Chapter 3

I collapsed onto the hospital corridor floor, drowning in a tidal wave of despair.

Just then, a soft, caring voice broke through my misery, "Milania?"

I lifted my head, heart pounding—and there it was. That face I could never forget, standing right in front of me.

"Emanuel..." I whispered, staring at him, barely able to believe my eyes. 'Am I dreaming? How could he be here?' I thought.

Emanuel Curry was the boy who'd grown up beside me. Three years ago, he left for overseas studies, and I was sure I'd never see him again.

"How come you're here?" he asked, his tone gentle and full of concern.

"My... my son is sick..." I stammered, barely holding back tears.

Without a moment's hesitation, Emanuel turned to the nurse. "I'll cover all his expenses. I want the best doctor here, right away."

"Emanuel, I..." I started, my voice trembling.

"Don't say anything," he said softly, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Right now, let's just get your son the help he needs."

At that moment, all I wanted was to throw myself into his arms and cry my heart out.

But I couldn't. I was Asher's wife. Even if he didn't care about me anymore, I couldn't cross that line.

"Thank you. Once Joshua is better, I'll pay you back," I said, forcing myself to sound strong.

Emanuel looked at me, a flicker of concern flashing in his eyes. "Milania, things haven't been easy for you, have they?"

I stayed silent. The answer was painfully obvious.

The surgery went really well—Joshua had pulled through. Seeing him lying there, finally safe and asleep on the hospital bed, I felt a huge weight lift off my chest.

"Mommy..." Joshua mumbled, his voice so soft and weak as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Sweetie, you're awake!" I blurted out, grabbing his little hand tight, my voice shaking with relief.

"Mommy, did Daddy come to see me?" he asked, his eyes full of hope.

My heart twisted painfully.

"Daddy... Daddy's just really busy with work," I lied, trying to sound reassuring.

Joshua closed his eyes, disappointment written all over his face. "I knew it. Daddy doesn't love us."

Hearing those words from my son, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

My little boy, just five years old, could already feel how cold and uncaring his father was. Knowing that made me feel like I'd failed him as a mom.

That night, I got a photo from Asher.

In the picture, he and Tessa were wrapped up in each other's arms on a cruise ship, with fireworks lighting up the sky behind them.

The caption read: [Watching the most beautiful view with the person I love most.]

While Joshua's life hung in the balance, Asher was off having a romantic time with another woman.

Looking at that picture, it was like every bit of hope inside me had faded away.

'How could you be so heartless, Asher? Do Joshua and I really mean nothing to you?' I thought, grief and anger flooding my chest.

Joshua's condition finally stabilized, but the doctor said he needed a month of quiet recovery.

Emanuel visited us at the hospital without fail, always making sure to bring along treats Joshua loved.

"Emanuel, why are you so nice to us?" Joshua asked, wide-eyed and innocent.

Emanuel smiled, softly ruffling his hair. "Because your mom means the world to me. She's my closest friend."

His words left my heart tangled in a swirl of complicated feelings.

'If I'd never married Asher… If I'd chosen Emanuel back then, would my life be this full of pain right now?' I couldn't help but ask myself.

"Milania, what's on your mind?" Emanuel asked, noticing how lost I looked.

"It's nothing," I said, forcing a smile.

"If you ever need to talk, just say it," he said, settling in beside me. "You know I'm here for you, no matter what."

I stayed quiet for a long time, then finally shook my head. "Emanuel, thank you. But some things... there's just no point in talking about them."

"Is this about Asher?" he said gently, seeing right through me.

I looked at him in surprise. "How did you know?"

"I heard about everything that happened between you and Asher before I went abroad three years ago," he said, a flicker of sadness passing through his eyes. "Milania, did you regret it?"

'Do I regret it?' That question echoed in my heart, like it always did.

I'd asked myself that—over and over, more times than I could count.

'If not for that night... If I'd never ended up married to Asher, what would my life look like now?' The thought kept haunting me.

But then I remembered Joshua. He was my greatest blessing—no matter how much it hurt sometimes, I could never regret bringing him into the world.

"I don't regret anything," I said, my voice steady and sure. "Having Joshua is all I need."

Emanuel gazed at me, all that raw affection in his eyes. "Milania, if you ever want to start over, I'll always be here, waiting for you."

My heart gave a messy little lurch—but I forced myself to calm down. "Emanuel, let's just stay friends," I said softly.

He nodded, and even though some disappointment flickered in his gaze, he respected my decision.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open.

Asher stood there, his face so dark it looked like a storm was brewing.

"What are you two doing?" he asked, his voice icy.

I quickly stood up. "Asher, how come you're here?" I asked, surprised by his sudden appearance.

He didn't respond to me. Instead, he walked over to Joshua's bed and, for once, reached out to softly touch Joshua's hair, his gesture unexpectedly gentle.