I was gravely ill, hospitalized and nearing death, while Jerome Baldwin held me in his arms with a look of distress. He said, "Tania, I've had 20 tubes of blood drawn for you. You'll be fine."

Thinking I was asleep, he turned to instruct the nurse, "Quickly, send these 19 tubes to Room 333 for Jessica Almaz."

The nurse hesitated and said, "There are no KEN-type blood bags in the hospital. One tube might not be enough …"

Jerome waved impatiently, "It's my blood and I decide. One tube is enough. As long as she doesn't die, it'll do!"

I tightly closed my eyes, but a single tear still slid down my cheek. Later, I found someone willing to donate blood to me endlessly.

Jerome, however, went crazy, declaring that his blood was his to allocate, draw as much as needed, as he would decide. But I didn't need it anymore.

——

As the nurse hesitated, I suddenly opened my eyes and spoke weakly, "Listen to him. It's his blood and he decides."

The nurse looked at me and then at Jerome, as if silently hoping he might have a shred of conscience and leave me a few extra tubes. Because one tube truly wasn't enough.

But Jerome's next words shattered the last bit of hope I held, "Tania, Jessica isn't in good health. She's always taking sick leave from work. I'm doing this for the good of the company. You understand, don't you?"

Hearing this, it felt like a heavy weight was choking my throat and I couldn't utter a word. I could only nod to conceal my emotions.

Jerome was very pleased with my understanding nature. He even helped tidy my bed, "Tania, I'm glad you understand. KEN-type blood is extremely rare. Jessica is just a young woman, life hasn't been easy for her. As her boss, I have to help however I can."

After Jerome left, I couldn't hold back any longer and broke into tears. My pillow became soaked as an overwhelming sense of abandonment engulfed me.

Crying eventually wore me out and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I instinctively checked my phone.

I didn't see any message from Jerome but instead found a post by Jessica, updated just minutes ago: [The man who gave me 19 tubes of blood, he can have my life if he wants. Jerome Baldwin, I will love you till death.]

In the photo, Jerome rested his exhausted face on the edge of Jessica's hospital bed, while on her hand was a familiar ring. That ring was part of a couple's set, Jerome had one as well and had never taken it off.

I suddenly remembered the day Jerome swapped out our couple's ring for another design. It was the first time we had a heated argument. Later, Jerome explained it was a gift celebrating six years of love, but the women's ring had unfortunately been lost.

Turns out, it wasn't lost at all. I was so foolish, so easy to deceive. Thinking back, Jerome had started staying out late around that time. Everything had signs, but I had been too blind to see, clinging to a hope for miracles.

As I stared at the post, a comment section caught my eye. One username stood out, it was familiar.

It was Jerome's mom: [My sweet future daughter-in-law, my son is utterly devoted to you. Even I'm a bit jealous!]

A second later, I saw Jerome reply: [Mom, don't say that. I just see Jessica as a sister.]

Jessica quickly smoothed things over: [That's right. Jerome is so kind to all his employees. We all love him.]

Jerome's mom got the hint: [Alright, alright. When will you bring Jessica to visit our home? Mom will personally cook for her.]

I was too stunned to react. My fingers slipped and I accidentally liked the post while dropping my phone. I immediately retracted it, but it was too late.

Jerome's mom promptly messaged me: [Tania, don't misunderstand. I just feel bad for Jessica. She's so young to have this kind of illness, it's really heartbreaking.]

I didn't know how to respond. After all, Jessica and I shared the same disease. We both had KEN-type blood. Yet somehow, it felt like everyone had forgotten about me.

Jerome and even his mother, treated me this way. Once, I depended on Jerome's mom as if she were my biological mother. Because I no longer had a mother of my own.

Mom, am I really this foolish? I miss you so much. If you were still here, would there be someone to truly love me?

The intense pain brought me back to reality. Due to insufficient blood supply, my body began to break down and I was in critical condition. After struggling for a long time, I finally connected a call.

On the other end, Jerome spoke casually, "I can't come back right now. You've made it through so many times before, one more won't make a difference. Be good and hang in there."

I knew Jerome was doing this on purpose. He hated that I had given in to jealousy and liked Jessica's social media post, making her upset.

But Jerome still came to see me. When he found that aside from being a bit pale, I had no other alarming symptoms, he grew irritated, "You're fine! Why act all pitiful? You're so lame. Tania, if you keep this up, it'll get old really fast." He tossed a bag at the foot of my bed and left.

When I woke up, I was surprised to find a bowl of millet porridge and some spicy pickles.

Even though I didn't like millet porridge and couldn't eat spicy food, the fact that Jerome had bought them for me made them seem delicious. The spiciness brought tears to my eyes, yet I still felt content.

Halfway through eating, Jessica appeared at the door with a smile, holding a white ceramic bowl that looked exquisite. Her complexion was glowing, far from resembling someone who was sick.

Suddenly, I remembered something and forced a smile. Of course, Jerome had given her 19 tubes of blood. She was bound to recover better than I had.

"Tania, may I come in?" she asked.

Before I could answer, Jerome appeared behind her, frowning. He scooped Jessica into his arms and rushed inside, reprimanding her with concern, "I told you already! Your body hasn't fully recovered. If anything comes up, wait for me to get back. If you don't listen, next time I'll punish you …"

Jessica blushed and buried her face into Jerome's chest. Realizing he had said too much, Jerome hastily changed the subject, "Alright, alright. Jessica, why are you carrying a bowl in here?"

That's when I noticed the ceramic bowl contained some leftover meat porridge. On the glossy white spoon was a noticeable lipstick mark.

Jessica spoke slowly, unhurriedly, "I wanted to share the meat porridge Jerome bought with Tania. It's truly delicious."

Jerome suddenly understood and pushed the bowl toward me, gesturing for me to eat it.

I turned my head away, refusing to look at them, "Thank you, but I've already eaten and can't eat anymore."

Those few words unexpectedly brought tears to Jessica's eyes. She plopped down onto my arm, which was attached to the IV. My hand instantly swelled into a large bump and the blood started to flow backward into the IV bottle.

But Jerome didn't even glance at me. He was too busy comforting Jessica with infinite patience, "Shh, don't cry, don't cry. Why are you so upset? It's okay, I won't blame you."

As I was processing Jerome's words, he suddenly grabbed the ceramic bowl and downed the meat porridge in one gulp, even licking the spoon clean, her lipstick stain and all.

My nose started to sting. Jerome was infamous for his obsession with cleanliness. He would never eat food that I had touched. At mealtimes, we always used separate plates and dishes.

Once, I was so hungry that I accidentally took food from his plate. I would never forget the look of disgust on his face. The result? He didn't eat a single bite from that plate and he never used it again.

I had never imagined there would come a day when someone could make Jerome act this way. Once, I thought I was Jerome's one and only.

But with Jessica's arrival, everything changed. She was perfect. He loved everything about her. No matter how, she was better than me.

When I was discharged from the hospital, it was raining outside. A Rolls-Royce, painted in a flamboyant pink princess style, instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Everyone was talking about how much love it must take to paint such an expensive car this way.

But I recognized at once, it was Jerome's car. On the back was written: [The Exclusive Car for the CEO's Gorgeous Secretary.]

I froze at the door, unsure of what to do. Jerome naturally took the umbrella from my hand and said, "The rain's heavy. Use the umbrella to get to the car. If you get sick, I'll have to donate blood again." Then he scooped up Jessica, who was still complaining about the weather.

To the cheers of the onlookers, Jerome gentlemanly opened the backseat door for Jessica, then climbed in himself. The crowd's cheering grew even louder as the pink Rolls-Royce rocked rhythmically, stopping only after a long while.

When Jerome got out, his tie was crooked. Yet, he held the umbrella high, letting himself get wet while keeping Jessica dry.

Once the umbrella was no longer needed, Jerome discarded it without hesitation, forgetting that I was still standing in the rain.

But it didn't matter. From the moment he took the umbrella, my heart had already been soaked by the rain. What difference did it make whether I had an umbrella?

The Rolls-Royce engine roared to life as I realized my ID card was still in the car. I hurriedly knocked on the window.

After a long while, Jerome reluctantly lowered it. A stifling odor of perfume and something foul hit me, making me gag. He said, "Tania, I told you to take a taxi home. Jessica and I have things to do at the office. We'll leave first."

"I …" before I could finish, the car sped away. Through the closing window, I caught a glimpse of Jessica's smug grin.

Hours passed. Unwilling to wait any longer, I decided to walk home in the rain.

Just as I braced myself to leave, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I bumped into a warm chest. Looking up, I saw a tall figure in a white coat.

A young doctor, towering at least 1.9 meters, wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"I'm heading the same way," His voice was deep and charming.

I didn't refuse but wondered, how did he know where I lived? I reasoned it away, convincing myself that I had been to the hospital often enough for him to recognize me.

When I got home, I barely had time to change out of my wet clothes before receiving a message from Jerome: [Tonight, Birmingham Academy, Room 521. Wait for me.]

After some hesitation, I opened my wardrobe and found the white fishtail dress Jerome had given me three years ago.

Birmingham Academy wasn't far, so I soon arrived. The server opened the car door and led me inside.

Even before entering the private room, I could hear the lively atmosphere. Their laughter filled the air until I appeared. The room suddenly fell silent, awkward even. Jerome froze for a few seconds, "Tania, why are you here?"

I looked around the room and realized everyone present was one of Jerome's closest friends. His expression told me instantly, the message was from Jessica.

At that moment, Jessica leaned tightly against Jerome, dressed in a striking red bodycon dress. Half-drunk and dazed, her seductive demeanor captivated everyone.

Sensing the tension, Jerome's friends quickly invited me to join their game. In the first round, Jerome lost.

Jessica leaned close and blew softly into his ear. I saw the redness creep up Jerome's neck. She asked, "Jerome, I heard you started dating Tania in high school. What does campus romance feel like? Answer me, no dodging!" With Jessica pressing him, my heart tightened in suspense.

"High school? That's too young. Students don't know what love is." Jerome's indifferent response obliterated my youth like it was nothing.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he raised his glass for another drink. I, however, had lost my appetite entirely. My fork slipped from my hand and fell under the table.