After college, I left my penniless boyfriend, chasing dreams and dors with a wealthy heir abroad.


    Two yearster, I was sent packing back home, only to find my ex had made it big. He went to great lengths to marry me.


    Everyone said he was head over heels, ready to let bygones be bygones.


    Little did they know that he turned the table on me, changing lovers like shirts in a twisted revenge. He''d confront me, demanding why I wasn''t jealous, why I didn''t care.


    I''d only smile back. "Why should I care when I''m gonna die anyway?"


    On our third anniversary, Clyde Patterson set off fireworks by the beach with Ka Osborne while I curled up on the couch, endlessly dialing his number.


    "Sorry, the number you are calling is not avable..." The robotic voice echoed again, and I passed out.


    When I awoke, I was in a hospital bed, the doctor hesitating before me.


    "How long do I have?" I asked calmly.


    He gave a bureaucratic sigh. "With surgery now and regr chemotherapy, there''s still hope."


    I stared nkly at the ceiling, replying, "This is my second rpse."


    Pain pierced through me, sweat beading on my forehead.


    "Ms. Crawford, a new drug could inhibit the cancer cells. Each dose is $50,000."


    "If you could keep up with the medication for six months after the surgery..." He stopped, knowing I couldn''t afford it.


    I was Mrs. Patterson, the CEO''s wife, but I was penniless, dying my treatment further.


    Pulling myself up, I dressed. "Let''s schedule the surgery first."


    The surgery was a few thousand dors. Maybe I could manage that.


    Clutching the pendant around my neck, I felt an indescribable bitterness.


    Back home, I first thanked my neighbor, Brenda.


    She looked at me sympathetically. "Don''t mention it. It''s Rocky you should thank. I wouldn''t have known you had fainted if it wasn''t for his barking. Good thing the ambnce came in time. You young folks need to look after yourselves."


    Rocky, my adopted Labrador, was my savior.


    One month after Clyde and I married, he brought another woman home. Their unabashed actions, loud as if to ensure I heard, were a p in my face.


    Heter justified it. "You reap what you sow."


    After a huge fight, I left home distraught, finding Rocky abandoned with distemper outside a vet clinic.


    Our eyes met in shared despair. Both of us got thrown away, clinging to life reluctantly.


    I traded my gold ne to save Rocky. Then, he saved me.


    Choking up, I couldn''t bring myself t him. "Brenda, I might need to pitalized for a while. Could


    to pet


    yuh for a while. C


    you please look after Rocky for me?"


    Knowing Brenda''s pet dog passedst year, I was sure she''d help. Sure enough, she agreed, urging me to take care of myself.


    Watching them leave, at least I knew Rocky would be cared for after I was gone.


    But returning home, I realized I had overestimated my resources. The surgery''s cost was beyond my reach.


    Clyde was generous with expensive


    clothes, bags, and jewelry, but


    behind closed doors, every dress jewelry for events required his approval. He imed I never


    el.ne


    contributed to our home and didn''t deserve unrestricted ess to its luxuries.


    When ncing at my phone, thepany gossip chat was abuzz with Clyde and Ka''s spectacle.


    [Is Mr. Patterson serious this time? Doesn''t he change lovers monthly?]


    [Definitely. Ka''s been with him for nearly three months, right?]


    [They celebrated Valentine''s Day by the beach with fireworks. It was so romantic. Did you see Ka''s diamond ne? Blinded by its sparkle!]


    [Wasn''t Valentine''s Day also when Mr. Patterson got married? Weren''t we all there?]


    Iughed at the irony. My colleague


    remembered our anniversary, yet Clyde did not. I had hoped to settle things amicably, to part on good terms Facing the cold dinner on the table, I stepped out, realizing didn''t need him, just the money.


    When I arrived at the Patterson Group, Ka was basking in attention, unting the ne Clyde had given her.


    "Ka, Mr. Patterson spoils you. That must''ve cost tens of thousands!"RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "You kidding? That''s from M''s new collection, easily over a hundred thousand."


    Ka adjusted her hair smugly. "Well, he insisted, saying nothing''s too expensive for me."


    I watched from the office doorway, the irony biting. I was dying and without a penny for my surgery while Clyde easily splurged on his mistress.


    Ka''s eyes met mine with disdain. "Which department are you from? Don''t know thepany rules, huh?"


    Herpanions nudged her, whispering. "Ka, that''s the boss''s wife, Mnie Crawford."


    Her arrogance faltered, then red again, "This is the famous campus belle, Mnie? What a joke."