Originally, I got close to Ethan because of the system's mission, but I truly fell in love with him.

In the three years we've been married, we were deeply in love.

We'd go watch the plane trees bloom in the spring, eat stinky tofu together in the summer, watch the maple leaves turn in the fall, and in winter, we'd travel to Japan to see the deer.

Before, my hands used to suffer from frostbite every winter.

But after being with him, he cared for me so well that my hands stayed smooth and soft, never cracking again.

We started trying for a baby last month. From the crib to baby nail clippers, we had everything ready.

I thought he would be a great father.

But then...

He stopped touching me.

At first, I thought he was just tired from work, which seemed normal.

Until I went through his private social media account and discovered the truth.

[How powerful is the allure of a first love.]

The first photo was an old, faded picture of Ethan, smiling brightly with a girl.

Her name was Sophie—Ethan's first love, the one he had never truly let go of.

The second photo was of Sophie at the airport, waving at him.

I couldn't bear to imagine how happy and overjoyed he must have been when he took that picture.

My heart clenched, a sharp pain radiating from my chest to my stomach.

I knew Ethan rarely posted on this account. His last post was from five years ago.

Five years ago, when he and Sophie had broken up.

Back then, his posts were filled with a melancholy, almost poetic sadness.

[Have childhood promises really just blown away with the wind?]

I didn't know what they had promised each other.

But deep down, I sensed that something was terribly wrong.

Ethan returned home late that night.

We were trying to conceive, so I had bought a lot of baby clothes.

While waiting for Ethan, I organized the tiny garments.

When he walked in, the cheap scent of his cologne hit me hard.

"Why do you smell like perfume?" I asked, putting down the baby clothes and looking up at him.

"Oh, I went to the mall with Sophie today. She was trying on perfumes," he replied casually.

...

He showed no hint of guilt, while I felt small for my suspicions.

"Sophie? Didn't you say you were done with her?"

I stood up abruptly, dropping the soft fabric of the baby clothes to the floor.

The soft fabric fell heavily to the ground.

"Emma, don't get upset. I just helped her fulfill a childhood promise. It's nothing serious—just a little wedding ceremony, walking down an aisle," he explained, stepping closer to take my hand.

I recoiled, stepping back.

"A childhood promise?!" I scoffed. "Ethan, we're married! What does that make me?"

"Emma, please let me explain. I'm just making sure she doesn't regret anything. Once she leaves the country, we can go back to our normal life."

How could he be so sure that I would support his commitment to another woman?

"Are you really going to let me watch this promise fall apart? Do you want us both to live with regrets for the rest of our lives?"

Ethan raised his voice suddenly.

He was trying to manipulate me with guilt.

Looking at him made me feel exhausted.

This was their issue, not mine.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before speaking the truth.

"Ethan, if you marry someone else, I will disappear," I said slowly, my tone eerily calm.

He was taken aback.

"Emma, do you really think I'm that gullible? Disappear? Just like that?"

He laughed dismissively as if my words were a childish threat born from jealousy.

"Ethan, I'm serious," I replied coldly.

His silence spoke volumes as the amusement faded from his face, replaced by impatience.

He felt I was overreacting and making a big deal out of nothing.

To him, Sophie was a strong and confident goddess while I was merely a jealous housewife who revolved around him and the kitchen.

He forgot that before we got married, I was an accomplished professional who willingly sacrificed everything to support his dreams.

Now, my sacrifices had become reasons for his disdain.

The day my mission failed was also the day Ethan planned his wedding ceremony.

When our child left us, it didn't surprise me at all.

Perhaps this child was wise enough to slip away from a home devoid of happiness.

I stepped out of the hospital, but instead of heading straight home, I decided to visit my parents' house.

The system had informed me that I only had six days left to live.

I didn't want Ethan's issues to overshadow the last bit of light in my life.

What would Ethan's reaction be if he knew that by going to marry Sophie, he had lost our first child and would ultimately lose me as well?

Perhaps I was being overly sentimental; maybe he would welcome the news.

I forced a bitter smile, realizing it was all just a dream crafted by the system.

I bought some meat at the supermarket and returned home.

I busied myself with various tasks, pretending to be cheerful as I smiled and did everything I had always wanted to do.

My parents noticed my forced enthusiasm and asked what was wrong.

"I... have a terminal illness. I probably only have a few days left. Today... Ethan married his first love,"

I managed to say, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Oh dear, how did you suddenly get such a disease? You seemed fine!"

My mother's legs buckled, nearly causing her to collapse, while my father rushed to support her, tears streaming down his face.

"That bastard Ethan! How could he do this to you?"

My father trembled with rage, slamming his fist on the table.

"Dad, don't mention him," I said, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "I've made up my mind. I'll divorce him and reclaim what belongs to me. For the time I have left, I want to be with you both."

My mother held me tightly, crying heart-wrenchingly.

"My daughter, why do you have to suffer like this?"

When they learned that Ethan had gone through with marrying his first love today, their pain deepened.

Before we got married, they had opposed our relationship—not just because of his circumstances but also due to his character; he only seemed interested in possessing everything about me.

"Emma, it's okay. Your mom and I will be here for you until the very end," my father said softly.

I had already decided to present him with the divorce papers.

After dinner, I was scrolling through my phone to unwind when I accidentally stumbled upon Sophie's social media post.

Sophie and I were college classmates, and I had her social media account, so I was aware of her updates.

She had posted a new status.

[Thank you, my Ethan.]

The Ethan who once vowed to spend his life with me was now embracing Sophie in a wedding dress.

The sight of the pure white gown and handsome Ethan made it look like they were actually getting married.

In the comments section, Ethan wrote, [It's okay, little princess. I'll help you fulfill your last promise.]

Sophie replied, [Thank you, my prince, for making my wishes come true.]

I felt an overwhelming urge to confront her, to tear off her hypocritical mask right then and there.

But I was too drained to do anything.