Chapter 3

Kathleen waited until the voices faded before opening her tear-reddened eyes.

Her aunt Ellen had found the liver donor. When Kathleen told Joshua, his excitement seemed genuine. She thought he was happy for her. Now she knew he rejoiced for another woman. He never intended for her to live.

She grabbed her phone and texted Ellen, urging her to secure the donor and keep Joshua from interfering.

"Sweetheart, you're awake! You scared me to death," Joshua said, his eyes rimming with red.

He clasped Kathleen's hand, pressing it to his cheek with a tenderness that could move anyone.

"Your marriage is just too perfect, Mrs. Hayes," a young nurse said, her voice full of envy. "That woman next door? Her husband hasn't visited once in two weeks. You're so lucky."

Kathleen forced a smile, but it was bitter.

The nurse didn't know Kathleen envied that woman. At least she wasn't left broken after every hope crumbled.

"I want to visit my parents' house," Kathleen said hoarsely.

Joshua froze, his smile unnatural. "Why go there? It'll only upset you. Once you're recovered from the transplant, we'll move back. For now, focus on getting well."

His lying eyes held no guilt. Kathleen swallowed her bitterness.

"It's because of the surgery. I want to see their place, ask for their blessing to live a long life," she said.

Joshua didn't catch the edge in her words. He blinked, slipping back into his doting expression. "Alright, whatever you want. It's a bit messy there, though. I'll have it cleaned first."

Kathleen nodded. She knew he needed time to prepare.

She didn't want a confrontation with the other woman. She just wanted to sell the house before leaving.

It once held memories worth keeping, but now it was tainted, no longer worth her attachment.

Fate, however, was cruel. She wanted to avoid the woman, but the woman came to her.

That afternoon, a new patient arrived-a woman in her fifties. It was Ella Campbell's mother.

Kathleen saw Ella in person for the first time.

"Hi, I'm Ella. My mom's having a transplant soon too." Ella said, standing by Kathleen's bed with a provocative smirk, extending her hand.

Kathleen gave her a cold glance. Ella wasn't prettier-perhaps more flashy, but men didn't care when they strayed.

Kathleen didn't shake her hand or engage. She couldn't keep her husband's heart. How could she blame the other woman's scheming?

Embarrassment flickered in Joshua's eyes. He avoided Ella's gaze and helped Kathleen sip water.

Ella bit her lip, visibly fuming.

She had just received Joshua's call, telling her and her daughter to move out of the Walton house.

Ella didn't care about living there, but knowing it would torment Kathleen, she begged Joshua to let them stay. They had lived there for three years.

Ella thrived on winning. Joshua always kept her away from Kathleen, but now that Kathleen was dying, Ella had no reservations.

"I heard you found a liver donor too? Hope nothing goes wrong," Ella said, her tone taunting.

"Enough!" Joshua snapped, smashing the glass in his hand. He glared at Ella. "If you can't speak properly, shut up. My wife doesn't care, but I'm not so forgiving. Say another word, and you're out of this hospital."

Kathleen leaned against the headboard, silently applauding Joshua's performance.

What an actor. Did he plan to deceive her until her death? Her heart ached.

Too weak to confront his hypocrisy, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

She cared less about fighting them than healing her body. Without Joshua, she'd grieve, shadowed by his betrayal for a long time. But now, more than ever, she wanted to live.

Because only by living could she make them pay.

In the middle of the night, Kathleen woke, thirsty. Joshua was gone.

She stepped out of her room and heard muffled sounds from the stairwell.

It was the unmistakable panting of a man and woman lost in passion. She knew that voice-Joshua.

Clutching her aching chest, she nudged the stairwell door open. A couple was entwined, lost in each other.

"Oh... honey, why were you so harsh this afternoon? I was so hurt," Ella said, clinging to Joshua's neck, her voice breathless.

"Are you regretting giving the liver to my mom? I knew you still have feelings for that woman," she added.

Joshua silenced her with a kiss. "Don't talk nonsense. The liver is definitely for your mom. I was just mad you acted on your own. Didn't I put your mom in a private room? Why insist on moving her to a regular ward with Kathleen?"

Ella smirked. "I just wanted to rile Kathleen up. She's always hogging you."

Joshua's movements grew more intense, the sounds of their bodies colliding piercing Kathleen's ears.

"You little minx, let me show you your punishment," he said.

...

Kathleen didn't know when she bit her lip so hard it bled, filling her mouth with a metallic taste.

So, Joshua's claim that the last private room was booked was a lie-he reserved it for Ella's mother.

The couple in the stairwell continued. Kathleen returned to her room like a walking corpse.

She thought deciding to leave would shield her from more pain. But seeing Joshua and Ella together, defiling her presence, tore at her insides.

She wasn't a saint. She couldn't remain unmoved.