When my

3

3

When Levi arrived at the hospital, Ella had already woken up, her face pale.

He walked gently into the ward, placed the takeout box on the bedside table, and said softly, “You’re awake. I brought you some supplements.”

He opened the takeout box.

He picked up a spoon and then brought it to Ella’s mouth.

Ella slightly opened her mouth, letting him feed her.

I stood in the air, watching this scene, and a surge of complex emotions rose in my heart.

There was envy, jealousy, and a hint of bitterness.

I once yearned for such care and tenderness, but reality let me down every time.

I recalled the days when I lay alone in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy, and Levi knew nothing about it.

I was afraid of hindering his work at the police station, so I always faced the pain alone.

Sometimes, when I was hungry, I would just buy a piece of bread to get by. I never had such treatment.

Watching Levi gently take care of Ella, the pain in my heart grew stronger.

I was once his wife, his closest person, yet he gave this tenderness to someone else.

After a few bites of porridge, Ella said softly, “I’m full.”

Levi picked up a wet wipe, gently wiped Ella’s mouth, and tucked her blanket in.

He got up to leave but was grabbed by Ella.

“Wait until I fall asleep before you go, okay?” Ella’s voice carried a hint of pleading.

Levi looked at her, hesitation flashing in his eyes, but he eventually nodded and turned to sit down.

I stood aside, watching their interaction, feeling a mix of emotions.

Watching Ella’s fragile demeanor, a surge of contempt rose in my heart.

She held Levi’s hand as if she were afraid he would suddenly disappear.

Was she really that pitiable?

No wonder Levi was willing to stay with her, to be by her side.

Unfortunately, I knew Ella’s true nature.

Beneath her seemingly harmless exterior, she hid cruelty and ruthlessness.

She didn’t kill me with her own hands, but after I died, she slowly peeled my skin away.

Watching her treat me like a piece of art was something I could never forget.

Suddenly, Ella woke up as if from a nightmare.

She tightly grabbed Levi’s hand, “Levi, I had a nightmare. Am I going to die? I’m still scared the cancer won’t be cured!” Her eyes were red, and tears kept falling onto Levi’s arm.

Levi looked at her, his heart full of pity and helplessness.

He held Ella tightly in his arms, wanting to comfort her.

A sly look flashed in Ella’s eyes, as if she had noticed Levi’s thoughts.

“Levi, have you contacted your wife? You shouldn’t stay with me, go find her,” she said, her voice filled with urgency and concerň.

Upon hearing this, Levi instinctively reached for his pocket.

He felt the medicine bottle and clenched it tightly.

His mind was in turmoil.

“Don’t worry about her, she’ll come back,” Levi said, his voice filled with irritation and impatience.

“You sleep first. I’ll go ask the doctor about your condition,” Levi said as he got up and left the ward.

Ella watched him leave, a smug smile forming on her lips.

Levi left the room and found the doctor.

Surprisingly, he didn’t ask about Ella’s condition but instead took out the medicine bottle from his pocket.

“Doctor, please check this for me. What medicine is this?” His voice carried a hint of nervousness and anticipation. The doctor took the bottle and looked at it, his brows furrowed.

“This is anti–cancer medication,” his voice was calm and serious.

Levi’s body shook violently upon hearing the doctor’s words.

He asked, his voice trembling, “Anti–cancer? Are you sure?”

A wave of inexplicable panic and unease surged in his heart.

The doctor nodded and looked at the name and dosage on the bottle..

“Isn’t this Isla’s medication? She didn’t come for her chemotherapy yesterday, and no one answered when I called. Who are you to her?” the doctor asked in confusion. “I’m her husband,” Levi’s voice was low and hoarse.

His mind was in turmoil, as if something inside him was collapsing.

Hearing this, the doctor frowned even more. “She came for chemotherapy so many times, and I’ve never seen you here. You should be more attentive to your wife. Every time she came alone, she had to buy a piece of bread to stave off hunger. You’re so neglectful.”

The doctor’s words pierced Levi’s heart.

Levi stood there, seemingly deaf to everything.

His mind was in chaos, with images of Isla alone in the hospital for chemotherapy surfacing in his thoughts. His heart ached with each thought.

Levi’s phone suddenly vibrated, breaking the silence.

He absentmindedly answered the call, hearing the urgent voice of an officer.

“Mr. Miller, the DNA results are out. Come to the station quickly.”

He stood up abruptly, not bothering to inform Ella, and quickly rushed out of the ward, running towards the police

station.

As he ran, a strong sense of unease surged within Levi.

He felt as if something was gradually out of his control.

Pushing open the door to the police station, he found the room dead silent.

The officers‘ expressions were solemn as they cautiously handed him the report, each of their gazes filled with pity. “Why are you giving it to me? Just tell me who it is,” Levi’s voice trembled. He tried to maintain his composure, but his inner turmoil was evident.

The room remained silent; no one answered his question.

The officers avoided his gaze.

One officer gathered the courage and said weakly, “Mr. Miller, you’d better look for yourself.”

Levi opened the report, his eyes fell on my name, and his hands suddenly trembled!