A Lifetime Sealed by a False Oath

When I woke up, I found myself lying in a hospital ward. Chandler, whose eyes were bloodshot, was sitting by my side.

"Oh, you're finally awake! Thank heavens!"

He looked as though he hadn't slept for days, with dark circles under his eyes and a thick bandage still wrapped around his head. Clutching my hand desperately, he covered it with kisses as if on the verge of tears.

"I thought I was going to lose you, my love. It's such a relief that you're fine... If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself…"

Listening to the tremor in his voice, I instinctively pulled my hand back. "I'm tired. I just want to rest."

Assuming I was still upset with him, he planted a doting kiss on my forehead and said, "Rest well, my love. I promise to make it up to you once you've recovered."

As he was leaving, he paused at the door. "Oh, and our wedding anniversary is next Saturday. I booked the largest opera house in the city to celebrate and promise to make it an unforgettable night for you."

Instead of responding, I turned my back to him and listened to the door click shut.

I slept for a long time after that. A nurse came in to check on me throughout and said I was lucky not to have suffered any injuries to my organs or bones.

Outside the door, a few nurses were gossiping.

"That couple in the room next door is just so sweet. Mr. Leighton hardly ever leaves his wife's side."

"Right? I even saw him feeding her meals and water himself."

"That's wonderful. I wish my husband were that attentive."

I knew they were talking about Chandler and Heather. Though I'd been married to Chandler for seven years, I was just a mistress without an official status all this time. And even when our lives were in danger, his first instinct was to protect Heather, not me.

I lay quietly in bed, letting their words sink in.

Just then, my phone rang. It was from Mom, who sounded panicked and anxious. "Why haven't you answered your phone for so long? I thought something happened to you!"

Listening to her voice, the tears I'd been holding back finally streamed down my face. My voice cracked as I whispered, "I'm fine, Mom. I was just busy."

She fussed over me for a while before finally relaxing after making sure I was truly fine.

"The Atwoods' son is returning to Osnea next Saturday. Since you've made up your mind, I'll have him pick you up."

Next Saturday was the day of my fabricated wedding anniversary with Chandler.

The news brought me an unexpected sense of relief and made me smile through tears. "Sure, I'll be ready by then."