Chapter 4

Justin's face went pale with fury, but he stubbornly refused to step aside.

I was hurting all over, way too exhausted to even think about killing anyone. "The medicine Matthew gave you? That was mine originally. I gave it to him first. Hand it over."

Kadence froze for a moment, biting down on her lip. "You say you gave it? Got any proof? If Matthew gifted it to me, there's no way I'm giving it up, unless he asks me himself."

She glared at me with those big, innocent eyes. Her face looked all soft and helpless, but her gaze was nothing but challenging.

My expression turned cold as I raised my hand to slap her again, but this time, someone caught my wrist, and in the next instant, I was roughly thrown to the ground.

Because of the system's punishment, I'd been blasted straight to late-stage cancer. My body hurt everywhere, and I was wasting away even faster than Sophie ever did.

The second I hit the floor, agony shot through my entire body. My lower belly felt like it was being ripped apart.

I lay there, utterly humiliated and pale. I looked up, and that familiar face burned into my sight.

Matthew's handsome face was full of anger, concern flickering in his eyes as he brushed Kadence's cheek. Then he towered over me, looking down from above.

He didn't even notice the pain all over my face. All he cared about was standing up for the woman he loved.

He protested, "Carly, all this drama over a bottle of medicine? Your so-called best friend wanted to kill Kadence, and you even slapped her.

"Now she won't give it up, and you're still trying to fight over a present I gave her. How did you end up so twisted and mean? Honestly, I think our marriage is done for."

After Matthew became a doctor, a freak medical accident occurred. A crazed attacker tried to stab him, aiming straight for the hands that healed others. I was only there to drop off his lunch, but without a second thought, I grabbed the attacker's knife, risking my life to wrestle it away. I ended up with a deep wound on my arm.

He knelt by my hospital bed, tears glimmering in his eyes, and he told me, "Maybe I'm not the most interesting guy, but I'll be your husband for life. I'll protect you, always."

But now, those vows had turned to dust. The very hands I once saved were the ones that had just thrown me to the ground.

I lay there, sprawled out in humiliation, a cold, mocking laugh slipping out of me.

Caring about a guy would screw me over.

Sophie rushed over and slapped Matthew across the face.

"Matthew, are you blind? Can't you tell Carly is sick? She's dying, and you're still treating her like this? You bastard!" Sophie shouted.

As she cursed him, she helped me up, crying. Her heart was aching so much that it almost hurt to breathe.

Kadence and Justin were totally gobsmacked.

Matthew froze for a second, like he'd just now noticed I was wearing a hospital gown. His shock only lasted a moment before his face twisted in anger.

"I just gave you a check-up last month. How could you possibly be dying? Don't try to get out of a fight or a divorce by making up crap like this," he snapped.

I was hurting so badly, barely hanging on as something wet kept trickling out from my belly. Even mocking him took too much strength, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.

"Matthew... You're so disgusting. I can't take it anymore. We're done. I want a divorce," I said.

I didn't even bother to look at his face anymore. I just grabbed Sophie and tried to walk out. But as soon as I took the first step, my legs buckled, and I nearly hit the floor.

Sophie panicked. "Carly, you're bleeding!"

Blood kept gushing out beneath me, seeping right through my hospital gown.

I glanced down. The sight of all that red made my vision blurry. I was so damn mad and frustrated that I could taste blood in my mouth, barely managing to stay on my feet.

"Carly..." For the first time, Matthew's face showed real fear. He shoved Sophie aside, desperate to pick me up in his arms.

But I forced all the strength I had left into pushing him away. He panicked, saying, "Carly, come on. Don't do this."

I couldn't hold back the metallic taste in my throat anymore. I spat a mouthful of blood right in his face. Every ounce of strength drained out of me, and it felt like I could drop dead any second.

I stared him down, grief and hatred burning in my eyes.

I said, "Matthew, I'm dying. Even after I'm gone, I still want a divorce. You hear me? I forbid you to claim my body, and don't you dare call me your wife in the records."

Blood poured from my lips with every word, and as his face twisted in shock and fear, I let my eyes close.