My words fell like ice water, chilling Asher to the bone.

He remained silent for a long time, still unable to understand the reason. "Why?"

I shook my head gently, my tone cold, "There's no why. I just don't love you anymore."

My words were like a knife, making it hard for Asher to breathe.

He stared at me intently, gritting his teeth, "Aria, I've waited for you for so many years. You can't just leave when you feel like it. I absolutely won't agree to this."

As he spoke, his eyes were already brimming with tears.

If he couldn't bear the pain of losing me, why did he betray me in the first place?

I suppressed my emotions and suddenly laughed, "Asher, I'm just kidding. You didn't actually believe me, did you?"

Asher was stunned for a moment, then reached out and pulled me tightly into his arms.

He held me as if he wanted to meld me into his body.

I knew this was his way of venting his emotions, so I didn't resist, allowing him to hold me.

After a long while, he finally let go reluctantly.

"Aria, don't ever joke like that again."

"You know, without you, my heart would die."

I looked at him and nodded.

"Okay, I'll do as you wish."

Hearing my response, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.He was about to say something else when his phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the contact name, he said with an unnatural expression, "Aria, I need to take this call."

With that, he went out to the balcony. I faintly heard what seemed to be a woman's voice saying,

"Congratulations..."

As soon as it was said, Asher hurriedly hung up the phone and rushed out.

"Aria, I've got something urgent to deal with. Wait for me to come back."

I waved my hand thoughtfully, gesturing for him to hurry and not be late.

After he left, I returned to the hospital due to my allergies.

The one who likes begonias must be Haisley, right?

Perhaps it's because I slept for too long, so long that Asher forgot I was allergic to pollen.

My hand turned cold from the IV drip.

Yet it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart.

I didn't know whether to thank Asher for quitting his job to take care of me, or to hate him for meeting Haisley in secret while caring for me.

I didn't even know how I managed to get through all those days and nights when Asher was being affectionate with Haisley right in front of me.

But it's all over now.

I'll fulfill Asher's wishes and let him be with Haisley.

That night, Asher finally remembered me.

"Aria, where are you? Why is there no one at home?"

I looked at the completed IV drip and calmly said, "I'm getting an IV."

Asher froze for a moment, as if suddenly remembering.

"Aria, I'm so sorry, I forgot about your pollen allergy..."

"I'll come to you right away."

I didn't refuse, after all, I really couldn't manage on my own.

Upon returning home again, all the flowers in the house had been cleaned up.

Unlike what I had imagined, the entire house didn't feel cold and empty with just Asher there.

Instead, it felt quite cozy.

It was clear that Haisley had taken good care of him.

"Darling, I've been using the master bedroom and haven't cleaned it much. You can stay in the guest room for now. I'll have someone come tomorrow to thoroughly clean it before you move in."

I didn't refuse.

After all, I didn't want to sleep in a room where he had been with other women.

Lying in bed that night, I pondered where to go next.

During those three years I spent bedridden, my biggest regret was not having really seen the world.

The world is so beautiful, with so many sights still worth capturing.

Why not start with the ancient castle in Russia?

That was my parents' favorite place, and the first stop on their honeymoon.

If they were still alive, they would surely support me.

Perhaps due to sleeping for too long, I lay awake for quite a while, unable to fall asleep.

At midnight, I faintly heard Asher cursing under his breath.

"I told you, as soon as she wakes up, you're to get your ass out of the country."

"If she finds out about your existence, I'll end you."

"You're pregnant?"

After that last sentence, I heard the sound of Asher hurriedly getting dressed.

After tidying himself up, he didn't forget to come check on me.

To his surprise, I was sitting quietly on the bed, wide awake.

He panicked for a moment, but quickly composed himself. "Darling, why are you still up so late?"

"I've slept for three years. I don't feel like sleeping now."

He nodded, then cautiously asked, "Did you hear any noises just now?"

I didn't answer, but I was puzzled by his last sentence. Having spent years surrounded by test subjects, hadn't we prepared ourselves for a childless life?

How could Haisley be pregnant?

During these three years, had his body recovered?

Seeing my odd mood, Asher's eyes flashed with conflict, but the vibration of his phone seemed to steel his resolve. "Aria, I'll explain everything when I get back. There's an urgent matter at the company."

"I've been taking care of you for these three years, and haven't worked in so long. Things have piled up at the office."

I remained silent for a moment, then agreed.

Asher walked to the doorway, paused to think, then added, "Everyone knows you're awake and wants to celebrate. I'll come back to pick you up tomorrow evening, so you can see your old friends then too."

"And my parents, they want to see you as well."

I considered it and thought it wasn't a bad idea. Before leaving, I could see my former friends one last time. My in-laws had treated me well, so I might as well say goodbye to them too.

I knew full well where Asher had gone, and even though my heart ached uncontrollably, I could still endure it.

The entire next day, Asher didn't return home.

It wasn't until evening that he finally came home, looking exhausted.

Seeing me, he forced a faint smile.

I wanted to help him tidy up his clothes one last time, just like I used to three years ago.

But when I suddenly moved closer, he instinctively took a step back.

My hand froze in mid-air.

Asher hesitated for a moment, then quickly stepped forward to make amends, "I'm just used to doing it myself, but darling does it better."

I nodded, swallowing the bitterness in my heart.

It was the last time anyway.

"Let's go, Mom and Dad are waiting for us."

We arrived together at the hotel Asher had booked.

For the canary yellow dress I loved most, I put it on specially for this meeting.

The hotel had been reserved exclusively, and unfamiliar faces weren't allowed in.

From afar, the waiter called out loudly, "Welcome, Mr. Blakely, welcome Miss Winters."

I frowned. Asher strode forward, his anger suddenly intensifying, "Are you all blind? This is my wife. Her last name is Grey, not Winters!"

It was the first time everyone had seen Asher like this. Frightened, they immediately apologized to me.

"We're so sorry, Miss Grey. So you're Mrs. Blakely! We've prepared a welcome ceremony for you. Please, come in."

Only after I entered did Asher follow, barely containing his temper.

Asher had indeed put some thought into this.

My college classmates, my former colleagues.

My father-in-law and mother-in-law were already there.

But why did they look so surprised when they saw me?

My mother-in-law walked over, tears in her eyes as she took my hand, "Aria, why didn't you tell us you were awake?"

"You don't know how much we owe to Haisley these past few years."

She hadn't finished speaking when Asher cut her off.

"Mom, why are you saying all this? If it wasn't for Aria, I'd be the one lying in that bed for three years."

Hearing this, she realized he was right and started feeling sorry for me again.