Echoes of a Broken Vow

Kathleen Walton suffered from liver cancer and needed a transplant. She discovered her husband of five years, Joshua Hayes, planned to give her liver donor to someone else. He also had a mistress and a child.

The truth shattered Kathleen's heart.

An unfaithful man was worthless, but she resolved to reclaim the liver meant for her.

Kathleen dialed a number she hadn't called in five years. "I'm going to Jaxperton for surgery. Pick me up in three days."

After she left, Joshua lost his mind.

...

In her third year with liver cancer, Kathleen finally found a suitable donor.

When her doctor called, Joshua tucked her blanket gently and stepped onto the balcony to take the call.

He always spoke to doctors privately to spare her worry. That day, Kathleen felt a sudden urge. She grabbed the Bluetooth earpiece from the bedside, slipped it into her ear, and cracked the balcony door open.

"Are you sure you want to give Kathleen's liver to Ella's mother?" a voice asked.

"I'm sure. I can't watch Ella lose her mother. She gave me a daughter," Joshua replied.

"But Kathleen might only have three months left without the transplant," the voice pressed.

"She has three months. She can wait. Another will come," Joshua said.

Their words hit Kathleen like a thunderbolt. Her ears rang, her mind went blank, and one phrase echoed endlessly. "She gave me a daughter."

Everyone knew Joshua adored her. Over three years, countless hospital stays saw him care for her tirelessly.

She disliked hospital food, so he drove back and forth six times a day to bring her meals he cooked himself.

During her brushes with death, he knelt outside operating rooms, praying. He even spent a day worshiping at a church to secure her a blessing.

How could a man so devoted betray her?

Footsteps snapped Kathleen out of her thoughts. She convinced herself she misheard.

They loved each other for ten years. Even as her illness worsened, he never spoke of giving up. He wouldn't betray her.

As she reached to remove the earpiece, a new call came in. "Hello? Honey, it's our daughter's birthday. When are you coming?" a soft feminine voice asked.

Kathleen's world crumbled again.

"I'm on my way," Joshua answered tenderly.

"Daddy, I want that Barbie doll we saw at the mall!" a child's voice chimed.

"I already got your gift, sweetheart. Wait for me," Joshua said.

Tears spilled as Kathleen removed the earpiece.

She clung to hope moments ago, but now her body felt ice-cold. Joshua had another family?

At eighteen, Joshua came to the Walton family after his parents' death left him alone. Kathleen fell for his melancholic eyes and quiet demeanor at first sight.

Their love flowed naturally from college to marriage. Joshua treated her like a princess, vowing to her parents he'd cherish her forever.

During her illness, he stayed by her side, never complaining despite her volatile moods.

On countless painful nights, he held her close, crying, begging her to hold on and not leave him. She survived each crisis for him.

She thought a transplant would bring light after darkness. She never imagined a worse hell awaited.

"Why are you crying?" Joshua asked, rushing in.

He set down his phone and pulled her into his arms with concern. "Are you worried about the surgery? It's okay. I just spoke with Brennen. Once the donor passes, we'll schedule it. You'll be fine."

Kathleen felt dazed. This man seemed as caring as ever. Without overhearing, she might never have known how deeply he deceived her.

"Rest now. I have urgent business at the office. I'll be back soon," Joshua said.

Kathleen instinctively grabbed his arm. She never doubted him before, but was he really going to the office?

"Can you warm me a glass of milk?" she asked softly.

Joshua smiled, touched her head fondly, and left the room. Kathleen's hands trembled as she unlocked his phone. The password, her birthday, never changed.

She checked his call log. It showed a call with "Manager Brown" two minutes ago. She knew that wasn't Brown's number.

Pain gripped her chest. His lies were so clumsy, yet she never suspected.

"Here, sweetheart. It's a bit hot, so wait before drinking. I'm in a rush, so I'll go now," Joshua said. He kissed her forehead and hurried out.

Kathleen sneered. He couldn't wait to leave.

Ten minutes later, she opened her phone's GPS.

She never tracked him before, almost forgetting he installed a tracker on his car to give her peace of mind.

Now, it felt like a cruel joke.

Her eyes widened at the location. His car was at her parents' villa.

Three years ago, a car accident killed her parents instantly.

Kathleen survived but was diagnosed with cancer. She nearly gave up, but Joshua's constant presence kept her alive.

To avoid painful memories, he moved them to a new apartment. She hadn't returned to her parents' home in years. Why was he there?

She remembered installing cameras at her parents' villa. When the footage loaded, Kathleen froze.

The villa looked unchanged, but her parents were gone. A woman and child moved through the space instead.

"Daddy! You're here!" a girl, about four or five, ran into Joshua's arms as he entered. He lifted her, then pulled the woman into a kiss.

"Honey, I haven't seen you in days. I thought you'd miss Tara's birthday," the woman said, sniffling.

"She just got out of the hospital. I came as soon as I could. Don't be upset. Look what I brought," Joshua said gently.

He handed the girl a Barbie doll set and gave the woman a jewelry box.

Kathleen recognized it instantly-a limited-edition necklace from a luxury brand.

Joshua promised to buy it for her birthday in three days. Now, he placed it around another woman's neck.

Kathleen's heart felt carved apart, lash by lash.

He kept her from her parents' home not to spare her grief but to hide his mistress there.

She told herself to stop, but she couldn't. She opened older footage, stifling sobs as grief overwhelmed her.

Joshua and the woman fucked in her parents' home-on the sofa where she once lay, in her mother's favorite kitchen, on her father's favorite rocking chair, even in their old bedroom.

Their wedding photo still hung on the wall, mocking her as their affair tainted every corner.

Kathleen's tears turned to bitter laughter. The sordid images screamed she was a fool, played by everyone.

She wiped her eyes and called her aunt. "Ellen, I changed my mind. I'm going to Jaxperton for surgery. Pick me up in three days."

Joshua's love was a lie. Her supposed salvation was a cruel trick. If she was no longer loved, she wouldn't cling to him. It was time to end it all.

Joshua returned home at eleven that night. Over the years, no matter his obligations, he always came back before midnight, never staying out overnight.

Who could have imagined such a model man had another family?

Joshua opened the bedroom door and saw Kathleen's red, tear-streaked eyes. He froze, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Sorry, sweetheart, I'm late. Are you overthinking again? I brought you some seafood chowder. Have some before bed."

He gently helped Kathleen sit up. Joshua's thoughtfulness showed in small gestures, like bringing home her favorite foods when he returned late.

She once believed meeting and marrying him was a gift from fate.

That night, she learned the truth. The food Joshua brought home, like the seafood chowder, was leftovers from Ella and her daughter.

Kathleen had forced herself to watch the surveillance footage of their family. The little girl took one sip of the chowder and spat it back into the bowl.

"Daddy, why does this fancy restaurant's chowder taste so bad?" the girl asked.

Joshua glanced at her, chuckling as he served her something else. "Tara, if you don't like it, don't drink it. I'll take it with me."

"But Daddy, I spat in it," the girl said.

Joshua shrugged, unbothered. "No problem. I'll take it for the dogs. They won't mind."

Kathleen watched Joshua hold a spoon, waiting expectantly for her to open her mouth. Her stomach churned violently.

How many times had she eaten such leftovers, tainted with someone else's spit? She was the dog in Joshua's eyes.

Kathleen gagged and rushed to the bathroom. She vomited until the world spun, then collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down her face.

She murmured inwardly, "Why, Joshua? If you don't love me, why pretend to care so deeply?"

"Are you okay, sweetheart? I'm sorry, I didn't know you weren't in the mood for chowder. It's my fault. Open the door, let me see you, please?" Joshua's voice carried urgency from outside.

Kathleen pressed her hands to her face, stifling her sobs. Why did he treat her this way?

That night, Kathleen spiked a fever. Joshua rushed her to the hospital.

She didn't know how long she slept. The sound of Joshua talking with Brennen Fuller, her doctor and his cousin, stirred her awake. She kept her eyes closed.

"Joshua, Kathleen's condition is critical. She might not last a month. Are you still giving that liver to someone else?" Brennen asked.

After a few seconds of silence, Joshua spoke. "I'm sticking with my decision. You didn't see Ella crying in front of me. I can't bear it. For Kathleen, I'll find another liver in time."

"But how will you tell her?" Brennen pressed.

Joshua's voice turned cold. "I'll say the donor's family backed out. She won't suspect anything."

Brennen hesitated. "But Kathleen is your lawful wife. The Walton family gave you your status. Can you really be so heartless?"

Joshua gave a low, bitter laugh. "Yes, I owe my success to the Waltons. But haven't I been good to Kathleen? How many men would do what I've done? Even when her illness left her unable to have children, did I ever complain? I've got nothing to feel guilty about."

Kathleen's hands clenched the bedsheet under the blanket. Her heart felt as if it had been carved out.

So, his fidelity during her illness justified his betrayal?

Whether he felt no guilt or was deluding himself, only he knew.

"Don't you care if she lives or dies?" Brennen asked.

Joshua didn't answer. His fingers brushed Kathleen's cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

His touch was gentle, yet every inch of skin he grazed burned with unbearable pain.

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.