Chapter 6

Liam rushed back. I was staring at the mushy, overcooked porridge, my head aching from the sheer effort of trying to swallow it. I’d managed a few spoonfuls, but threw them all up.

I drank some sugar water, forcing it down.

"Avery, what exactly are you doing?" He struggled to keep his voice low, trying to control his anger.

"Could you cook me a bowl of noodles?" Liam was an excellent cook; his noodles were especially delicious.

But he hadn't cooked in ages. I couldn't remember if it was because he was too busy with work or for some other reason.

I had been on a liquid diet for so many days, drinking everything through a straw. For some reason, I just really wanted noodles—the kind Liam made. I'd tried many restaurants, but none tasted like his.

I knew I wouldn't be able to swallow them, but just smelling them would be enough.

"She's already in such a state, please, just leave her alone, okay?" he pleaded.

His words were like a knife, twisting raw in my bleeding heart. I remembered back when our love was at its peak, I'd told him he was my closest confidant.

I truly believed that then, but I never expected that period of closeness to be so brief.

"Divorce me? Then I won't go near her." I insisted stubbornly.

"You're utterly unreasonable!" Infuriated, he turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.

Liam once said he'd never let me regret marrying him.

But I did regret it.

I also couldn't understand why I wanted a divorce so badly when I only had a few days left anyway.

But every time I thought about those days, it made me sick. Do people really change so suddenly? How could he do this to me? How could he?

Why did I lay my heart bare only to have it trampled on? They all seemed to delight in crushing me. Can't I just… escape?

I insisted on visiting Selena every day. Anyone who didn't know us would truly think we had a deep sisterly bond. And then I finally realized whose food she was eating.

Selena caught my gaze on her food and challenged me, a taunting glint in her eyes. "Want some? Liam made it. It's the only thing I can stomach these days."

For the first time, I almost lost it right there in front of her.

I hadn't even left the hospital when Liam called. His voice was laced with irritation. "Avery, please stop this. Selena is sick."

"Divorce me! Then I'll stop," I replied, repeating the same words.

I reached the crosswalk, a desperate urge to just… step in front of a car. But then a thought flashed through my mind: that wouldn't be fair to anyone. Everyone's struggling. I couldn't just create more trouble for others, even in death.

I stepped back, watching the teeming crowds, cars rushing by.

My mind was filled with images of Liam cooking for Selena. The irony was suffocating. He always looked so tired, and I'd always been considerate, learning to cook his favorite dishes and waiting for him to come home, even when I couldn't eat anything myself.

I understood his exhaustion, yet he was painstakingly preparing nutritious meals for Selena every day.

Liam, how could you?

If I had the time, I would take him to court, fight him tooth and nail. But I only had my final days left.

Perhaps fate intervened, or maybe Selena finally cracked.

That day, I went to see Selena again.

We stood at the stairwell, arguing. I envied her how easily she could yell, how much energy she had.

My mom had called Liam, and Selena was crying, her face wet with tears. "I really don't want to see you. Just die!"

I remained silent. She reached out and grabbed my arm, shaking me violently. "What do you want?"

I turned to look at Liam, my intention clear.

Selena was incredibly agitated. She tugged at me, lost her balance, and almost fell down the stairs.

Then I saw Liam rush forward in a panic, catching her.

I tumbled down the stairs. At the landing, there were some glass shards. I put my hand out to break my fall. *CRASH!*

The glass shattered. My white sweater was soaked with blood, my arm covered in glass fragments. There were some on my face too. I must have looked terrible, so ugly.

I hadn't looked good in a long time. I couldn't even bear to look in a mirror. I was so ugly!

Liam rushed down, his voice frantic. "What happened? How did you get like this?"

Blood stained my sweater red. Liam tried to pick me up, but I pushed against his chest, fighting back my tears. "Will you divorce me? Please? If you divorce me, I won't come here anymore."

"I promise I won't bother you two again."

"Please, divorce me?"

I truly didn't have much time left. I couldn't afford to wait, I couldn't delay, and I didn't want to see Selena.

Even more, I didn't want to see my mom, clucking protectively over Selena like a mother hen.