Chapter 1
Five years after her divorce from Harrison Vance, Essie Greene ran into him by chance at the hospital during a prenatal checkup.
Harrison was dressed in a hospital gown, a bandage wrapped around his forehead.
He stood in the bustling hospital lobby, looking completely lost.
The moment he saw Essie, his eyes reddened with emotion.
Harrison rushed over, wrapping her in a trembling embrace.
He said, "Essie, why did you take so long?
"Everyone keeps saying we're divorced, but we loved each other so much, how could that be true? They're just messing with me, right?"
The cool, woody fragrance she knew so well, now tinged with the sharp tang of hospital disinfectant, wrapped around her like a memory.
Essie looked at him, frozen in disbelief.
His eyes, once icy and indifferent, were now filled with intense longing and love.
Honestly, it was ridiculous.
Essie didn't bother asking what was going on. She just pushed Harrison away.
Her voice was steady and distant as she said, "Harrison, we've been divorced for five years."
*****
Harrison was shaking as he looked at her, struggling to get the words out. "Why did we get divorced?"
Essie gave a faint, almost bitter smile.
"Because you cheated on me," she replied.
She hadn't loved him in years.
All the color drained from Harrison's face. He looked at her, ghostly pale.
Suddenly, a stylishly dressed woman rushed over, her face anxious and worried.
She clung to Harrison's arm.
Her voice thick with tears, saying, "Don't run off again, Harrison.
"I'm telling you, it's all true! You and Essie have been divorced for five years already.
"We've been married for five years. I'm the one you love now. I'm your wife."
Harrison didn't say a word. He just stared at Essie, his gaze unwavering.
The woman followed his gaze and finally noticed Essie standing across from them.
Her expression shifted instantly, her voice laced with panic and suspicion, and a sharp edge crept in.
"Essie? What are you doing here?" Carolyn blurted out.
Essie never expected to run into Harrison and Carolyn like this.
Six years ago, while out shopping, Essie had a sudden bout of low blood sugar and collapsed on the sidewalk.
It was Carolyn, who had been handing out flyers to pay for her tuition, who saved her and took her to the hospital.
Essie and Harrison were both grateful to her.
Seeing how poor Carolyn's family was, Essie and Harrison gave her money to help improve her situation, paid for her tuition, and living expenses. Even let her stay at the Vance family's house during school breaks, doing some odd jobs in the garden to earn a little extra.
But Essie never imagined that a girl who seemed so innocent and down on her luck would end up shattering her pride, turning her world upside down, and taking away the man she loved.
Carolyn, who used to be shy and meek, had spent the last seven years soaking up the good life.
Now, she had that air of superiority.
Essie snapped out of her memories and caught the wariness in Carolyn's eyes.
She held up her medical report.
"Just here for a checkup," Essie said coolly,
With that, Essie gave them a quick, dismissive glance and turned to walk away.
Harrison immediately rushed after her, desperate not to let her go.
"Essie..." he said.
Carolyn clung to his arm, trying to hold him back.
"Harrison, don't go! It's over between you and Essie. There's nothing left," Carolyn pleaded.
Harrison's expression was strained with pain, but he desperately tried to break free from Carolyn's grip.
"No, Essie and I can't be apart. Let me go..." Harrison insisted.
Carolyn held on for dear life, refusing to release his arm.
Harrison's face grew even paler, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Carolyn stared at him, panic flooding her eyes.
"Harrison, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Carolyn asked.
Harrison didn't answer. He just stared at her lips moving as she spoke, his head spinning.
His eyes stayed locked on Essie, and then, all of a sudden, he coughed up blood, splattering it across Carolyn's perfectly made-up face.
The next moment, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the floor.
Carolyn let out a terrified scream and scrambled to hold Harrison as he fell.
"Harrison, Harrison, what's wrong? Help! Somebody, please!" Carolyn screamed, panic flooding her voice.
Harrison's gaze was clouded with pain as he reached out toward Essie.
He murmured, "Essie... Essie..."
Essie gave him a calm, detached look, then turned and walked away.
Whatever happened between them was no longer her concern.
After her checkup, Essie snapped a photo of her medical report and sent it to her husband, Richard Clooney, who was away on a business trip.
[The doctor said everything's fine.]
Richard didn't text back. He called her.
His voice was low, with a touch of wistfulness.
"I don't want to sit through meetings with those old guys. I want to be with you," Richard said.
Richard was being extra needy, and Essie chuckled, trying to soothe him.
"Just a few more days, you'll be home," Essie said gently.
Richard sounded annoyed.