Despite the resentment churning in my gut over his history with Sloane, I bit my tongue and tolerated his frequent hospital visits, telling myself she didn't have much time left. However, two weeks later, he suddenly approached me, a hesitant look on his face, saying he had something to discuss.

I didn't know what it was, but seeing his serious expression, a knot of dread tightened in my stomach.

After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke in a firm tone that left no room for argument. "I want to have a child with Sloane."

"What?" My mind went completely blank. What was he saying? Was my husband actually telling me he wanted to have a baby with another woman?

Wyatt glanced at me, nodded, and then continued, "Sloane stayed single all these years for me. Now that she's dying, I have to fulfill her wish."

His cheeks flushed, as if embarrassed by his own admission. "Sloane... I'm the only man she's ever loved. So, I've decided to have this child with her."

Noticing my stiff expression, he quickly added, "I've discussed it with her. After the child is born, we can raise it together. That should be fine, right?"

I stared at him in disbelief, then shot to my feet. "What in the world are you talking about, Wyatt? You want to have a child with Sloane and expect me to raise it? I refuse. I will never accept this."

"I’ve put up with you running to her side every single day, and now you're telling me you're going to cheat on me? What is wrong with you, Wyatt?"

My anger flared, burning away all reason. Because I loved him, I had tolerated his lingering feelings for Sloane. I had even accepted him going to take care of her.

However, his words were a vicious slap to my face—stinging and humiliating.

Wyatt was stunned, seemingly unprepared for such a vehement reaction from his usually compliant wife. When he snapped out of it, he roared, "What the hell are you getting so worked up about, Aveline? I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm informing you."

He frowned, looking at my flushed face with irritation. "Besides, marrying you doesn't mean you own me. I don't need your permission to have a child with someone else."

"Most importantly, if you hadn't wedged yourself between us back then, Sloane and I would have been together long ago. You swooped in when I was at my lowest!" With that, he shot me a resentful glare.

Suddenly, the fight drained out of me. I never imagined he would blame me for his breakup with Sloane.

Back then, a video of Wyatt accepting bribes to throw a game was leaked. Overnight, he went from a celebrated rising star to a disgrace in the sports world. His girlfriend at the time, Sloane, found out and immediately abandoned him, disappearing without a trace. His parents, who had been university professors their whole lives, couldn't handle the shock and both fell ill.

That was when I, having secretly loved him for years, stepped in. And it was true—I had swooped in at his absolute lowest.

But I had no choice. From the first time I saw him in college, I knew he was the one. Everyone knew about his relationship with Sloane, and I never dreamed of getting between them.

When she left and he was drowning in despair, I couldn't bear to stand by and do nothing.

I stayed by his side for two years as he battled depression. I never knew if it was my devotion that finally moved him or if he'd simply let go of Sloane, but two years later, he proposed. I thought my love had finally won.

Even after we were married, I continued to care for him meticulously. I never dared to slack off for a moment, terrified his depression would relapse.

But now, six years later, he was claiming that his history with Sloane was my fault.

What a monumental joke. With a single sentence, he had nullified years of my sacrifice and devotion.

"What am I to you, Wyatt? A walking ATM you toss aside when you’re done?" I screamed, my voice cracking.

My eyes burned with fury. My lips trembled, but I couldn't form a complete sentence.

I couldn't understand how he could do this to me. We had been married for six years. Did he even have a heart?

"Do you have to make this so ugly, Aveline?" he said, his expression laced with disgust. "Forget it. I don't care what you think, I'm having a child with Sloane."

I was about to argue when his phone rang. The ringtone was unique. A custom one. I knew instantly it was Sloane.

Her voice came through the phone, faint and weak. "Wyatt, it's happening again, my whole body hurts. I want to see you... can you come over?"

Sloane's voice sounded so fragile. I watched the concern and a tenderness I had never received flash in his eyes.

I instinctively grabbed his arm. "I don't agree, Wyatt. You're my husband—"

He shook my hand off, his face etched with impatience. "Stop making a scene, Aveline. Sloane is sick; she needs me right now. I know you're jealous, but can you not be like this? Now is not the time."

"Can't you stop making everything about you for one second? Sloane doesn't have much time."

His brows were tightly furrowed, as if I was the one being unreasonable. In that moment, I felt my heart splinter into a thousand pieces.

"Wyatt," I called out weakly. "It's me or Sloane. You have to choose."

"Do you have to be like this, Aveline? Sloane is sick, and you're going to pick a fight with a patient? Fine, you want an answer? I choose Sloane! There, are you happy now?"

"Since you've made your choice, let's get a divorce, Wyatt," I said, my jaw aching from how hard I was clenching it. "If you're so hung up on Sloane, there's no reason for me to stay. Let's just stop torturing each other."

I couldn't understand why, if he couldn't forget Sloane, he wouldn't just let me go. Did he really think I'd let him walk all over me like some doormat for the rest of our lives?

I had turned a blind eye to too many things in the past. But I wasn't going to tolerate him anymore.

It wasn't like he was the only man in the world. I could start over anytime I wanted.

Hearing this, Wyatt's eyes widened in disbelief. He grabbed my arm and demanded, "What's gotten into you, Aveline? What do you mean by that? You want a divorce?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Isn't it obvious? Or do you want me to sit here and watch you cheat on me right in front of my face?"

His expression froze for a second, then he sneered, "Don't bother with these pathetic threats, Aveline. They won't work. And mark my words, when this divorce goes through, I won't take you back, no matter how much you beg."

"I won't. I'll have the divorce papers ready as soon as possible. All you have to do is sign."

In that moment, an inexplicable calm settled over me. Perhaps his actions had finally forced me to see the truth.

I realized he didn't love me, and no matter what I did, it wouldn't change a thing. Now that Sloane was back, he no longer needed me.

Noticing my seriousness, his face darkened with anger, and he glared at me. "Are you serious, Aveline? Fine. Let's get a divorce. Whoever backs down is a coward!" With that, he grabbed his coat and stormed out the door.