The Trials of Love

When my mother opened her eyes, everyone was startled.

I was also momentarily stunned, but there was no joy in my eyes because I knew this was most likely the phenomenon of a dying person's final burst of clarity before death.

I hurriedly grabbed the doctor. "She's about to go. Please, give her emergency treatment—"

But before I could even finish speaking, Adrian raised his hand to cut me off.

His expression darkened. "Enough! Your mom is completely fine. Vi, let's go."

With that, he walked away without looking back.

I was about to chase after him when my mother raised her hand weakly and tugged at me.

A tear fell from the corner of her eye as she spoke haltingly.

"Cam, don't blame Adrian. It's my fault. I couldn't even swim a few hundred feet. Explain things to him properly. Don't hurt his feelings. I can pull through. I want to drink at your wedding."

But as soon as she finished speaking, her pupils gradually dilated, and her hand slipped weakly from my grasp.

No matter how desperately I screamed her name, she never woke up again.

My heart went completely numb as I reached out to close my mother's eyes.

Adrian and I had been together for three years. I couldn't understand how we ended up like this.

Just a year ago, our relationship had been sweet and full of affection.

But ever since his childhood friend returned from abroad, everything changed.

He started becoming distant, constantly setting up "tests" to prove my sincerity.

He even said that I had to pass all 99 of his tests before I could marry him.

Last time, he called me to his childhood friend's house in the middle of the night to welcome her back.

As soon as I stepped inside, a bucket of flour was dumped on my head.

Vivian held the empty bucket while looking aggrieved. "I was the one who did it. You don't blame me, right, Cam? I just wanted to liven things up and have some fun."

Seeing Adrian watching me with an assessing gaze, I didn't snap at her, despite being angry. I just shook my head and said, "It's fine."

Who knew that in the next second, Vivian would wink at Adrian and congratulate me for passing the test?

"Not bad. Your girlfriend actually passed. Looks like she's a wife material. You won't have to worry about her disobeying you in the future."

Only then did Adrian's expression ease slightly. But even as he looked at my disheveled state, he didn't offer a single word of comfort.

He simply told me, in a detached tone, to wash up in the kitchen and then use the remaining ingredients to cook dinner for everyone.

I didn't understand why Adrian was so obsessed with testing me.

I even reflected on whether I had failed to give him enough security in our relationship.

Not only that, but I also reassured myself that once Vivian left the country, everything would return to normal.

I never imagined this would be our ending.

I sat slumped on the ground for a long time before slowly standing up.

After arranging for my mother's body to be taken care of, I turned to find Adrian, who was hosting a party.

Right now, I just wanted to leave this island and give my mother a proper burial so she could rest in peace.

But on my way to find Adrian, I kept noticing people holding up their phones.

They were holding up their phones in my direction and taking photos while whispering to each other.

At first, I didn't think much of it until someone suddenly stepped in front of me and shoved their phone in my face.

"You filthy woman! How much did you sell your mother's life for? Maybe I should pull the same stunt in front of Mr. Lawson next time."

The comment section was flooded with insults.

"Wasn't that old hag a swimming champion? How could she not even swim back from such a short distance?"

"Exactly! Who knows what kind of shady tricks she pulled back then to win?"

"I'd be crying if I were Adrian. He's stuck with a poor and vicious mother-in-law and a fiancee who's desperate to climb the social ladder. She's probably putting on an act to manipulate him and gain leverage over her wealthy husband-to-be."