“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!”

I was feeling extremely weak from the high fever. So, I allowed the butler to carelessly leave me at home alone.

Fortunately, the doctor had prescribed me some medicine. I consumed it with cold water and curled up on the couch to sleep.

I was covered in sweat when I woke up, but I finally regained some strength.

I had a dozen text messages.

Aside from the address my father had sent me regarding the succession ceremony, the other text messages were from Joe’s throwaway account.

[Thank you for your sudden fever. To make it up to me, Winnie allowed me to hug her the whole night.]

[Winnie said she has more money for me to try new treatments. Even though it’s useless for me, it’s still your hard-earned money. I’ll treasure it.]

He also sent me a photo of a marriage certificate.

Besides the certificate and another photo of them, I saw Winnie’s handwriting that detailed her wish. [Joe, I hope to grow old with you in the next life.]

On the bottom right corner, their thumbprints formed a heart shape.

[Look, Benjamin. Don’t Winnie and I look good together?]

In the past, Joe had sent me various provocative messages. I had treated it as drivel from a dying person.

However, I only felt calm when I read his latest messages.

[Congratulations.]

After I replied to him, I started packing my belongings.

My father had arranged a private jet for me. Since I had agreed to leave, there was no need to stall my stay.

I was halfway through packing when Winnie returned. Her face fell when she saw my luggage.

“Are you leaving?

“Joe still has ten more treatment sessions left. You’re leaving him to fend for himself?”

I did not stop packing. “Doesn’t he have you? I’m making space for him by leaving.”

She then threw a few boxes of gastric medication at my feet. Winnie was furious.

“These ten sessions are going to cost thirty million dollars! If you’re not around, how am I getting the money?

“Benjamin, you said you’d marry me. If you leave now, you’d be going against your word!”

I zipped up my luggage and got to my feet. Then, I saw Joe standing behind her.

I sneered. “Winnie, if you really wanted to marry me, you wouldn’t use Joe’s illness as a threat.”

She was taken aback, and Joe immediately ran over.

“Winnie, don’t fight over me. This is all my fault.

“My illness is holding you back. I’m dying anyway, so all these treatments are just wishful thinking. I’ll be damned if I affect your life anymore.”

His face was pale as he held Winnie’s hand.

“I’m already very happy that I had three more years with you.

“Winnie, I hope you have a happy life with Benjamin. I’ll see you in the next life.”

After that, he ran out with teary eyes.

Winnie was anxious. She looked up and slapped me across the face. “Why can’t you be generous toward a terminally ill patient? Are you even a man?” she said through gritted teeth.

I snickered after getting hit.

“If I’m not a man, why don’t you rush after him?”

Her gaze fell onto my luggage again, and something seemed to occur to her.

“You’ve found another woman, haven’t you? No wonder you’ve been acting strange these past few days, Benjamin.

“No one will want a man who’s failed eight times, I’m telling you. You’re nothing without me!”

Just then, the butler came over.

“Ms. Smith, Mr. Anderson has run toward the bridge…”

Winnie’s eyes widened, and she immediately left. But she still yelled her final warning, “Benjamin, don’t ever come back if you leave! Even if you do, I’ll never forgive you…”

Her voice trailed off as she left. The butler glared at me before leaving with the remaining staff.

A while later, the bodyguards my family employed arrived as expected.

“Mr. Lowe, the succession ceremony will commence in five hours.”

So, I smoothed out my collar.

“Send a few people to the Smith family’s home. They owe me millions. I want you to get it all back for me.”