A testament to a love that no longer existed.
Adrian Farley swept into the public eye, and he took me with him.
The university forums were relentless. *Adrian treats her like a princess. Their love restores my faith in romance.* Post after post, comment after comment.
And back then? I believed every word.
Heaven had cursed me with a crippled heart, but it had compensated me with Adrian Farley. That's what I told myself. That's what made the endless hospital visits bearable.
Then came Zoe Preston.
She slipped into our lives like smoke through a cracked window—a junior in Adrian's research group. At first, it was innocent. Academic discussions after class. Competition prep sessions.
Then meals.
Then walks home.
Adrian mentioned her casually at first. "She's hardworking. Real talent for medicine."
But her name started falling from his lips with increasing frequency. Like a song he couldn't stop humming.
"Fiona, Zoe is so clumsy sometimes. Still asks me about the simplest questions."
"Fiona, Zoe got a reservation at that exclusive Sichuan place. But your heart can't handle spice, so I'm not taking you."
"Fiona..."
He eventually left that project group.
Because I forced him to.
Now, staring at the empty apartment, I printed a fresh copy of the divorce agreement. My hand didn't shake as I signed it. I left it on the living room table where he couldn't miss it, grabbed my luggage, and walked out.
Before shutting the door, I sent Adrian a text.
*The divorce papers are on the table. Refuse to sign, and I'll see you in court.*
By the time my parents called, I had already secured a rental. I answered via video. My mother's background was the very apartment they had bought me before the marriage.
"Fiona! Why are you being so stubborn?" Her face contorted with frustration. "Look at you—"
I hung up.
My thumbs moved across the screen.
*Mom, this is between Adrian and me. Keep pushing, and I don't know what I might do.*
A notification pinged from the "A Loving Family" group chat. Dad.
*Fiona Mason, we have spoiled you rotten all these years!*
*Adrian treats you like gold—what exactly are you making a fuss about?*
*Let me tell you, if you insist on this divorce, then I, Zion Mason, have no daughter!*
I left the group chat. Blocked both their numbers.
In the capital, every inch of land costs a fortune. Renting a decent place wasn't cheap. But I had savings. During graduate school, I'd studied design and posted my work online. Over time, a following accumulated. Commissions filled my inbox constantly.
Adrian had always insisted my health was too fragile for work.
But now...
I opened my dashboard, scrolled through the requests, and picked a few that sparked my interest.
*Omg, Master! You actually replied!*
*Happy dance.jpg*
*Risveglio, add me on WeChat, let's talk details.*
*Okay!*
After finalizing everything, I threw myself into the work. Body and soul.
As expected, I worked myself right back into the hospital.
This time, my attending physician had changed. The name tag read *Dr. Simmons*.
"Did you bring your previous medical records?"
I handed over the file. He looked up. His eyes widened.
"Is there a problem, Doctor?"
"Senior Sister Fiona?"
"You know me?"
"Same year as Dr. Preston." A polite smile played on his lips. "Followed Senior Brother Adrian on a few projects too. You might not remember me. Mason Simmons."
The world really was too small.
...
Three days in the hospital. Neither Adrian nor Zoe appeared.
According to the nurses, they were away on a business trip.
Bored in my ward, I watched the TV mounted on the wall. An interview program was airing.
Adrian's face filled the screen.
"Being able to win this honor... I owe everything to my wife."
