Chapter 4

The moment I got the diagnosis, I signed myself up for hospitalization, chemo, and every treatment they could offer.

I was absolutely confident I could beat this.

This time, I'd got cash, the best doctor, and the finest medicine money could buy.

Chemo was still tough, but they caught it early, the treatment was way gentler, and all the meds were state-of-the-art.

Compared to the brutal side effects from the cheap drugs I had to suffer through in my previous life, this time I was honestly holding up a lot better.

Aside from losing my hair and getting a bit thinner, I actually had enough energy to go out for walks every day.

And thanks to the meds my doctor put me on, I didn't have to experience even a single wave of that agonizing pain pancreatic cancer would bring.

After a month of treatment, my doctor really gave me a lot of hope.

He told me that if I could just tough out two more rounds of chemo, there was a good chance I'd be able to leave the hospital. That tiny spark of hope set my whole heart on fire.

In my previous life, my biggest dream was simply to get healed and keep on living.

But just when I was about to pay for my third round of treatment, the hospital suddenly informed me that my card had been frozen. I couldn't pay for my medical bills anymore.

Honestly, I didn't even flinch when the nurse told me. As long as Curtis and I were still married, he still had to cover my medical bills, whether he liked it or not.

So that day, I just told the nurse I needed to leave for a while and grabbed a cab straight to Curtis's office.

But as soon as I walked in, the receptionist at the front desk stopped me. "Sorry, Ms., if you want to see Mr. Bennett, you'll have to book an appointment ahead of time."

I just gave the receptionist a faint smile and pulled out our marriage certificate. "Does this mean I can see Curtis now?"

The receptionist glanced at it and then shot up from her seat, flustered. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Bennett, I didn't realize it was you."

I just shook my head calmly and followed her to the elevator.

As I walked through the office, I could feel people staring at me, sizing me up.

I knew I looked like a total mess, rocking a bald head, a hospital gown, and a thick puffy jacket, but honestly, I didn't feel embarrassed at all.

Back in my previous life, after the divorce, when I was flat broke and desperate for treatment, I actually came to Curtis's office, hoping he'd lend me some money.

But no luck, I couldn't have even gotten through the front door. The receptionist shut me out before I could have taken a single step inside.

After all, at that time, all I had was a divorce certificate. No marriage certificate to wave around.

Just as I arrived at the doorway of the top floor, I could already hear playful laughter and lively conversation drifting out from the office.

One of them said, "Jessica, Mr. Bennett asked me to get a lawyer to draft the divorce papers. Is he really thinking about getting divorced? He should've done it ages ago. We've never even seen his wife.

"Who knows what kind of woman she is? I heard she's just a useless housewife. She must've just lucked out to land a guy like Mr. Bennett. Honestly, only someone like you is truly a match for him."

"Exactly. Last time I went with Mr. Bennett to meet clients, everyone kept asking where you were. They said Mr. Bennett just wasn't himself without you around, and he wouldn't even join them for a drink."

Jessica just smiled faintly. "Come on, what are you guys talking about? Mr. Bennett and I are just friends. My dad really admires him, so he sent me here to learn from him.

"There's no way I'd get involved with him while he's still married. But honestly, that divorce is probably just around the corner."

Listening to their conversation, I couldn't help but smirk.

So, this was the difference between being loved and not.

Back before Jessica started working here, Curtis was strict. No one dared to chat or gossip in the secretaries' area.

But now, people gossiped as much as they wanted here.

Still, I just smiled calmly, pushed open the glass door, and walked in. "Sorry to break it to you all, but Mr. Bennett isn't getting a divorce. He'll be a widower before that ever happens."

Everyone stared at me in shock.

Jessica's expression cracked, panic flashing across her face as she darted a look at everyone around her. She blurted out, "What are you doing here? Didn't Curtis tell you not to come to the office?"

I met her gaze calmly. "Did Curtis tell you I wasn't allowed here? He must be lying to you."

Without another word, I pulled the card out of my bag. "Was it you who had my card frozen, or was it Curtis?"

Jessica's face went crimson in an instant. "How would I know?"

I nodded. "Alright, I'll go ask Curtis."

With that, I turned to head for Curtis's office, but Jessica rushed over and gripped my wrist, the one with the IV catheter still in it.

She blocked my way, hissing, "You can't go in. Curtis is in a meeting."

Pain shot through my wrist the moment she grabbed me. The IV catheter probably came out.

With a quick motion, I pushed her hand off and slapped her hard across the face.

Jessica was so shocked that she just held her cheek and stared at me, totally stunned.

I calmly pulled up my sleeve, and sure enough, blood was already oozing from my wrist. The IV catheter had gotten twisted under my skin. I pulled it out, frowning as I pressed on the bleeding spot.

"You were the one who made me bleed first, so I slapped you. You've had IVs before, you know how much it hurts when the needle comes out. So don't go blaming me," I said.

Jessica clutched her face, glaring at me with pure hatred. "How dare you hit me? I'm Curtis's secretary. He's in a meeting, and I was just doing my job by keeping you out. What's wrong with that?"

In my previous life, I already knew Jessica was hopeless when it came to understanding people.

But even in this life, she's still just as clueless.

With a resigned sigh, I glanced over at the other secretaries. "You guys understood what I mean, didn't you?"

They all stared at me, too freaked out to nod or shake their heads.