At the family dinner, my whole family was infected with prions after eating wild kangaroo meat.

Fortunately, the only company that produces the specific for prion infection was owned by my husband.

He readily agreed to give me the specific medicine but told me that he had forgotten this while I was waiting happily.

I lost my senses when I watched helplessly as my family vomited blood uncontrollably.

The light on the emergency room's door was finally off, and doctors only pushed out eleven corpses.

When my three-year-old brother was in critical condition, I finally got through to Zachary, only to hear a reproach in a coquettish voice on the other end of the line.

"Look at how late at night it is now. Why are you still bothering Zachary?"

I said in a quivering voice, "Where is the specific I need?

"Didn't you promise to bring it to me today?"

After a while, I only heard Zachary's nonchalant voice.

"Oh, I've been too busy to remember it. I'll arrange for someone to give it to you later."

At the same moment, the electrocardiogram monitor in the emergency room screeched.

I lost my whole family that night.

"Where's the specific? Why haven't you got it yet? Ms. Yates, we can't save the patient without the specific!"

A doctor pushed open the door of the emergency room and urged me in deep anxiety.

"Hurry! Your brother only has extremely weak vital signs left now!"

I knew the doctor was not lying.

This virus infection was indeed deadly, for my family who had celebrated my birthday with me last week were now cold corpses in the morgue.

My mother, who had personally made a cake for me last week, and my father, who had turned down an important meeting for my birthday, were among them.

Now, my younger brother was still lying in the emergency room.

A week ago, he happily told me he was looking forward to kindergarten life, holding my hand.

Abruptly stung by the memory, I awakened from the overwhelming sadness.

I mechanically murmured, "I'll receive it. I'll receive it. I'll receive the specific. It will be delivered here soon."

I kept repeating it, cheering myself up.

But as time went by, I still couldn't get through to my husband, Zachary Farrell.

He owned the only company that produced the specific.

He had promised to deliver the specific to me this morning.

However, it was already late at night. Why did he fail to keep his promise?

I numbly called Zachary again and again, but all I got was the cold busy signal.

I had no choice but to call his assistant.

The assistant said impatiently after a cold snort, "I've told you so many times that Mr. Farrell is busy! Can you stop troubling him?

"What specific? Mr. Farrell never told me about that. I have no idea what you are talking about."

I begged humbly for help but was hung up on countless times.

I could do nothing but keep calling Zachary like mad, wishing he would answer.

From dawn to night, I had watched helplessly as my family vomited blood and were declared dead after all vain attempts at resuscitation.

These were eleven lives! They were all my beloved family!

The specific was right in Zachary's company. But why had things ended up this way?

I didn't have time to wipe away my tears when the light on the emergency room door was turned on again.

The buzz of the medical apparatus reminded me that my brother was still undergoing resuscitation.

I kept pressing my phone screen hard, wishing I could get through to Zachary and question him where he was by doing this.

Just when I was on the verge of a breakdown, the call was finally connected.

A coquettish reproach came from the other end of the line. "Look at how late at night it is now. Why are you still bothering Zachary?"

It was from Charlotte, who used to be an orphan but had been adopted by the Farrell family and had henceforth become Zachary's younger sister.

"Why is she with Zachary so late at night?"

I wondered, but this was not what I cared much about at present.

I cut to the chase. "Where's the medicine? Where's the medicine Zachary has promised me?"

Charlotte replied with heavy impatience, "He's at my place. What do you want to do?"

Suddenly, I heard someone take away the phone, and Zachary's voice sounded.

"I forgot about the medicine because I was too busy. I'll have someone deliver it to you later."

I couldn't believe he could have forgotten about such a matter of urgency.

I tried my best to ignore my splitting headache and softened my voice.

"Zachary, doctors are trying to resuscitate my brother. They told me the specific is indispensable. I beg you, can you please..."

Zachary interrupted me impatiently halfway through my plea.

"Okay, I got it."

In fear that he would hang up the phone, I hurriedly added, "Send it to me now, please.

"Send it now.

"My brother is still in the emergency room..."

Zachary snapped, "Is what I said so difficult for you to understand?

"Sharon Yates, I've already promised to deliver it to you, but why are you still being unreasonable?

"If you nag again, you can only come and get it yourself."

I quickly covered my mouth, suppressing my helpless cries.

"Zach, I feel so bad. Am I going to die?"

A burst of crying sounded on the other end of the line, and then it was Zachary's panicked but extremely gentle voice of comfort.

"Lottie, you silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Take your medicine as the doctor said.

"Don't worry, these pills are not bitter. Just take them."

I had never heard such indulgent coaxing words from him.

Zachary seemed to have forgotten that the call was still connected. Through the phone, I heard him comfort Charlotte softly with great patience and feed her the medicine personally.

My face was already covered with tears of sadness and pain.

"Zachary, the medicine I need..."

With a beep, I was rudely hung up.

The doctor asked me to sign a critical illness notice, telling me my brother's condition would be hopeless if he couldn't make it through tonight.

My mind went blank. I could barely prop my weak body up with cramps in my stomach and took a taxi to the Farrell family's old mansion.

Lightning split the night sky, while the heavy rain struck anxiety and despair into my heart.

By the time I arrived at the Farrell family's mansion, I was trembling all over, ashen-faced.

After the door was opened, Zachary frowned at the sight of me.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned me.

He sounded so cold as if he had completely forgotten the fact that I was his lawful wife.

I ignored his accusing tone and came straight to the point.

"I'm here to get the medicine."

Zachary looked down at me from above.

"Do you have to be so persistent? Didn't you hear that Lottie's has a flare-up of asthma again?"

"What does it have to do with me?" I retorted in a numb voice.

"Does her illness have anything to do with the medicine you promised me?"

Zachary pointed at me with a stern look and flared at me, "She's my sister! How can you be so indifferent to her?"

I was so angry that I uttered a snorting laugh.

For the past week, I had been running around for the medicine, yet Charlotte could easily trick Zachary into staying with her by a mere claim that she was not feeling well.

By contrast, my beloved family would all be gone.

I was heartbroken to the extreme and didn't have the strength to care about anything, but I knew getting the medicine was my only way out now.

I threw my dignity to the wind and pleaded with him in a crying voice.

"Zachary, I'm also reluctant to see Charlotte suffer from asthma, but my brother is still in the hospital waiting for the only cure for his condition. Please help me and save him!"

Seeing that I was almost kneeling, Zachary softened his attitude and called his assistant to arrange for the specific.

Suddenly, Charlotte's cries came from inside.

"Zach, I can't breathe. I'm suffocating. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Through the door, I saw Charlotte blink pitifully with tears on her face and secretly smile at me.

Now that I had gotten what I wanted, I was ready to turn around and leave.

Unexpectedly, a call from the hospital struck me numb like a thunderclap.

I pushed the door open and grabbed Zachary.

"Take me to the hospital!"

Zachary dragged my hand away from him, full of impatience.

"I've already asked someone to send it. Can you stop?"

My hands were shuddering as tears blurred my sight.

"Zachary, please take me to the hospital first. My brother is at his last gasp. Can you please take me there and let me see him for the last time?"

It was too late.

The doctor had just called to tell me to quickly return to keep my brother company since the virus had already invaded his brain and the specific would be to no avail.

"Zach, come and help me. I can't breathe."

Charlotte leaned feebly on the rail of the stairs and reached out to Zachary.

Without hesitation, Zachary pushed me away and quickly hugged Charlotte.

"Lottie, I'll take you to the hospital first."

It is already dawn. The Farrell's residence was remote, so there were no cars around.

I must go back. I had to see my brother for the last time and say sorry to him.

With a thud, I knelt heavily on the ground in front of Zachary and hit my head against the floor repeatedly.

"Zachary, I'm begging you, please take me to the hospital, please."

The maids looked at me with contempt when they saw my disgraceful plea. As expected, Zachary's face darkened as well.

"Sharon, look at you now. Do you still have dignity as Mrs. Farrell? Don't bring disgrace on our Farrell family.

"In addition, think about how many times this week you've said your family is in the hospital for emergency treatment. So have all your family died in the hospital? Otherwise, stop bothering me with such lame lies!"

I couldn't help but think, "Lies?

"I've been through the most painful things in the world this week, yet he thinks those are lies?"

In the past, Zachary had persisted in proposing to me. My parents were always worried that a rich man like him would let me down even though I had vouched for him again and again.

They would often pretend to be sick and ask him to visit them to test his sincerity.

But that was a year ago when we hadn't gotten married yet.

Now I could no longer defend what he did.

For my 25th birthday party, Zachary hadn't appeared at all and had only arranged for someone to book a private room in the restaurant.

Therefore, my parents had said with an upset look that Zachary was bad to me and they would rather I married a poor but kind boy.

I had made excuses for him to defend him.

However, my entire family had ended up suffering from prion infection.

I had given my family a guarantee that I could surely get the specific, for it was manufactured by Zachary's company.

Zachary had also agreed. It was just a favor with the slightest effort for him.

But why?

Why did he break his promise and choose to hurt me?

I had the answer at the sight of Charlotte's smile with provocation tonight.

Zachary walked toward the car with Charlotte in his arms.

Unwilling to give up, I still rushed over and stopped him even though I knew there was little hope that he would listen to me.

"Zachary, do you remember when you proposed to me, you told me you would stand by me forever? Now I'm begging you, help me and take me to the hospital, or we'll divorce!"

However, Zachary just walked away after an indifferent glance at me.

I was fettered by the butler's control and could only watch as he left without looking back.

"Zachary Farrell, I'll divorce you if you leave now!"

The only response I got was the growl of his black supercar through the night sky.

My face was splashed with mud. Drenched all over, I looked as miserable as a homeless beggar on the street.

In the heavy rain, I received the last call.

"Ms. Yates, my condolences."

I fell powerlessly on the cold road, splashed by the dirty rain and devoured by the darkness.

I lost all my loved ones that night.

I was completely orphaned.

My name is Sharon Yates.

I was named by my mother with an expectation that I would be blessed with peace of mind for my whole life with my family's company.

But now I was standing in the morgue, staring blankly at the urn in my hands.

Without my family around, I couldn't feel at peace anymore.

I subdued my negative feelings and forced myself to complete the final procedures calmly.

At least, I had to let them rest in peace first.

I chose to bury them on the hill behind the orphanage in which my family had jointly invested even though they hadn't earned much from their careers in education.

The orphanage had fallen into disuse, but it was a place of countless good memories.

I knelt on the ground, lost in thought. Suddenly, I heard voices behind me.

"Zach, sorry for dragging you down and bothering to build a hospital just for me."

Charlotte lowered her head, her neck bandaged.

"Lottie, you're my sister. How can you consider yourself a burden to me? This place is already desolated anyway. It's only a matter of some money. You don't have to feel sorry."

I turned to look at them and saw Zachary carrying Charlotte's bag for her with a worried look on his face.

I wondered, "So someone as distant as him will still worry about others, won't he?"

If it were in the past, I would have been overwhelmed by mixed emotions.

However, it had nothing to do with me now.

I let out a cold laugh and turned around to walk away.

Zachary saw it and grabbed my arm.

"You didn't answer my call, but you are waiting for me here. What do you want to do?"

I could tell from the boredom in his eyes that he thought I had intentionally come here just to attract his attention.

I thought about what he had said to Charlotte and understood he intended to spend a fortune to please her. I couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him. No matter what, these buildings no longer had residents.

"Excuse me."

I said as I continued to walk away without sparing a glance at him, for I didn't want to have any contact with him.

Zachary abruptly grabbed me by the wrist, which hurt. I vigorously shook his hand off.

I couldn't help feeling sick at the sight of his seemingly affectionate face.

"Leave me alone!"

He seemed to have never expected me to be so hostile to him, and thus he was stunned for a moment.

He questioned, "Sharon Yates, what's wrong with you?"

I glared at him fiercely, clenching my fists while the overwhelming resentment was about to engulf me.

"Zachary Farrell, don't touch me! And don't be interfering. Let's get a divorce!"

Charlotte's eyes turned misty as she fiddled with her white dress, looking helpless.

"Sharon, I'm sorry. My illness flared up that day, and Zach was too anxious to give you enough attention. Please don't be angry about it. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gotten sick at that time."

The sight of her hypocritical look disgusted me.

"That's right. You said you could barely breathe that day, yet you have already come to life and can hang out like this after just a few days, while I couldn't even have the chance to see my brother for the last time.

"I haven't divorced your good brother yet, so the scolding I'm giving him is none of your business. Who do you think you are to interfere in the matter between me and him?

"You hypocritical bitch, stop putting on an act in front of me!"

I threw caution to the wind. I was all alone now, so I had nothing to fear.

I didn't care about marriage or dignity anymore.

If it weren't for her interference, my family wouldn't have died.

Now all I wanted was to get justice for those twelve lives!

Charlotte looked frightened.

Her eyes turned red as she said, "I'm sorry, but I didn't know... Sharon, please scold me if it can make you feel better."

Zachary hugged his beloved sister, wiped her tears, and turned to scowl at me.

"Sharon Yates, why are you so mean to Lottie?"

Humph.

He still thought it was all my fault even at this point.

I was not surprised. I had long since discovered that Charlotte's eyes were tinted with desire when she looked at Zachary.

I had told him many times about it, trying to make him understand his adopted sister's affections for him.

Nevertheless, his response was always accusations that I was narrow-minded and paranoid, saying that Lottie was just his sister.

He had also told me that I should replace my suspicious mind with magnanimity as Mrs. Farrell.

At that time, instead of fixating on it, I would choose to believe that time would tell and that he would stand by me even if something went wrong.

But as days went by, he only filled me with disappointment and regret.

"Humph, Zachary, I'll see you in court."

I turned around and left.

He seemed unaccustomed to my indifference and shouted at me to stop me several times, but I didn't turn back.

When I was about to walk out of the gate, he finally left Charlotte behind and stopped me.

"Are you done with your tantrum? I gave you the medicine, didn't I?"

It was obvious that he had no idea what had happened to me these days, or rather, he didn't care. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said so without batting an eye.

Apparently, he wanted to smooth this thing over, so he had softened his tone, but his eyes were full of unconcealed annoyance.

I looked straight at him and asked word by word, "Zachary, back then, did you truly want to marry me?"

Perhaps he hadn't expected me to ask such a question, so he subconsciously looked away.

I felt a chill through my heart.

I just realized that everything here made a mockery of my affections in the past.

Now that my heart would no longer be rippled by love, I knew my heart was already dead.

"Let's get a divorce. I'll have an attorney contact you."

"Are you out of your mind?"

He put his arms around my shoulders with his face full of disbelief as if trying to confirm whether I was having a tantrum or not.

But he finally understood I was serious when his eyes met my despairing ones.

"Sharon, I didn't treat you well enough last time. I've been too busy lately, so I neglected you. I'll spend more time with you from now on. Will that do?"

Being attentive to me after hurting me was his typical tactic to trick me into willingly pleasing him in gratitude for his kindness again.

In the past, my heart had overflowed with love for him, so I was always considerate toward him.

Now, however, I wished he could be buried with my whole family!