At a banquet held during Adeline's birthday, Oliver's grandma and Oliver and I almost had no arguments, concealing everything from them.

However, I knew that during this time that Maeve was back, the problem between us would only get bigger each time.

"It's been a long time since I saw you, sis," said Maeve soon after meeting her around the banquet.

"Hearing you call me sister makes me feel sick," I mumbled sarcastically.

I had no idea why Oliver couldn't forget Maeve.

When he chose Maeve, it made me feel like he had bad taste.

I looked around and then turned to face her again. I was aware of the reason she was present. Aside from attending the banquet, just by staring at her, I knew she was ready to embarrass me.

And I wasn't wrong. What I anticipated happened and the red wine accidentally spilled on me. She used her clumsy technique to embarrass me, even in the past year.

Maeve did not realize that Oliver cared deeply about his image. Otherwise, after all these years of marriage, why did everyone only see us as a perfect couple in Rivera City without knowing how much he disliked me?

Despite that, I kept smiling and didn't dig further into the drama she started.

I turned to see Oliver's reaction on the side.

"You've seen it. Since Maeve wants to cause trouble here, let's ask her out. What do you think, Oliver?"

I could sense Oliver's grip on my wrist tightening, yet I was forced to smile widely, even if it was fake.

For a moment, Oliver said, "Maeve, you apologize."

When Oliver mentioned that to Maeve, she was disheartened and tears escaped her eyes. She only left after Oliver apologized again.

After the crowd dispersed, Oliver suppressed his anger and asked, "Are you satisfied?"

"Am I satisfied? Maybe," I mumbled and I was sure that I was.

I stared at my red, painful wrist that I couldn't even lift. My heart was not just sad but weary.

After the party ended and I was leaving, I suddenly felt unwell again.

The pain was intense, making me sweat on my forehead and I couldn't stand up straight. I had to lean against the wall outside just to stay on my feet.

With Oliver beside me, I said, "Oliver, can you take me to the hospital?"

Oliver sighed and said, "Your act of pretending to be sick is familiar, but Vera, whom you expelled, caused Maeve to have a fever now. I don't have time to care for you."

"Oliver, I'm your wife!" I reminded him firmly, fearing he might forget. Perhaps he never treated me as one.

At that moment, all my sadness overflowed and I wondered why he had never shown me any kindness after all these years.

He interrupted with a sneer as I tried to speak, shattering the last of my dignity with his words.

"I once mentioned this since we started talking about this before. You told me you can handle this," Oliver discussed. "If you cannot, then please endure it. Vera, you know this is your own choice, not mine."

As soon as Oliver said that, he turned and started walking away without trying to look back.

At that moment, I was left alone. It was too late for me to react as I had already collapsed from all the pain I had.

When I was sent here to the hospital, however, the doctor wanted me to make a decision as soon as possible.

If only I were to ask, I wouldn't want to have surgery. I was terrified of all the pain I had to endure during the process.

But I knew there was a reason behind everything.

Maybe no one wanted me to live and no one cared that I was alive.

That night, I drank a lot of alcohol and instinctively dialed Oliver's phone.

Suddenly, the door opened and I didn't expect Oliver to come home. After all, between me and Maeve, he never chose me. Even if I am dying, I wouldn't have the chance to be chosen.

So in that moment, with red eyes, I revealed the secret hidden in my heart.

"I'm sick, Oliver," I admitted the truth.

Instead of sympathizing with me, he smirked and looked at me with mockery.

"Do I look like a doctor to you? If you're sick, go find a doctor. Why bother?" He sarcastically mentioned.

"Oliver, can't you just care about me?" I wondered.

"Want to care about warmth? You can go find someone else," he replied.

Upon hearing his cold way of responding to me, I moved my gaze up into his eyes. And instead of crying, I laughed my ass out loud.

"Oliver, I don't owe you anything," I said.

Whether in the past or now, I have never owed him anything.

"Vera, remember, you owe me a lifetime! If it weren't for you, I would have been with Maeve three years ago!" He made it clear and still blamed me for everything.

I suddenly felt exhausted, too tired to keep arguing with him. I unknowingly drifted off to sleep on the sofa.

In my dream, I didn't rest well.

Later, I discovered that Oliver had returned home that night because he had argued with Maeve, not because he was concerned about me.

On Oliver's birthday, he didn't hesitate to agree when I asked him to be home during that day.

Our last argument left us at a distance and we couldn't talk to each other for fifteen days.

Oliver showed something and said, "Look at all of this gift. I bought you during my business trip."

Oliver pushed over a jewelry box containing a diamond bracelet.

It was too rare for me to see him in such an attitude. He wasn't used to being like that. However, I only feel peace in my heart now.

Upon scanning all of it, I recalled Maeve also owned some of the jewelry already.

Maybe life felt like it was nearing its end and I no longer cared about what was right or wrong, even though my heart felt broken.

I brought over the nearly melted cake and placed candles in it.

"Oliver, can't you make a wish?" Out of curiosity, I asked.

He lowered his head and looked at his phone, seeming indifferent.

"I never believed in this," he replied.

'Tell me, maybe I can help you achieve it," I added, wanting to lend a hand.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes full of teasing, "Okay, I want a divorce."

My smile froze and I said, "Okay, then let's get a divorce."

Oliver was stunned for a second. It was as if he did not expect it; I would tell him.

"Happy birthday, Oliver!" I greeted and felt like I was on cloud nine. "This will be the last time I greet you. Happiest birthday to you. I hope you'll enjoy your day."

"Fine. Let's meet in the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow. I remember you won't lie, right?" he said.

I nodded my head and said I would do it as usual.

Tomorrow came. I stood at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, staring at all the people coming in and out to register around me.

Suddenly, I recalled when I stood here with hope and was on cloud nine.

I believed I could change his feelings back then, but his heart was too cold. I couldn't warm him or embrace him.

"Vera Walter."

Out of the blue, he called my name suddenly. I wiped the tears from my eyes and turned around to face him.

He said, "You have lost a lot of weight."

I stood still for a moment, then silently turned around. My eyes lowered before instantly welling up with redness again.

Well, I didn't even know I had lost much weight.

Five years passed and it was the first time Oliver had set sights on me.

After leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau office, my stomach began to hurt again and sweat formed on my forehead.

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" He suddenly offered.

Perhaps because I no longer held onto that former identity, Oliver showed me a rare touch of patience and tenderness.

"Oliver, the things I once wished for are no longer important now."

Without me around, Oliver carried on with his life. He went to bars after work with friends and sometimes traveled with Maeve.

I could sense he was happier than usual.

Seeing a few fleeting smiles from him was typical.

When Oliver received a photo while accompanying Maeve at the competition, it was badly damaged, showing only a torn red bow with the letter "W."

"Do you recognize this photo?" Dalton asked.

Oliver suddenly trembled, visibly shaken and silent, which was unusual for him.

The red ribbon was a gift from Oliver on my 18th birthday. He said he crafted it himself, making it one-of-a-kind and special.

"Yesterday, I saw a photo online from a crashed plane. It looks just like the one you gave to Vera," Dalton informed him. "Have you heard anything about Vera recently?"

When Oliver read these messages, his brow furrowed even more tightly.

He began calling and texting me frantically but got no answer.

"Vera, this better be a joke!" he shouted.

"But Oliver, this time, I'm not joking with you. You won't reach me on that call," I mumbled, but I knew he wouldn't hear or see me. I was now a ghost watching over him. But I was like air, invisible in his eyes.

I died, just not in a hospital. I died in that plane crash, heading into the clouds.