Chapter 1

There was a promotional health check-up event, and my husband, Curtis, and I both went for examinations. Surprisingly, Curtis was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

The doctor said that with active treatment, it was still possible to recover.

I was afraid Curtis couldn't bear the news, so I knelt and begged the doctor to put my name on the diagnosis instead.

However, after Curtis found out that I had cancer, he completely changed from his usual good-guy behavior.

Not only did he invite his first love, Cara, into our home, but he also made me serve her like a nanny while she was pregnant.

*****

As I walked out of the hospital, gripping the diagnosis report, my gaze was vacant and lifeless.

Curtis was so young—how could he possibly have stomach cancer?

I kept thinking about how I could make sure he got treated without ever knowing the truth.

Lost in my thoughts, I accidentally bumped into a couple locked in a passionate embrace.

I quickly apologized, but when I looked up and saw who it was, I froze.

It was Curtis—my husband, the one with cancer.

His arm was around Cara's waist.

Cara gave me a sly wink, shooting me a defiant look.

If it weren't for that tiny mole on his earlobe, I would've thought he was just someone who looked like Curtis.

When Curtis saw me, he froze for a split second too, guilt flickering in his eyes as he subtly let go of Cara's waist, trying not to make it obvious.

He stammered, "W-What are you doing here?" His tone betrayed his guilt. "Were you following me?"

"What shady thing did you do that you think I'd bother tracking you down?" I shot back, staring him down while he refused to meet my eyes. "And you two—"

Before I could even finish, Cara jumped in and cut me off. "Aurora, why do you look so pale? Your lips are almost colorless. Don't tell me you're here for—"

Cara's eyes sliding from my face down to my stomach, her words loaded with meaning. "Don't tell me you came to the hospital for an abortion."

Suddenly, Cara covered her mouth and glanced at Curtis, feigning innocence. "Honey, don't get the wrong idea. I was just talking nonsense—Aurora would never actually cheat on you."

"Aurora, you're not mad at me, right? You know I just say whatever's on my mind. I didn't mean to expose you like that," she went on, pretending to be all innocent.

"Curtis is such a great guy, Aurora. How could you be so clueless? You're basically trampling all over his pride as a man," she finished, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

As she spoke, she hid behind Curtis, like I was some wild beast about to attack.

"Cut the crap, Cara. I—" I started trying to defend myself.

But before I could finish, Curtis cut me off. "Aurora, you cheated, and now you think you're in the right?" He snapped at me, his voice sharp with accusation.

"You're the one who can't control yourself, and now you're blaming everyone else? If you even think about going after Cara, you'll pay for it," he threatened, his eyes blazing with fury.

Curtis's face twisted with fury at the thought of his pride being stomped on. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

The slap rang out, and people started gathering around to watch the show.

I held my burning cheek, staring at him in utter disbelief.

"Y-You hit me?" I could barely get the words out.

Curtis had never even raised his voice at me, let alone hit me.

He had never hit me before—let alone in public, with everyone watching.

And just like that, he believed Cara's twisted story and turned against me.

Well, that was to be expected.

This was Cara. His first love.

First love was something no one could really compete with.

But even so, he shouldn't have refused to listen to my explanation.

"Honey, don't hit Aurora. It's bad to make a scene in public. You should at least give her some dignity," Cara said, grabbing his fist, which ended up pressing right against her soft curves.

Honestly, it looked less like she was stopping a fight and more like she was hitting on him.

She pretended to be helping me out, but it was all to make herself look like a caring person.

I watched the whole scene, and honestly, it gave me the creeps.