My girlfriend had cancer.

To raise one million dollars for her treatment, I took on five jobs, barely getting five hours of sleep each night.

I even sold the house my parents left me and emptied our family savings.

After raising the money, I caught her drinking with another man at the bar where I worked.

That's when I realized I had been scammed. She didn't have cancer and was the daughter of the Wilson Group.

And she used my hard-earned money to support others.

For her, our relationship was just for fun.

But to me, she was everything in my life.

As I worked tirelessly for her treatment, my health deteriorated, and I began coughing up blood. The doctor warned me I might have only a week left.

1

I pursued Caroline for three years and eventually won her heart.

She was beautiful and stylish, had a sweet voice, and was an excellent cook.

During her school years, she had many admirers, with some joking that the line of suitors was as long as the university next door.

However, her troubled childhood left her yearning for family love, relying solely on her younger brother.

This background and life's burdens deterred many suitors but allowed me to draw closer to her.

We lived together for five years.

Most of her earnings supported her brother's education, while I covered the rent, utilities, and daily expenses.

I also made sure to give her gifts during holidays, like perfume and bags.

Despite the financial strain, I felt delighted.

She often apologized, saying, "Honey, I'm sorry, but my brother's tuition is high, and I can't ignore it."

I reassured her, "Don't worry. After we get married, your brother will be my family too, and caring for him is only right."

She always responded gratefully, "Thank you, honey."

Sometimes, after we shared a tender moment, she would express a hint of sadness, asking, "Honey, if I'm not around one day, will you come to me?"

I would caress her cheek and gently reply, "I will find you wherever you are."

She said, "We will be together forever, even in death, lying in the same grave."

I replied, "Of course, not only in the afterlife but even in reincarnation."

She would suddenly freeze and shake her head, "No, honey, that would make us siblings."

I said, "Then I will love you like a brother and never let you marry anyone else."

Moved to tears, she hugged me tightly, sobbing softly.

Later, she playfully left a mark on my neck, which could not be washed off.

It was kind of a symbol of our happiness.

I thought these simple, beautiful days would last forever.

But fate shattered our tranquility with a sick note.

She fainted in the kitchen while preparing dinner for me.

When I rushed her to the hospital, the diagnosis was terminal cancer.

Her life was now on a countdown.

I sat by the hospital bed, trembling and in tears, while the children teased me.

The word "cancer" felt like a devastating blow to our family.

Confronted with an operation costing nearly a million dollars, I felt utterly powerless.

At that moment, I berated myself, "Micah, you're useless. You can't even protect the one you love. What kind of man are you?"

Memories of our dreams flooded back.

"Micah, I want to feel the sea breeze at the beach, ride elephants, and take beautiful pictures."

"Finally, I want to welcome our lovely children with you."

These dreams remained unfulfilled, overshadowed by life's harsh realities.

Fate seemed to toy with the already unfortunate.

The doctors warned me that time was running out and the operation needed to happen quickly.

To cover the costs, I sold the house my parents left me and borrowed their savings.

Ultimately, I even took out a significant bank loan to gather the funds for the surgery.

On the eve of the operation, I knelt by the hospital bed, holding her hand tightly, tears flowing, "Honey, you must be strong. I've raised the money for your operation. You can focus on your treatment."

Caroline smiled gently but sadly, caressing my head and asking, "Micah, where did you get your money?"

Though I tried to shield her from worry, she pressed for the truth.

When I revealed everything, her eyes filled with tears, and her voice trembled, "Micah, I'm sorry for making you sacrifice so much for me. I'm such a bad woman. I don't deserve your kindness to me."

I hugged her tightly, reassuring her, "No. Don't say that, I did this willingly."

Touched by my words, Caroline sobbed, "Honey, will you propose to me?"

I finally waited for the happiest time in my life.

I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

My life was nearing completion.

But the next day, I had to juggle five jobs to repay the enormous debt.

During the day, I worked at a construction site and washed dishes at a restaurant. At night, I worked as a waiter in a bar.

Then, as I opened the door to a luxury box, I was stunned to see Caroline raising a glass with a strange man.

Nowa Bar was the most luxurious bar in Tumbrin, with the presidential private room requiring a minimum spend of 88,888 dollars.

At this moment, Caroline was in a bold red dress that accentuated her allure.

She stood at the center of attention among several young, wealthy men.

I know all these men. They were regulars at the bar.

The transformation of Caroline, usually gentle and calm, into an imposing queen shocked me.

Beside her was a familiar male celebrity, Jasper.

The two of them drank from a glass of wine in front of me.

Jasper said, "Caroline, thanks for paving the way for me in the entertainment industry over the years. Let's toast to our friendship."

Another young man teased, "Caroline, I hear you're still dating that poor guy. He probably doesn't know all his earnings are going to support others. I admire your skill in pretending to be sick to force him to break up."

Another person was grinning, "I heard he sold his house and borrowed from everywhere for you. Such a dedicated person. If I weren't a guy, I'd want to marry him."

Caroline surveyed the room and replied calmly, "I'm just playing with him. We'll break up when I'm tired of him."

After saying that, every man pulled out their bank cards for her.

"Caroline, I'm willing to admit defeat!"

"You're awesome. You've been playing with a low-class guy for five years. I can't do it."

"You are not really in love with him, are you? You are the daughter of the Wilson Group, and he is just a low-level worker. The gap between your status is too big, and he is not worthy of you."

At this, Caroline laughed lightly, "After I find a reason to break up with him, I'll date someone else."

The men eagerly jostled to catch Caroline's attention.

"Pick me, Caroline. I'm obedient."

"I'm strong."

This scene overwhelmed me.

After three years of courting and five years of loving, I had placed everything on the line for her, even accumulating debt.

Yet, I was now labeled the "poor man" and "low-level man" by the very people she entertained.

My unwavering love for her had become a mere wager among them.