Debt of Gratitude

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When I saw my husband and his intern making out in the company lounge, reflected in the mirror

I didnt scream, or snap photos, or quietly plot revenge.

Instead, I went to Legal, drafted a divorce agreement, and waited in my office for them to finish.

When they emerged, Silas had the girl, Olivia, completely hidden behind him, shielded.

I lost control, its my fault. Name your price, just dont bother her.

The way he protected her, like she was his precious heart

It was as firm and unwavering as hed been ten years ago, standing before my parents, defending me.

If you wont cure her, I will! Its just cancer, isnt it? Ill sell everything I own to get her well! If you dont want her, I do! From now on, I am her only family!

I smiled through the ache in my chest. My expression was gentle as I pushed the divorce agreement toward him.

Consider this divorce agreement repayment for saving my life back then. Were even.

1.

The girls trembling moans signaled the end of their tryst.

Silas slowly led Olivia out. Seeing me, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

But it quickly smoothed into calm.

He settled the shaky Olivia onto the sofa, his expression distant.

I had planned to tell you at a more suitable time, but since youve found out already, Ill be direct. Ive lost the passion of love for you; only the habit of companionship remains. If you can accept her, well continue as before.

His words were a knife slicing through my heart. I never imagined hed cheat with his secretary.

Even less did I expect him to be so candid, as if infidelity was just a small white lie.

My hands clenched, my voice trembling. How long?

He idly spun his wedding ring on his finger. A year and a half.

That was right after my last chemotherapy session.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something.

Olivia suddenly clutched her stomach. Mr. Croft, I my stomach hurts.

Silas didnt wait to hear what I had to say. He immediately called for the family doctor.

Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Chen arrived.

After taking her pulse, his expression was hesitant, glancing at me briefly. Ms. Peterson is pregnant. It seems the frequent intimacy might have irritated things. Its best to go to the hospital for a check-up.

Olivia, her eyes red, chided him. Its all your fault! You didnt use protection last time! And you were so rough just now, so many times. I told you to stop, but you wouldnt!

Silas ignored me completely, lowering his head to apologize. My fault, it wont happen again.

The doting tone made my heart clench.

It had been so long since hed spoken to me so gently. I had to clench my palms tightly to hold back my tears.

Olivia then seemed to notice me, pulling away from his embrace and speaking with a wronged air. Mr. Croft, please dont act like this in front of your wife. Shell be sad. Maybe we should forget about this baby; after all, its not exactly proper.

Silas frowned, gripping her hand. Forget about it? What do you mean? If I want you, I will naturally take responsibility! You focus on your pregnancy and have this child. Dont worry about anything else.

Were going to the hospital for a check-up right now!

Silas hastily scooped her up and rushed out.

As he strode away, the gust of wind from his clothes knocked me backward.

He paused, but didnt look back. You go home first. Dont come to the office for now; shes easily frightened.

The long-suppressed pain, triggered by the collision, spread through my entire body. Tears flowed ceaselessly, yet he was utterly oblivious. I knew I was no longer the person whose single tear would send him into a panic.

I looked around the office, now filled with the traces of a young woman. Contraceptives in the drawer, Olivias matching underwear sets. The pen holder now held several lipsticks in delicate shades. Cute labels on the file rack read Thinking of me today, too.

So, the perfunctory treatment at home, the phone he never let me see, his frequent late-night outings under the guise of work all because he had found someone more important.

And the debt of saving my life meant I couldn't even righteously ask why I was being betrayed.

I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

I called my lawyer. Draw up a divorce agreement for me. Ill take nothing.

Silas didnt return until after midnight, finding me alone on the sofa.

Seeing my face, his smile faded. He habitually reached for my sleeping pills. Cant sleep again? Didnt I tell you not to stay up late?

I didnt reply, instead handing him the signed divorce agreement. My voice was hoarse. Shes pregnant. Ive thought about it a lot. Since you love her, Ill step aside. Consider it repayment for saving my life.

Silas paused, a flicker of imperceptible anger in his eyes.

He tore the agreement to shreds. Her pregnancy is not unexpected. Your health hasnt allowed for children these past years. Her child will be your child. I wont divorce you. After all these years, you only have me. Ill give you dignity and respect, but as for love, Ill give it all to her as compensation.

Ive already spoken to her. She doesnt seek status; she just wants to be with me. You dont have to worry about her affecting your position. Just focus on raising the child. Dont dwell on meaningless things.

A sharp, delayed pain shot through my heart.

I still couldnt reconcile the distant man before me with the boy who once stayed by my bedside, swearing hed never let go of my hand.

After graduating college, I was diagnosed with early-stage cancer. My parents, who had originally wanted to marry me off for money, abandoned me upon hearing of my illness.

Silas gave up his postgraduate studies and entered the business world. He clawed his way from an ordinary person to the owner of a publicly traded company. He provided me with the best medical care, allowing us to love each other for a few more years.

During that time, his mother tried several times to get me to leave. He refused, threatening to die, saying I would be his only wife, that he would only love me.

I once believed this was the perfect ending to a fairy tale, where the hero and heroine overcame countless hardships to finally be together. But reality delivered a brutal blow just when I thought I could be happy forever.

Silas saw my ashen face and softened his tone. Youre wonderful. I just dont feel it anymore.

Its late. Get some rest. Ive arranged for Dr. Chen to look after her. Your health is pretty stable now; just go to the hospital if you have any issues.

Dr. Chen had cared for me for five years, a top doctor Silas had hired at great expense. I had told him before that my health was stable and I didnt need a live-in doctor anymore. He had insisted that my health was never something to be taken lightly.

I didnt say anything, just moved my belongings to the guest room. Silas instinctively reached out to grab my hand, then paused.

Good, shes pregnant and emotional. Sleeping separately will give her a sense of security. Tomorrow, find some time to move all your things to the guest room.

During my chemotherapy.

I was in so much pain that I couldnt sleep all night, which meant he didn't rest well either. I once snuck into another room in the middle of the night, but he got incredibly angry and carried me back. He said he couldnt rest easy if he wasnt by my side. He couldnt sleep soundly without my scent near him.

For over two thousand nights since then, we had slept in each others arms. Arguments and cold wars never separated us.

Now, he was saving himself for someone else.

I bit my lower lip hard, taking each step as if walking on nails, leaving the marriage bed that held so much of our profound emotions.

That night, tears soaked my pillow.

I had lost the last person in the world who loved me.

Early the next morning, with a pounding head, I took the divorce agreement to Silass mothers house. She never liked me, thinking I was a burden on her son. Hearing about Olivias pregnancy, she was even more eager for me to leave.

She gleefully prepared a new divorce agreement. Knowing my place, I was offered ten percent of his assets. She implicitly warned me not to bother Silas after taking the money.

I didnt refuse. After all, half a month ago, I had been diagnosed with a recurring tumor. It wasnt yet clear if it was benign or malignant.

She didn't bother with pleasantries, uncharacteristically speaking softly. I will do everything I can to make him sign it. You just prepare for your future.

After being politely escorted out of the Croft mansion by the butler, I numbly walked home.

But before I could even enter, Silass men grabbed me and took me to the hospital.

At the operating room door, his eyes were bloodshot. He furiously slapped me across the face.

Who told you to tell my mother about Olivias pregnancy? Do you know how much she hates illegitimate children? If I had been a moment later, she would have dragged Olivia in for an abortion!

Yesterday you acted all calm and detached, turns out you were playing hard to get! If anything happens to her, what will you use to compensate?

After the stinging pain on my cheek, came a numb haze. Ever since he took my fathers slap for me that year, he had said he would never let anyone hurt me again.

But in the end, he had ruthlessly slapped me himself.

I held back tears, about to speak, when the operating room door opened.

His anxiousness was more intense than when I had miscarried a year ago.

The doctors expression was grim. The pregnant woman shows signs of bleeding and is currently in critical condition. Family members should prepare blood as soon as possible.

He glared at me, his fury overflowing. Are you satisfied? If anything happens to her and the baby, you wont get off easy either!

He dragged me to the blood donation room. Shes the same blood type as the patient. Draw from her for backup.

I looked at him in disbelief.

A year ago, we had a child too. But because of my poor health and severe anemia, I bled and miscarried shortly after the diagnosis.

Dr. Chen frowned. Mr. Croft, your wife is not in good health herself. The last time she had a major hemorrhage perhaps I should donate instead.

Silass eyes flickered with hesitation, but under the doctors urgent prompting, he coldly ordered, Draw from her. The blood type matches.

The needle churned in my vein. I trembled uncontrollably from the pain.

But his gaze remained fixed on the operating room door, not sparing me a single glance.

Not until the light indicating the surgery was over went out, and I heard muffled conversations beside me.

My consciousness was too hazy to understand.

After a long while, just as I thought I could finally leave, my arms were held down.

Another needle was plunged into my other arm.

Silass urgent voice echoed in my ears. Not out of concern for my fading consciousness.

But, Dont change donors! Olivia is frail; its best for one person to donate blood to avoid any abnormalities. No matter how much, I just need to ensure the safety of her and the baby!

In my blurred state, I even wished I would just die right then. Returning this life to him would make us even.

But somehow, I was still alive.

When I woke again, it was late afternoon. Just as I was about to sit up, I heard rustling beside me.

Its all my fault. If I hadnt been so insecure back then, if I hadnt insisted you aborted her baby, she wouldnt have had that severe hemorrhage and her health wouldnt have deteriorated so much.

You already lied to her for me, and now youve hurt her again for my sake. I feel terrible about it.

Silas took a deep breath. Aborting her baby has nothing to do with you. I didnt want it myself. Her health isnt good, and that child would have been a burden. Besides, I cant give you legitimacy now; my child can only be born from you.

If youre truly remorseful, then from now on, protect our child well.

Listening to their sticky voices.

It felt like a piece of flesh had been ripped from my heart. The pain was so intense I could barely breathe.

Yet, he had said then that we would be just as happy even without children. He had said then that I was all he needed in this life.

I never imagined that the child who caused me countless sleepless nights of anguish was actually aborted by the man I loved most, just to appease his mistress.

I clutched the bedsheet tightly, tears still falling.

After the dull thud of a teardrop hitting the floor, the privacy curtain was pulled open.

Meeting my desperate, grief-stricken eyes, a flicker of guilt crossed Silass face.

He reached out to wipe my tears.

But I flinched away.

He sighed almost imperceptibly. Since you heard, theres nothing more to explain. Your health isnt good anyway, and losing the child was for your own good. Get some rest. Im taking her to a new room.

The hospital room door closed.

I could no longer hold back my sobs.

I frantically smashed everything in the room. The IV needle tore across my vein, piercing my skin.

But I felt no pain.

If I could, I truly wished I had died on the operating table during my cancer surgery that year.

Instead of being here, helpless, stabbed again and again by the person I loved most.

Perhaps out of guilt, during my week in the hospital, nutrient drips, various tonics, customized meals, and luxury jewelry flowed into my room.

Silas himself never appeared.

The doctors said he had been constantly by Olivias side for days. He hadn't slept for nights, nor had he gone to the company.

On the day of my discharge, he came to pick me up. He reached out to help me up, but I flinched away.

He frowned but didn't insist. I know youre hurting inside. Tonight, Ill take you to an auction. Bid on whatever you like.

Try to move on. Dont save my money; after all, its the only thing I can give you now.

In the evening, he had the driver take me to the auction house.

When I got out of the car, he was already stepping out of another, arm around Olivia.

Their gestures were intimate, exactly mirroring how we were when we were first in love.

I numbly followed them to our seats.

As if to vent, I bid on every item. I even drove up the price of items worth only a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands, or millions.

But Silass attention was entirely on Olivia and the items she liked.

He didnt spare me a single glance. At this moment, my insides were consumed by disgust and resentment. I couldn't calm down.

I threw down my paddle and ran to the restroom. I splashed icy cold water on my face, looking at my gaunt, sallow reflection in the mirror.

Olivia appeared behind me, I don't know when.

Her skin was pristine, like jade, her face plump with collagen. A world of difference from me.

I said nothing. As I turned to leave, she grabbed me.

She stroked her still-flat stomach. I said those things on purpose that day, for you to hear.

Youve seen it, his heart and eyes are completely for me now. If it werent for years of sentiment and responsibility, he would have abandoned you long ago.

If youre smart, youd better leave while he still has a shred of affection for you. Dont hinder our happiness.

I paused. The words as you wish were on my tongue, but seeing her challenging gaze, I swallowed them.

I scoffed. I know youre desperate to get rid of me and take my place, but its no use. As long as Im here, youll always be the mistress, and the child in your belly will always be illegitimate.

Hell still have to call me Mommy, and hell have to take care of me in my old age. Ill teach him from a young age that mistresses are the most despicable beings on earth. Do you think a life like that will be happy?

Olivias anger was palpable. Her eyes burned red as she glared at me. You wont believe it until you see it! Fine, keep being stubborn. Since you dont want to leave, Ill give you a push!

I ignored her empty threats.

When I stepped out, I saw Silass worried expression turn to caution the moment he saw me. He only relaxed when he saw Olivia emerge, completely unharmed.

The auction ended, and Silas received an urgent work call. He instructed the driver to ensure Olivia and I got home safely. He, in turn, got into another car to work overtime at the company.

We rode in silence.

But I noticed the road wasn't leading home, or to Olivias place.