Five years ago, a devastating epidemic broke out in Toronto, claiming countless lives and leaving many injured in its wake.
My parents, both doctors, entered the quarantine zone without hesitation—risking everything to save lives. In the end, they contracted the disease and died unexpectedly. The antidote they poured their lives into developing was later condemned as a fraudulent drug.
I begged for help—from old friends, relatives, anyone who would listen—but was met only with cold rejection and silence.
In my darkest moment, the only one who stood by me was my fiancée. Despite being condemned by those around her, she took care of my parents’ funeral and insisted that we marry.
But years later, after my 99th failed attempt to patent a new drug, I scraped together the last of my money to buy her a bouquet of roses—just so we could go on a date. That was when I accidentally overheard her speaking to her best friend.
“Vivian, this is like the hundredth time Ethan Cole’s patent was denied. I’ve lost count.”
“He’s such a fool,” her best friend replied. “Every time he fails, it’s because you sabotaged it. You gave Gabriel Marcus Ford the core formula behind his back, and he never even realized.”
Then came Vivian Chambers’s voice—calm, detached.
“It’s only the 99th time. What, are you suddenly feeling sorry for him?”
“No… It’s just… You’ve been married for five years. Gabriel’s returning from abroad tomorrow. What if he finds out what you’ve done?”
“Gabriel isn’t some nameless apprentice anymore. He’s a pharmaceutical mogul. Business collaborations like this are perfectly normal.”
“I married Ethan because I couldn’t be with Gabriel. If I can help Gabriel succeed—even from the shadows—it’s all worth it.”
My grip on the flowers tightened. My vision blurred.
So all along, what I believed was redemption… was just a calculated sacrifice.
Vivian married someone she didn’t love, just to pave the way for another man.
If that’s what you wanted, Vivian—then I’ll grant your wish.
——
“But still—” her best friend protested, only to be cut off.
“Even if I hadn’t married Ethan, the Chambers family would never have allowed me to be with Gabriel,” Vivian said flatly. “This was the only way to lift him from the role of a lowly apprentice.
As for Ethan… marrying him was the greatest reward I could offer.”
Her best friend’s voice rose, indignant.
“You gave Gabriel so many ancient recipes before, and he rejected them all. Then he specifically asked for the formula Ethan was working on. He did it on purpose. He’s using you to sabotage him!”
“If this ever comes to light, you and Ethan will be finished. He’ll hate you. You’re all he has left.”
Vivian suddenly stood and downed a glass of wine.
“I know all of that. But Gabriel only has me, too. I can’t watch him suffer overseas with nothing. This will be the last time. Once I get the formula, everything ends. Don’t say another word.”
“But not talking about it won’t make it disappear! Ethan’s been locked in that lab for five years! You let him watch the thief who stole his life’s work walk free, even as the world mocks him. He’s human, Vivian—he doesn’t deserve this—”
With a crash, Vivian hurled her glass to the floor.
“Enough! It’s just five years—not a lifetime!”
“At worst, I’ll buy back the Cole Family Clinic after this is over. Let him reclaim his place as the Cole family’s heir!”
“You’re going too far! Why drag Ethan into this? The Chambers family has more than enough resources—you didn’t have to involve him! Fine, fine… I won’t say another word. Do what you want.”
Their voices faded, and I slid to the floor, leaning weakly against the cold wall.
Five years ago, I lost my parents overnight. The Cole Family Clinic teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. I was just a researcher—clueless, overwhelmed, and drowning.
It was Vivian who pulled me back from the rooftop that day. We rushed to register our marriage, and with the Chambers family name behind her, she helped me tackle every obstacle.
But when her family eventually discovered our marriage, they forced her to file for divorce.
