I had proposed seven times, but Winnie Smith continued refusing to marry me.

This was because the Smith family had a special test. To marry their daughters, their sons-in-law had to refrain from sleeping with their fiancees after being drugged.

I tried seven times. However, every time after I regained consciousness, Winnie would be sleeping naked next to me.

She would cry and throw herself into my arms. “It’s fine. We can try again. I trust you.”

It was not until the eighth time that I overheard her instructing the butler, “Switch the aphrodisiac to sleeping pills, and make sure it’s a high dosage.

“After he falls asleep, I’ll take it from there as usual.”

While I kept my eyes shut tight, I could hear her taking off her long dress. Then, she came over to unbutton my shirt.

I heard her sigh. “I’m sorry, Benjamin Lowe. Joe Anderson’s been diagnosed with cancer, and his last wish is to be with me.

“Don’t worry, though. After he passes, I’ll marry you immediately.”

Right then, I realized that her family’s test had been a lie she told just to marry her childhood best friend.

The next day, my parents pressured me again to leave the country and inherit the family business. So, I agreed to their request.

Since she wanted to marry Joe, I would wish the couple well.

It was already morning when I woke up.

Like the previous seven times, Winnie was lying naked next to me with tears in her eyes.

Before I could speak, she hugged me and cried, “Benjamin, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault, and I don’t blame you at all.”

Then, she shouted at the butler, “Are you deaf? I’ve told you many times to reduce the dosage!

“Benjamin and I are this close to getting married, and you’ve ruined it all!”

The butler lowered his head and spoke respectfully. “Ms. Smith, I’m only following the Smith family’s rules.”

She seemed even more upset and almost passed out from crying.

I wanted to pat her back and comfort her out of reflex. But when I recalled what she said last night, my hand froze midair.

This scene had played out too many times. It was my fault for loving her so much that I trusted her every single time.

Three years ago, when I first asked for her hand in marriage, she had a bigger reaction than I did.

She begged her parents to accept me, and she begged her grandfather not to give me a hard time. On top of that, she threw a tantrum at her family home and claimed that the family’s test was unfair.

“Every aphrodisiac is specially made for the person. With how concentrated and effective it is, almost no one’s passed the test. You’re just trying to stop us from getting married!”

Even though Winnie was delicate, she endured a dozen beatings from her grandfather that day.

I could not stand it anymore and forced myself through a wall of bodyguards without hesitation. I protected her in my embrace and yelled, “It’s just a family rule. I can handle it!”

She was covered in bruises as she hugged me tightly.

“I trust you, Benjamin. You’re the only one I’ll marry!”

From then on, I took extreme measures to pass the test.

I tried blood-letting, injections, and even consumed certain types of medicine. There was even a time when I broke my own leg without anesthesia to keep myself lucid.

However, it always ended with Winnie naked by my side. The Smith family ridiculed me.

In the past, I thought that I was not determined enough. I finally realized that her family’s rule had just been a lie. Winnie came up with it to delay our marriage so that she could fulfil Joe’s last wish.

I had undergone the test eight times over the span of three years. I was the only one who had been putting in the effort.

As I returned to my senses, I saw Winnie looking at me with swollen eyes.

“Benjamin, we can’t just give up. Let’s transfer the money for another test today.”

I was stunned as I watched her take my cell phone. Then, she transferred three million dollars to the Smith family bank account as payment for the aphrodisiac.

It was the last of my savings.

I was worried from the start that I would not have the money to take the Smith family’s test. It was obvious that it was time to end this farce.

“Winnie, I’ll make us some food. Let’s talk about this at night.”

Winnie nuzzled her head against my chin like a kitten.

“Are you planning to discuss how you can pass the next test? Benjamin, promise me that you won’t do anything to hurt yourself anymore.

“I can’t bear it.”

I was stunned. Suddenly, I could not tell if she truly felt bad for me or if she was lying for Joe’s sake.

I sighed and forced a smile before heading to the kitchen.

After a while, I heard her cell phone ringing. Then, she anxiously said, “Joe, don’t do anything stupid! You still have hope! Didn’t the doctors say that there’s a new treatment plan?”

“Wait for me. I’m heading over immediately!”

I heard Winnie’s hurried footsteps, and I rushed out of the kitchen with pain shooting through my heart.

“Winnie, lunch is almost ready. It’s your favorite—steak.”

However, she opened the door without looking back.

“You can have it first. Joe needs me more right now.”

It was winter, and I felt the cold wind piercing through my heart as well.

She was the girl I had loved all of my youth. But she had chosen her so-called childhood best friend, Joe, just like she always had.

This house belonged to the Smith family. After Winnie left, the butler and helper followed suit.

I finished cooking as if I was on autopilot and waited at the dining table until 12 p.m.. Then, my father called me.

“You’re twenty-five years old now. It’s time for you to take on the family business.”

I stared at the empty house. Our graduation photos were still hanging on the wall.

“Dad, I’ll be at the business succession ceremony in three days.”

Winnie had forgotten that the eighth test fell on my birthday.

I was the person who needed her more.

However, it no longer mattered. Since she wanted to marry Joe, I would wish them well.

Winnie was in a great mood when she returned.

“The doctors let Joe try the latest medication, and it worked wonderfully. Joe didn’t feel sick for an entire night!”

When she saw the table full of untouched food, her face fell.

“Didn’t I tell you that we had to be frugal? Why did you cook so much?

“My parents have stopped sending me money because you’ve constantly failed the tests. Joe still has ten sessions to go, and you’re here splurging. What about his medical bills?”

I frowned in response. “Why am I responsible for his medical bills, Winnie?”

Realizing that she had misspoken, she looked away awkwardly.

Immediately after, she threw herself into my embrace.

“Benjamin, Joe grew up with me. He can’t live without me, and I can’t ignore him.

“You’re my fiance, and we’re going to get married in the future. We’re a family. You understand me, don’t you?”

I lowered my head and looked at the face I had loved for many years. Unfortunately, I no longer felt the same.

“Winnie, do you really want to marry me?” I asked indifferently.

She stepped back in disbelief.

“What do you mean, Benjamin? Are you trying to blame me for this?

“You’re the one who messed up the tests. That’s why we haven’t been able to get married for the past three years!”

I calmly stared at her. “That’s right. It’s a miracle that Joe survived three years of terminal stage cancer.”

In the past, I had treated her like a princess. I would coddle and pander to her, so it was my first time being sarcastic.

She immediately got angry.

“What are you talking about? I spent twenty million dollars to save Joe’s life!

“Do you know how much pain he’s in? Why are you accusing a patient? You’re so intolerant. That’s why you failed the test eight times!”

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Twenty million dollars. That was the fee I had paid for all eight aphrodisiacs!

“Winnie, you’ve been using the money for my tests to treat Joe’s illness?”

She became flustered when I exposed her.

Biting her lower lip, she decided to come clean. “What about it? This is a life we’re talking about. How can you compare a marriage and someone’s life? Can’t you tell which one’s more important?”

I stared at her intently.

“Since you used all the money I gave you for his medical bills, what did you inject me with?”

Winnie clenched her fist as she righteously said, “The aphrodisiac that didn’t quite work in the past. It’s not as potent, but I didn’t expect you to be so weak-willed. You still failed every single time.

“Benjamin, if you’re planning to marry me, you have to think of a way to pass the test. You shouldn’t be questioning me over such trivial matters when Joe’s life is on the line!”

I did not expect her to lie her way out at this point.

I forgot when Joe started becoming a huge part of our arguments.

She had forgotten our anniversary because Joe was suddenly in critical condition.

She had given away our newly renovated house to him because he needed a quiet space to rest.

Last year, I got injured and slipped into a coma from one of Smith Corporation’s projects. Yet, she accompanied Joe for a beach vacation because he threatened to kill himself.

The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous I found it. I snorted in response. “Since Joe’s going to die soon and he can’t live without you, why don’t you just marry him? Maybe it’ll bring him some good luck.”

“Benjamin!”

Winnie’s expression darkened as she yelled, “Joe is sick! How could you accuse us of something like that?!”

“Accuse you? You transformed our new house into a rehabilitation center and spent so many nights with him. You spent all my money on him too. How dare you claim that I’m accusing you?”

I sneered as I saw her expression turn ashen. In the end, she still shouted in anger, “You’re insane! Joe was right. You’re not worthy to be my husband!”

After that, she hurried off and slammed the door in my face.

“Think about what you just said! Don’t think about leaving before you apologize!”

When it was close to midnight, I suddenly felt pain in my stomach.

I struggled to find my medication. However, I recalled that Winnie had stopped my gastric medication supply last month to save money for Joe’s treatment.

Before she left, she had tightened security as well. So, I could not leave, and no one else could enter.

Even if I asked my father to transfer money for medication, I would not be able to receive it.

I gritted my teeth as I decided to give Winnie a call.

We were in love before, so I believed she would not be cruel enough to refuse helping me.

However, I did not expect Joe to answer the call.

“Winnie’s accompanying me for my doctor’s visit. What’s up?” he said casually.

I was taken aback. Before I could say anything, I heard Winnie’s anxious voice. “Joe, are you still in pain?”

He immediately sounded weak.

“Yes… Winnie, Benjamin’s looking for you…

“You should go back. I’m fine on my own. I can’t keep being a burden to you…”

Winnie was still worried. “You can’t even stand upright from the pain. How can I leave you here alone?”

I heard some muffling sounds before Winnie answered the call, “Benjamin, weren’t you so smug during the day? Why are you calling me after just a few hours?

“I’m telling you: don’t bother me. If anything happens to Joe because of you, I’ll never marry you!”

She ended the call in fury, and the pain in my stomach overwhelmed me.

I touched my forehead and realized that I was having a high fever.

As I slipped in and out of consciousness, I seemed to hear Winnie’s voice from three years ago at the Smith family home.

“Benjamin’s the only one I’ll marry! I’ll be damned forever if it’s anyone else!”

I did not know how much time had passed before the butler found me. He immediately sent me to the hospital.

The butler made a phone call on the way there, and Winnie answered it impatiently. After instructing him to get me to drink more water, she hung up on him.

When I opened my eyes, I heard the doctor telling someone they had a mild cold. The patient was in the bed next to mine.

The curtains were drawn open, and I saw Winnie holding Joe’s hand. She had her back toward me and seemed extremely worried.

“How are you feeling? Are you thirsty or hungry?”

Joe stared lovingly at her as he shook his head. “Winnie, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“You’re having a cold! How could I not be worried?”

After that, she stood up to pour him some water. Then, she cut some fruit and fed it to him.

She only remembered I was there after over an hour, and she frowned.

“I told you I’d forgive you if you’re willing to apologize.

“You’re pretending to be sick to force me home?”

I was dumbfounded. I only got diagnosed with gastritis because the Smith family had overworked me. I had pulled many all-nighters for their projects.

I caught a fever because I had chronic fatigue. She thought that I was feigning my illness?

Unfortunately, when I opened my mouth, my throat felt extremely parched. I struggled to get myself some water.

“Water…”

Before I could say it out loud, Joe started coughing violently.

Winnie immediately passed him all the water. From her peripheral vision, she recognized that I was also looking for water. “You’re an adult. Why are you trying to snatch Joe’s water when he’s ill?” she said impatiently.

My hand froze midair, and I did not miss the cocky glance from Joe.

He had won again.

My throat hurt, and I said in a hoarse voice, “Winnie, I’m a patient too.”

She grew more impatient and waved the butler over.

“Send him back. Don’t waste money on this.

“He keeps failing his test. My parents aren’t giving me a single cent right now. I can’t afford to pay his medical bills!”