We were married for seven years. He still refused to announce our marriage.

He left me by the roadside with stomach cramps. All to set off fireworks across the city for a famous actress.

So, I gave him up.

Like everyone online, I sincerely wished them well.

But he went crazy.

***

On the way to the hospital, Justin received a call.

He forgot to connect the Bluetooth. Sofia's sweet and aggrieved voice filled the car.

"Justin, someone hit me.

"My leg hurts so much. It hurts. Will I never dance again?

"I'm so scared, Justin," Sofia said.

Justin's calm and composed expression instantly changed.

He slammed on the brakes. His voice raised.

"Sofia, where are you?

"Stay right there. I'll be there soon," Justin said.

After hanging up the phone, he finally noticed my pale face from the severe stomach pain.

The sudden braking almost made me faint.

At that moment, I felt like I was drowning. I was in utter misery.

He averted his gaze uncomfortably.

"Sofia was in a car accident. I have to go save her.

"Stacey, you've been in a car accident before. I'm sure you understand," Justin said.

"Justin, I'm in pain," I said.

I tightly gripped the seat. I tried to reason with him.

"She can call the ambulance," I said.

My vision blurred from the pain. Justin anxiously rubbed his forehead.

"Stacey, be reasonable. You can call the ambulance, too," Justin said.

In the despairing silence, the moment seemed to stretch out endlessly.

I stared at him blankly. I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

I couldn't help but recall the first time I met Sofia.

She sat on the sofa in a short skirt. She asked me in an exaggerated tone, "I heard you were in a car accident before. Is it true that you have long scars on your legs and can never dance again?"

I was stunned. Before I could respond, Justin had already stepped between us.

He casually said, "Stacey, don't misunderstand. Sofia is a dancer. She cares about these things. She didn't mean any harm."

I looked at him in confusion.

I wanted to ask, "Can't I tell whether someone means harm?

"What's wrong with you today?"

He knew how much I cared about my legs. Why did he take someone else's side?

But in the end, I didn't say anything.

My physical flaws had once made me deeply resent myself.

Justin had always been by my side. He didn't let me drown in my pain.

I couldn't argue with him. I could only stand there in silent confrontation.

"Justin, why are you so nervous? I didn't say anything wrong," Sofia said.

Sofia stood up. Her legs were slender. She walked with grace and agility.

She walked up to me and smiled brightly.

"What a pity. I heard you used to be the lead dancer of the Sanchez City Dance Troupe. Now, it's me.

"Stacey, let me show you my dance," Sofia said.

In the spacious living room, she twirled lightly. Naturally, she attracted all of Justin's attention.

His expression was gentle. Just like how he used to look at me years ago.

"Stop dancing!" I shouted.

I nearly lost control and screamed. I knocked over the porcelain vase beside me.

The sharp sound of shattering echoed.

Sofia seemed startled. She lost her balance and fell directly toward me.

The next second, Justin rushed over in a panic.

Amid the chaos, I didn't know who pushed me.

I fell hard to the ground. The vase shards dug deep into my palm.

I raised my eyes through the pain. All I saw was Justin tightly holding Sofia in his arms.

"Sofia, are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Justin asked.

Sofia was probably terrified. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing weakly.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to make Stacey happy.

"I didn't mean to upset Stacey. Sorry..." Sofia said.

Justin sighed. He gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Sofia's eyes.

When he turned to look at me, his expression instantly changed.

He furrowed his brows tightly. His eyes were cold.

"Stacey, don't go too far.

"Sofia just wanted to make you happy. Do you want her to end up like you, unable to dance again?

"No one will tolerate you forever," Justin said.

I clenched my teeth. My heart ached intensely.

I kept telling myself that I had lost my temper. I had almost hurt someone else.

Justin was just afraid that the tragedy that happened to me years ago would happen to someone else.

After all, years ago, he had held on to me tightly when I tried to take my own life. He had stayed with me day and night. It was his straightforward and unconditional love that rekindled my hope in life.

He was just too kind.

Perhaps he was too kind. Time and again, he left me for Sofia.

On the weekends, we planned to watch movies together. The nights I prepared dinner for two. My birthday, and our wedding anniversary. He didn't present.

Finally, it hit me today. Justin probably didn't love me anymore.

But it had been seven years.

It felt like a hand was violently twisting inside my stomach. The taste of blood slowly filled my mouth.

I spoke with difficulty, "Justin, I'm your wife."

He froze for a moment. His thin lips pressed into a tight line. His expression showed some struggle.

The phone rang again.

"Justin, it hurts so much. When are you coming?" Sofia said.

The hesitation on his face was instantly replaced by urgency.

"Don't be scared. I'm coming right now," Justin said.

Then he looked at me with a hint of apology.

"Stacey, I'm sorry. I have to go to her. You..." Justin said.

"I understand," I said.

I suddenly felt tired.

I interrupted him. I stumbled out of the car.

Almost as soon as I closed the door, the black Maybach sped away.

I couldn't hold on any longer.

Everything went dark. I passed out.