You Shine Much Less Than the Stars

When the mudslide happened, Cedric Harvey protected Lisa Cooke under him without hesitation.

I, Emily Webb, leaned forward in the back seat because of inertia. The rebar penetrated my right calf, and I might be disabled.

When the rescue team found us, Cedric could only take one person with him. He looked at me and Lisa.

"You are seriously injured. I can't take care of you. You may wait for the medical team!"

He carried Lisa, who was basically unharmed, and got on the rescue plane.

He left me, who was seriously injured, at the accident scene.

When I woke up in the hospital, I saw that Lisa had posted on Instagram.

[Thank you, my big hero, for always being by my side!]

Everyone was waiting for my response.

I commented, [You're perfectly matched. Why don't you get married?]

——

When I woke up in the hospital, seven days had passed. There were no relatives by my side, and the nurses had been taking care of me.

As I thought of my fiancé who left me, my eyes darkened.

I took out my phone, which was dead already. I borrowed a charger and turned on my phone, and there was no text from Cedric. Just as I was about to turn off the phone, I saw Cedric's name on the screen.

As soon as the call connected, his questioning voice came through. He said, "Emily, what the fuck? Lisa had a heart condition. Given the situation, what's wrong with me taking her away? We had already been rescued, and the second batch of rescuers was on their way. You could come back with them. I left in advance because I had to deal with a project worth tens of millions of dollars in the company. Your job doesn't pay much. What are you fussing about? You haven't answered my calls for so many days!"

I calmly listened to his questioning. He didn't ask me how I was doing. Instead, he questioned me. He belittled me while standing up for Lisa.

After he finished venting, I said in a hoarse voice, "I'm in the hospital..." But before I could finish, he interrupted me, "Emily, can you stop using such despicable means to get my attention? You really sicken me because you always try to attract my attention like this. You just won't believe there's nothing going on between me and Lisa, and that's why you've been like this. Stop thinking everyone is like you, OK? Nothing has ever happened between Lisa and I. Stop being so paranoid. No wonder Lisa always says you're so suspicious."

After speaking, he hung up on me, and then I called him back only to find that he had blocked me.

I laughed at myself and found a caregiver for myself.

I wouldn't neglect my own health just because Cedric was a jerk.

I stayed in the hospital for fifteen days, and during that time, Cedric didn't call me once.

I had surgery regarding the steel rod in my leg. Although I might limp a little, I got to hold on to my leg. I was grateful.

From now on, I'd love myself more.

Fifteen days later, I was discharged from the hospital. Unexpectedly, I received a call from Cedric. When the call connected, he asked me, "Emily, have you reflected on yourself?"

"Why should I?" I replied coldly.

Cedric was stunned by my tone, and then he suddenly softened his tone, saying, "You're my wife. I have always been faithful to you, but you just won't stop making a scene. It was a mudslide, OK? Lisa was terrified. Not to mention she had a heart disease. I just hope you can be a little sensible."

The more he spoke, the more confident he became. Maybe he had convinced himself.

He said to me, "I know it was wrong to leave you that day. I have made a reservation at a restaurant. Shall I pick you up for dinner?"

His tone wasn't exactly nice, but after being with him for so many years, I knew that this was his way of apologizing.

But after experiencing life and death and being abandoned by him, I no longer had any hope for him.

During my hospitalization, I reflected on my past with Cedric and realized that when one invested too much in a relationship, they'd become especially afraid of losing and especially humble.

I spoiled Cedric because I cared too much about him, so he punished me and embarrassed me however and whenever he wanted.

In the past, when hearing his indirect apology, I always accepted it immediately. I ignored the problems we had and reconciled with him.

So, his friends didn't think much of me, all thinking I was a simp.

I figured they were right. I was indeed a simp, and that was why I meant nothing to Cedric.

When I heard him invite me to dinner, I suddenly became calm. I said, "Come pick me up at the hospital."

After he heard it, he was silent for a second. Perhaps he thought about how he had scolded me that day. He was surprised that I was really at the hospital.

He spoke gently and insisted on coming to pick me up.

I waited for a long time. It was dark, and I took a taxi home by myself. After eating takeout, Cedric was still nowhere to be seen.

I tidied myself up while limping.

Then I saw Lisa's post on Instagram. It was a photo, and in the photo, someone was having a candlelit dinner with her. She posted, [I knew it. As long as I need you, you will always be there.]

I looked at the photo that was so romantic and suddenly let go.

In Cedric's eyes, I could never compare to Lisa. As long as Lisa existed, I'd always be the one who got abandoned.

From making a big fuss to getting used to it, after experiencing life and death, I suddenly felt bored.

I was young and beautiful. Why would I put myself in a position to be chosen by a man?