When His Terminal Illness Tore Us Apart

I had been married to Serena for five years, and for those five years, Julian, her childhood friend, had been madly chasing her.

He bought thousands of drones to light up the night sky with love letters. He hiked barefoot up a mountain trail just to light 999 prayer candles for their future.

He would wrap his arms around her while wearing next to nothing. My friends always stood up for me, calling him shameless and a homewrecker. But I never cared.

I didn’t care because Serena loved me to my core. She gave me all the security in the world.

She founded a luxury jewelry brand named after me, which became a sensation for couples everywhere.

Once, when I was trapped in a raging fire, she broke through the barricades, ignoring everyone’s warnings, and dragged me out. The rescue left permanent scars across her back.

And because I wanted to be childfree, she secretly went behind my back to get an IUD, all because she was terrified that a vasectomy might pose a medical risk to me.

But then came the day Julian showed up, clutching a medical report for stomach cancer. "Serena, I’m dying," he sobbed. "Are you really going to abandon me now?" In that exact moment, I saw utter panic flash across her face.

That night, she gripped my hands so tightly it hurt. "Ethan, let's get a divorce." I stared at her, unable to believe my ears. My eyes filled with cold disappointment.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her voice cracking with pure agony. "Julian doesn't have much time left. I just want to help him fulfill his final wish." "It's just a fake divorce, Ethan.

Once he passes away peacefully, we’ll go right back to how we were, okay?" A sharp, stabbing pain bloomed in my chest. Last night was our fifth wedding anniversary.

Serena had canceled our dinner, claiming there was an emergency at the office. But later, Julian posted a video on Snapchat.

They were sitting close together at a table, happily singing a birthday song.

Julian had sent me a direct message, his words dripping with venom: “Ethan, you always brag about how much she loves you. Today is your anniversary.

Look who she actually chose.” I had sat alone in the dark all night, watching that birthday video loop over and over.

She had promised me that she would spend every single anniversary by my side. Now, those promises felt like a barrage of cruel slaps to my face.

I lowered my gaze, suppressing the storm inside me. "Okay," I said quietly. "I have a friend who can forge highquality legal documents.

We can use her to make the fake papers." She clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily. A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she quickly hid it.

I ignored her, turning around to open the window. Outside, the garden used to be filled with lilies of the valley, my favorite flowers.

When we got married, Serena had planted them all over the yard herself. She had kissed me and said that keeping her husband happy was her life's mission.

Now, the yard was completely covered in Juliet roses—Julian's favorite.

Serena stepped up behind me, slipping her arms around my waist and pressing her face into my back. "Ethan, this is all fake. Trust me.

You are the love of my life, and my only husband." A wave of bitter sorrow washed over me. She was wearing a prayer bracelet that Julian had got for her.

She was wearing the expensive cologne Julian had gifted her. She was losing sleep over another man, yet she still had the nerve to tell me I was her only husband. How pathetic.

As it turned out, her promise of "forever" only lasted five short years. Suddenly, Serena’s phone buzzed on the counter. The caller ID flashed brightly: Julian.

When she answered, his whimpering voice echoed through the speaker. "Serena... it hurts so bad. Can you come keep me company?

Please?" The sheer heartache in Serena's eyes was almost sickening. She nodded frantically. "I’m on my way." She hung up and rushed toward the door.

I grabbed the divorce agreement my lawyer had just delivered and held it out to her. "Sign this first." Without even reading it, she scribbled her name at the bottom.

Then, she gave me a quick, distracted kiss on the forehead. "Julian needs me. Buy whatever you want, Ethan. Put it on my card."

Watching her hurried departure, I laughed until tears streamed down my face. She knew I never cared about luxury brands. I never asked for expensive cars or houses.

Yet, she had signed that paper without a single hesitation. Her mind was so consumed by Julian that she didn't care about anything else.

She didn't even notice the document was a real, legally binding divorce agreement. That was fine. The ending I wanted was a clean break anyway.

I pulled out my phone and made a call. "Professor Miller, the divorce is finalized.

You can book my ticket for three days from now." I used to be one of the most promising young winemakers in the country.

My mentor, Professor Miller, had begged me to join his prestigious estate in France. But back then, I had rejected the offer because of Serena.

Now, I wasn't going to miss my chance again. The next afternoon, Serena pushed the front door open. Her voice sounded panicked. "Ethan! Where are you going?

Why are you booking a flight?" I quickly masked my expression and forced a calm smile. "Tyler has some time off.

He invited me to go on a trip to clear my head." Seeing how calm I was, she let out a sigh of relief and didn’t press further. "Oh, okay. Just make sure to pack warm clothes.

You catch cold so easily. And don't forget your vitamins and meds..." For a second, the familiarity of her nagging made me dizzy.

Memories of how deeply she used to care for me flashed through my mind. "Oh, by the way," she said, looking up. "I won't be staying home tonight.

I bought some essentials to take over to Julian's place." I froze, finally noticing the mountain of bags piled in the corner of the living room.

Designer clothes, highend supplements, medical supplies, and even a book of fairy tales. Noticing my stare, she smiled sheepishly. "He’s still like a kid at heart.

When we were little, I always had to read him stories to help him sleep." My chest tightened, a suffocating pain squeezing my heart. Right then, Julian called her again.

His voice was sweet and whiny over the phone. "Serena, why aren't you here yet?" An uncontrollable smile spread across Serena's face. "I'm heading to my car right now." She rushed out the door so fast she didn't even bother with a goodbye kiss.

I suddenly remembered our first year of marriage. Every morning, she would cling to my neck, begging for one more kiss, refusing to go to work. That felt like a lifetime ago.

Once my visa for France was processed, I met up with Tyler for a farewell drink at a local lounge.

Tyler slammed his arm around my shoulder, his eyes brimming with tears. "Ethan, once you're in France, don't you dare forget about me." I patted his arm gently. "I won't, man.

I promise—" My words cut off. Across the lounge, two familiar figures appeared. Serena was leaning into Julian’s shoulder, laughing happily.

And around Julian's neck was a necklace I knew all too well. It was the "Everlasting Love" necklace—the custom piece Serena had made for me as a symbol of our commitment.

Instinctively, my hand went to my own neck. Touching the pendant under my shirt, I finally noticed the difference in the light. The gemstone on mine was a cheap imitation.

The one around Julian's neck was the real one. Tyler’s face flushed with fury. He bolted up from his seat. "That absolute parasite!

I'm going to tear him apart!" "Tyler, wait!" I chased after him, but it was too late. Thud.

Tyler’s fist connected squarely with Julian’s jaw, sending him stumbling back. "Stealing another man's wife? How fucking pathetic can you get?" Tyler roared.

Julian’s cheek swelled immediately. He grabbed Serena’s hand, looking utterly terrified and fragile.

Serena immediately shielded Julian behind her, her voice icecold as she glared at us. "Ethan and I are already divorced!

Julian is not a homewrecker!" Then, she turned her furious glare directly onto me. "Ethan! Did you instigate this?" "Honestly, it makes sense.

You’re always so broken and insecure because your mother died abandoned. You're psychologically damaged!" Those words hit me like a sledgehammer.

My blood ran cold, and my entire body went numb. Years ago, my father had cheated on my mother, and she had passed away from a sudden heart attack brought on by the grief.

On the day of her funeral, I had cried until I couldn't breathe. Serena had held me tightly in her arms back then, whispering: "Ethan, you have me now.

I will protect you in your mom's place."

"No matter what your past is, I will love you forever, simply because you are Ethan." I had been so deeply moved by those words.

It was Serena’s love that had pulled me out of the darkest abyss of my life. Yet today, she was the very person pushing me back into a deeper, colder hell.

My face went pale as I stared at her. "What did you just say?" She seemed to realize she had gone too far.

Her expression softened slightly, but she remained stubborn. "Ethan, Julian is sick. He can't handle stress.

Why do you always have to make things difficult for him?" I looked at her and let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Serena, he’s sick. Are his parents dead too?

Is that why you, the helpful neighbor, have to cater to his every whim day and night?" Slap! The force of her hand snapped my head to the side.

Serena stared at her own palm in absolute shock. Her lips parted, trembling. "Ethan... I didn't mean to—" Before she could finish, Julian "fainted" right into her arms.

She looked at me as I turned to leave, then down at the unconscious Julian. In the end, she chose to support him and walk away. "Ethan! Let me get Julian to the ER first!

I'll explain everything to you later!" I walked away in silence. The very last shred of hope in my heart had officially withered. That night, Serena didn't come home.

I quietly gathered every single photo of us and threw them into the fireplace.

Then, I packed up every gift she had ever given me—including the fake "Everlasting Love" necklace—and listed them as a bundle on eBay. The title read: Exboyfriend mystery box.

Priced at $0.09. Completely worthless. The next morning, Serena finally rushed back. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes.

She tried to reach out and hug me, but I stepped back, avoiding her touch. "Ethan, Julian had a high fever all night.

I..." She paused, looking at me with a pleading expression. "For the sake of his health, can you please just go to the hospital and apologize to him?" Instead of getting angry like she expected, my voice was dead quiet. "Serena, what am I to you, exactly?" She stared at my pale, hollow face, her lips parting but no words coming out. "Ethan, please.

His body really can't take any more shock." Serena was an incredibly proud woman. She used to boast that the word "please" didn't exist in her vocabulary.

The only other time she had begged was when I was pulled out of the fire, barely clinging to life.

A woman as elite and proud as her had dropped to her knees, begging the doctors: "Please, save him. I'll give you anything." But times had changed.

Her heart had drifted. "Fine," I said. "Let's go." I followed her to the hospital. When we entered the VIP suite, the smug triumph in Julian’s eyes was practically overflowing.

Over the past few weeks, he had been sending me endless Snapchat updates of their "sweet" moments. Photos of Serena feeding him soup. Videos of Serena reading him bedtime stories.

They had looked at the blooming Juliet roses in the garden together. They had even bought a puppy that looked exactly like the one they had when they were kids.

And, of course, the "Everlasting Love" necklace. Julian had messaged me, saying she had made that necklace for him before he even went abroad years ago. It was never meant for me.

Julian shrank back behind Serena, playing the victim. "Serena, don't force Ethan to apologize. I'm scared." Serena patted his hand gently. "It's okay.

This was his fault to begin with." Julian sniffled, blinking back tears. "Serena, as long as I have you, I don't feel wronged at all." Watching this pathetic show, my heart didn't even ache anymore.

It takes years to build up love for someone, but letting go only takes a single second. Suddenly, Serena’s phone rang.

She answered it, muttered something about an urgent board meeting, and rushed out. The second the door closed, Julian’s innocent facade completely vanished.

He glared at me with pure malice. "Ethan, so what if you married her? Her heart belongs to me now."

I looked at him, completely unfazed. "Then I wish you two a long and happy life." But as I turned to leave, a heavy, blunt object slammed into the back of my head.

Julian’s venomous voice hissed in my ear just before I fell. "Don't act so smug, Ethan.

I'm going to make sure you lose everything." When I opened my eyes again, roaring flames and thick smoke filled my vision. My entire body began to shake.

The agonizing memory of being burned alive years ago rushed back, paralyzing me with fear. Suddenly, a figure crashed through the burning doorway. It was Serena.

She looked at Julian, who was crying on the floor, and then at me, paralyzed with terror. She started to take a step toward me, but Julian grabbed her ankle. "Serena!

Don't leave me! Please don't leave me again!" Serena hesitated. She looked at me, then knelt down and hoisted the weeping Julian up. "Ethan, wait for me!

I'll be right back!" The black smoke stung my eyes. I couldn't breathe. My throat burned, and my world slowly faded into pitch black.

In my semiconscious state, I heard a doctor's muffled voice. "Mr. Julian only has minor firstdegree burns. On the other hand, Mr. Ethan has extensive deep tissue damage.

Are you sure you want to proceed with a skin graft from Mr. Ethan to Mr.

Julian?" Serena’s voice was trembling, but firm. "Yes." I forced myself to open my eyes, gathering every ounce of strength left in my lungs to scream. "No!

I refuse!" Serena’s eyes were bloodshot. She grabbed my hand, squeezing it desperately. "Ethan, please!

Just think of it as paying me back for saving your life in the fire years ago. Julian is an actor, he can't have scars!

He can't leave this world looking disfigured!" "I will compensate you! I swear I'll make it up to you!" The last remaining piece of my heart shattered into dust. I stopped fighting.

I stared at her through my tears and nodded. "Fine. Now we're even." The past was finally dead. I owed her nothing anymore.

When I woke up again, bright sunlight was streaming through the hospital window.

The nurses nearby were whispering. "I heard CEO Serena is divorced now, but she still went into a fire to save her exhusband.

She's so devoted." "Yeah, but asking the exhusband to give up his skin to save the childhood friend? That's wild." "Well, Serena and Julian are clearly soulmates.

She hasn't slept for over twenty hours, just watching over him." I listened to them calmly. They had no idea that the fire had been started by the very "victim" they were pitying.

The door clicked open, and the nurses quickly scurried out. Serena walked in, looking incredibly haggard.

She looked at me with deep anxiety. "Ethan, how are you feeling?" My voice was flat. "Fine." She froze. She had clearly expected me to either scream at her, cry, or play the victim.

But I was just looking at her like she was a stranger.

Fidgeting nervously, she pulled out a velvet box and opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring. "Ethan, this is the second ring I designed.

It’s made from the exact same raw gemstone as the 'Everlasting' necklace.

I named it 'The Only'." "I was supposed to give this to you on our anniversary, but the company..." "I'm tired," I interrupted her, turning my head away. "Ms.

Serena, I believe your fiancé is calling for you." Hearing the word "fiancé," Serena flinched. But I had already closed my eyes.

She whispered softly, "Ethan, I'm going to check on him. There are too many misunderstandings between us.

I promise I'll explain everything later." "Just remember, you will always be my only husband." She slipped "The Only" onto my ring finger and hurriedly left the room.

The moment she was gone, I pulled the ring off and tossed it onto the bedside table. The diamond was beautiful, but the love behind it had turned putrid. "Nurse!" I called out.

The nurse rushed in. "Yes, Mr. Ethan?" I pointed at the ring. "Please return this to Ms. Serena. And give her these documents as well." The nurse nodded.

I stood up, stripped off my hospital gown, and headed straight for the airport. I was flying toward a future filled with hope—a future that had absolutely nothing to do with Serena.