There's no longer a 'burden' like me standing in your way," I murmured as a floating spirit.

His subordinate stormed off in frustration.

At that moment, Joel's phone rang. It was Sofia calling.

"Joel, where are you? Come to the hospital quickly to visit Aurora!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, making my nose sting with emotion.

She always said that my family saved her life, defended me, and treated me better than Joel ever did.

I had promised to take her on a trip this weekend—but I couldn't keep that promise.

Joel opened his mouth to respond, but Priscilla threw herself into his arms before he could say anything.

"Mom, I'm busy. I really can't leave right now."

"But—"

Before Sofia could finish, Joel decisively hung up the phone.

I laughed bitterly to myself.

Look at them—so deeply in love. If I hadn't died, I would be the one ruining the mood.

Priscilla clung tightly to Joel's waist, sobbing.

"Joel, I envy Aurora so much. She has family and friends, and even your mother loves her… But I only have you. What will I do if you leave me one day?"

He hesitated, raising his hand slightly but gently placing it on her shoulder.

For the next few days, he never left her bedside.

He clumsily helped her wash her face and comb her hair every morning, even personally washing her lingerie.

Like a pathetic thief, I could only hide in the shadows, watching my husband shower another woman with love and care without restraint.

An indescribable bitterness welled up in my chest.

I remembered the time I had a high fever and begged Joel to make a herbal tea for me. Of course, he didn't even bother.

Through tear-filled eyes, I had asked him why he couldn't care for me just once.

He brushed me off, saying, "I'm not a considerate kind of man. I don't know how to take care of people."

Watching him now, searching online for the best ways to care for Priscilla while running around attending to her every need, I finally understood.

There was no inconsiderate man who didn't know how to care for people.

He simply never wanted to care for me.

On the third day, my best friend, Eileen Newman, arrived at the hospital with my death certificate in hand.

"You heartless bastard! Aurora is lying alone in the morgue, and you two are flirting like nothing happened!"

The moment she entered, she slapped Joel hard across the face.

He wasn't expecting it, and his cheek instantly swelled red, but he clenched his jaw and swallowed his anger.

"Aurora is your best friend. At least have some respect for her. Do you think it's appropriate to talk about her like she's dead?"

"Aurora is your wife! She was being resuscitated, and you didn't even care. Instead, you stayed here with your mistress. Do you think that's appropriate?"