Chapter 3

If it were any other day, I probably would've argued back. But right now, I didn't have the energy to say a word.

They were right. Zane had always treated me well.

We'd been together since college, and after seven years of dating, we finally got married.

For three years after we tied the knot, he did almost all the chores, spoiling me like a princess.

I was ambitious, and he always had my back, supporting me quietly.

Whenever I had to work late, no matter how late it was, he'd come pick me up.

When my period hit and the cramps came, he'd already have the heating pad warmed up and a mug of hot cocoa waiting.

His love surrounded me like air. I couldn't see it, but it was always there.

I got used to it. Then I stopped noticing it altogether. I took his devotion for granted.

Only now did it hit me how precious a thing I'd lost.

A wave of regret and fear crashed over me, pulling me under.

I covered my face, crouched on the floor, and let out a choked, animal-like whimper.

Just then, the doctor seemed to remember something. "Oh, right, we tried calling the patient's emergency contact, but the number wouldn't go through."

I jerked my head up.

Emergency contact? Wasn't that me?

My phone number was the only emergency contact listed in Zane's file.

I looked at the doctor, a hint of confusion in my eyes.

The doctor seemed to notice my confusion and explained, "The first emergency contact in the patient's file isn't you."

Not me? How could that be?

Ever since Zane and I got married, we'd always made each other the first emergency contact in every account and record. That was our deal.

When May heard that, it was like she'd found something to use against me. Her sneer grew even more pronounced.

She stepped right up to me, looking down her nose, and enunciated every word with deliberate cruelty. "Doctor, don't waste your time on her. My son changed his emergency contact a long time ago."

Those words struck me like a thunderclap, blasting through my mind.

My heart felt seized by an invisible fist, crushed so tight I couldn't draw breath.

Zane changed his emergency contact? When did that happen? Why didn't I know anything about it?

A deeper, bone-chilling cold shot straight up my spine.

I stared at May numbly, my lips trembling. It took every ounce of strength to force out the words. "Who did he change it to?"

May looked down at me, a cruel smile playing at her lips. "Whoever he picked, it's still better than you. You are a venomous woman who's waiting to jump into another marriage."

I froze, my blood turning to ice.

I stared at May's smug, spiteful face and barely managed to rasp out the question. "Who?"

"Sophie," May said. Her voice was soft, but it struck like a sledgehammer against my heart.

Sophie Blake. Of course, I knew that name.

She was Zane's childhood sweetheart, the girl his parents had always dreamed would become their daughter-in-law.

She was gentle, beautiful, smart, and classy. The perfect woman in the eyes of every elder. And a thorn in my side.

Back then, Zane had defied his family to choose me, firm and unwavering.

For that, May had given me nothing but the cold shoulder for three full years.

I thought Zane's decision proved everything. I thought Sophie was nothing but history.

But now, reality slapped me hard across the face.

When his life was hanging by a thread, the person Zane turned to, the one he trusted, was Sophie, not me, his rightful wife.

I looked at the doctor in despair, praying he'd tell me it wasn't true.

But the doctor pushed up his glasses, checked his notes, and said calmly, "Yeah, the patient's first emergency contact is Sophie Blake.

"Once we got hold of her, she came straight to the hospital and signed the surgery consent form.

"She also paid for the surgery out of her own pocket."

With every word the doctor spoke, my face turned even paler.

Turned out that while I was in the dark, while I was shutting Zane out over some ridiculous fight, another woman had stepped in and taken my place as his wife.

It was Sophie who stayed by his side when he needed me most.

And me, the so-called wife? I was nothing but a complete joke.