My sister-in-law had a serious accident during an experiment, suffering severe burns. The surgery was extremely difficult, and only my husband could perform it.

However, he insisted on taking his ex-girlfriend to Europe to watch the European Championships.

My sister-in-law and I were as close as sisters. I called and cried, begging him not to go.

"I'll go watch the game with Gianna. Don't be so nosy."

My husband said I was not a football fan and didn't understand the charm of watching the European Championships live.

"I saw my sister before I left. Don't compete for attention using her life. It's a cheap trick."

When my sister-in-law closed her eyes, I heard the cheers of their victory and saw the photos my husband's ex-girlfriend posted on Instagram.

[I'm here to fulfill our eight-year promise.]

That day, my eight-year marriage ended, and my sister-in-law never saw her brother again.

——

My sister-in-law Isabella Morris had a major accident during the experiment, and her whole body was burned. There was not a single piece of intact skin.

Tears streamed down her face, soaking her wounds. Even the skin around her eyes was trembling.

"Dr. Morris took a vacation to watch the European Championships. He's probably already on the plane. Only he can guarantee the success of this surgery."

The vice president of the hospital looked at me nervously with pleading eyes.

I repeatedly dialed Jasper Morris' number and finally got through. I heard an impatient voice on the other end.

"Just checking in on me again? Lydia, the plane hasn't even taken off yet."

"There was a laboratory explosion. Isabella has suffered severe burns. Hurry to the hospital. They said only you can perform this difficult surgery."

Before I could finish speaking, I heard Jasper's mocking laughter on the other end. He said I only wanted to keep him and there was no need to make up such a despicable excuse.

"You're really vicious, Lydia. How dare you curse Isabella to death?"

I suppressed the pain in my heart. Jasper and I had been married for eight years, but he still didn't have complete trust in me. He thought I was just jealous and didn't want him to watch the European Championships.

Before he left, I accidentally saw Gianna Stewart's name on the ticket. He didn't go alone.

If it were any other time, I would definitely argue with him, but now Isabella's life was in his hands!

"Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a trending topic. You can search it online."

Jasper hung up on me, and when I called again, I found that he blocked my number.

Jasper said that I was a stuffy person and could not understand the charm of watching the European Championships live. He said it would be annoying if I called again.

I leaned against the wall in exhaustion. There was no way. I went in to see Isabella. She and I were classmates and best friends.

When we were in school, she always mentioned her brother and asked me to be her sister-in-law. The three of us would live a good life.

I wiped away my tears and didn't dare to tell Isabella the truth. She was struggling and couldn't even speak.

"Jasper, Jasper."

"Lydia, don't cry," she choked out. "You're a fool. Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. I can't celebrate it with you. The gift is hidden somewhere."

"Is my brother very busy?"

I nodded and didn't tell her the truth. I dared not. I used all the connections the Morris family had to find the best medical resources, but it was useless.

Time passed by minute by minute. When Isabella closed her eyes, there happened to be cheers from the next bed.

I knew that many fans tonight would be too excited to sleep and Jasper finally achieved his wish. But Isabella would never see him again.

After handling Isabella's funeral, I felt like my soul had been taken away. The only thing echoing in my ears was Isabella calling Jasper's name.

The year I graduated from high school, I finally met Isabella's brother, the popular handsome guy at Arizona State University.

That glance changed my whole youth. I fell in love with Jasper at first sight and carefully hid my feelings for him deep inside.

I started to intentionally or unintentionally go home with Isabella and peek at Jasper.

But he was far beyond my reach, just the moon in the sky.

I changed my mind and went to Arizona State University for his sake, but we only met a few times. Every time, he nodded to me and gave me a faint smile.

I knew it was out of affection for Isabella.

My fate with Jasper began eight years ago at the European Championships. On a late night in a foreign country's street, I bumped into a man covered in blood.

He held me tightly, pressed me against the wall, and kissed me. He said, "Lydia, don't say anything. Help me."

The group of people behind us looked fierce, but when they saw us kissing, they whistled at us and left.

After they left, I saw the bruises on Jasper's handsome face and blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. The smell of blood filled my nostrils.

"Do you think I look good, Lydia?" Jasper's eyes were bright and particularly captivating.

I blushed and wanted to run, but he held my hand and put a ring on my finger. In a foreign country, Jasper revealed my secret crush that had lasted for many years.

He proposed to me and asked if I would be his wife.

I squatted on the floor, my mind numb with memories. But when the image of Isabella's bright smile appeared, I couldn't hold back anymore.

I hugged myself and started crying. I'm so useless. I can't even protect my best friend.

My phone vibrated twice. It was a message from Jasper. He finished watching the game and removed me from his blacklist.

[Don't be angry, Lydia. I brought gifts for you and Isabella. Don't make a fuss anymore.]

After a while, I still didn't reply to him. If it were before, I would be so happy that I could roll on the bed with my phone.

I liked Jasper even though I knew that I was not his first choice!

"Wait for me. I'll make it up to you when I go back, honey."

"No need, Jasper, let's get a divorce." I was tired. These eight years had been like shackles. The ring he gave me when he proposed was too small. I knew it was prepared for someone else.

"There you go again. You want a divorce whenever we argue."

"Jasper, get me the towel."

I immediately hung up the phone when I heard Gianna's sweet and delicate voice, but then I accidentally clicked on Instagram.

Gianna posted an intimate photo of her and Jasper as if making an official announcement that they were together.

The photo was captioned.

[I have come to fulfill our eight-year promise, and there are no regrets in life anymore.]

In the eight years, I was the only clown. I cherished Jasper's love, but that was something Gianna despised.

I cremated Isabella, and when I took over the urn of her ashes, I couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears at the funeral home.

I brought Isabella home, and coincidentally, today was my birthday. She said she had prepared a gift for me and hid it well.

Since we met, we had celebrated each other's birthdays together every year.

This year, she was also here.

I placed Isabella's urn securely on the back seat and went to pick up the cake I ordered.

As I got out of the car, I happened to run into Jasper and Gianna. They were wearing clothes of the same color and were intimately leaning against each other as if waiting for someone.

"Lydia!"

Jasper was not blind. He walked towards me when he saw me. He said we knew each other very well. Even the cakes we ordered were from the same bakery.

I didn't say anything. I just wanted to quietly celebrate my birthday with Isabella, and I didn't want anyone to disturb us.

I ignored them and walked straight in. Suddenly, I felt a grip on my wrist as Gianna grabbed me.

"Lydia, you misunderstood. I just watched a game with Jasper and we didn't do anything else. He just didn't explain it well to you."

I turned around and looked at Gianna, who was acting generously like Jasper's real wife.

She apologized to me and playfully stuck out her tongue. "Jasper is very clumsy and not a romantic at heart. But now he has changed and knows how to surprise you. He even asked me for advice on what gift to give you."

Every word Gianna said was provoking me and reminding me that she held a special place in Jasper's life.

I smiled, "Ms. Stewart, you really like going back with your ex. I'm busy today and don't have time to play along!"

I shook off Gianna's hand with a little force, but in the next second, she suddenly stumbled back a few steps.

Wearing high heels, she fell to the ground with a dull thud.

I saw the tension and tenderness in Jasper's eyes. He shouted at me, "Lydia, what are you doing?"

He said I was unreasonable, snatched the car keys from my hand, held Gianna up, and left without looking back.