6
After leaving the riverside, I returned home.
I changed into clean clothes, then pulled out a suitcase and began packing my things.
I didn’t want Fiona anymore, nor did I want to stay in the home we’d shared for years.
Once I finished packing, I left a divorce agreement on the table and dragged my suitcase out.
As I reached the door, I saw Fiona rushing back.
“Lachlan, what are you doing?”
She anxiously blocked my path, her eyes red, her tone pleading, “Please don’t go, okay? I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have lost my mind and tried to drown you. I thought you’d never recover, I just wanted you to be free! Lachlan, you can hit me or scold me, just don’t leave me. I waited so long for you to be normal again, I can’t lose you again…”
Before she could finish, she was already sobbing.
I sighed, gently brushing her hand away, “Fiona, there’s no point in talking. Let’s part on good terms.”
I dragged my suitcase and left without locking back.
Fiona collapsed in tears on the ground.
Suddenly, she felt another sharp pain in her chest, like needles, lasting a long time, identical to the symptoms when she first had breast
cancer.
Terrified, she ignored her grief and immediately took a cab to the hospital.
After a series of tests, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, late stage, with lung metastasis.
The doctor said the treatment would be very difficult and the cost would be at least fifty thousand dollars.
Fiona felt like her world had crumbled.
She couldn’t believe it.
Three years ago, the doctor had declared her cured, how could it suddenly return?
Was this heaven’s punishment for her heartlessness?
Fiona couldn’t accept it, clutching the report tightly, she squatted on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
She couldn’t understand why her life, at just 28, was so full of hardship.
After crying for a long time, she took out her phone and tried calling me.
She thought to herself that no matter how big the grudge, I wouldn’t abandon her at a time like this.
But my phone rang for a long time without anyone answering.
Eventually her calls reached a dead end, with my phone turned off.
Fiona was devastated hysterically smashing her phone and kneeling on the ground, wailing,
12:11 PM
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Fiona was devastated, hysterically smashing her phone and kneeling on the ground, wailing.
With no other option, she turned to Dashiell.
Gone was the decisiveness from before, she apologized sincerely to Dashiell, “Dashiell, I’m sorry, I was too harsh yesterday, I regret it, I shouldn’t have cut ties with you, I actually still have feelings for you…”
Dashiell was overjoyed, hugging her tightly, “Fiona, I knew it! I knew the one you loved most was still me!”
Fiona hugged him back, sniffled, and cautiously said, “Dashiell, I went to the hospital for a check–up yesterday, and the doctor said my breast cancer has returned. Treatment will cost fifty thousand… can you help me?”
Dashiell’s body stiffened.
After a moment, he let go of her, pretending to comfort her, “It’s okay, Fiona, don’t worry, with me here, your illness will definitely be cured! I’ll stay by your side!”
“Okay” Fiona breathed a sigh of relief inside.
She naively believed that Dashiell would truly stand by her.
The next day, Dashiell took her to a bigger hospital in the city for a more comprehensive check–up.
The results were the same: late–stage breast cancer, lung metastasis.
When the doctor mentioned the need for a full mastectomy, Dashiell’s expression changed instantly.
He immediately let go of Fiona’s hand and turned to leave.
“Dashiell, where are you going?” Fiona grabbed him.
Dashiell looked at her with disdain and spat, “Fiona, if your breasts are going to be cut off, you won’t even be a woman anymore. Why would I stil! want you? I’m leaving, go find Lachlan for money for your treatment, he’s your husband. I’m not going to care anymore!”
Fiona was incredulous, glaring at him furiously, “Dashiell, you said yesterday you’d never leave me!”
Dashiell smirked, “Didn’t you say the same to Lachlan when he became out of it? What happened then? He’s your husband, and you still wanted him dead. How can you expect a fling to never leave you?”
Fiona stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.
She couldn’t argue with his words.
All she could do was watch him leave.
After Dashiell left, she collapsed to the ground, crying out in despair.
She suddenly remembered how, when she first had breast cancer, I had drained my savings to treat her, stayed by her side, and cared for her, helping her recover.
But now, I was gone.
She regretted it deeply.
Regretted being so heartless and breaking my heart.
She wished she could turn back time.
She couldn’t lose me.
She had to win back my heart.
