I always thought Ethan hated my guts. That’s why, when thugs dragged me into a dark alley and assaulted me, he was the last person I’d call for help. I ended up in the hospital, my body a map of pain. A doctor looked down, his voice thick with pity. “Any last words for your family?”. “Tell Ethan I’m dying. He’s finally free.” For three years of marriage, Ethan had demanded a divorce ninety-nine times. He once even drugged me and left me in another man’s bed, all just to be rid of me. Now, with me gone, he was finally free. But at my funeral, Ethan’s eyes burned crimson. He beheaded my killers, offering their heads at my coffin. His bloodstained hands trembled, crumpling the hidden cancer diagnosis. Then he swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and lay beside me. “Aubrey, I’m coming with you.” My eyes snapped open. Time had rewound. Ethan stood before me, thrusting the divorce papers at me for the ninety-ninth time. “She’s pregnant. She needs me to do right by her. Don’t be a roadblock. Sign it.” I snatched the papers and tore them to shreds. I grabbed him, pulling him close, my voice breaking. “You’re sick! And you didn’t tell me? You think this is noble? Suffering alone? Waiting to die?”
Ethan looked up at me, startled. A flicker of light shone in his beautiful eyes, then died just as quickly. He lit a cigarette and leaned back lazily on the sofa, a cold smirk playing on his lips. “Aubrey, have you been watching too many cheesy dramas?” He gave a dismissive laugh, deliberately blowing a cloud of smoke in my face. “I’m completely over you. This marriage is broken. Let’s end it cleanly and make room for my new girlfriend.” The thick smoke stung my nostrils, threatening to make me cough. I had to admit, Ethan knew me all too well. He knew how much I hated the smell of smoke. Using it to provoke me while discussing our divorce was a deliberate, calculated move. I pulled out the printed copy of the cancer diagnosis. Tears welling in my eyes, I thrust it toward him. “Then explain this to me.” His gaze slowly fell on the paper. His face was emotionless, giving nothing away. After a long moment, he let out a derisive snort. Then he tore it to pieces. “A fake medical report? Late-stage cancer? Aubrey, if you don’t want a divorce, just say so. There’s no need to put a curse on me.” With a flick of his wrist, he sent the confetti of paper fluttering down around us like snow. Ethan was done. “If you tear up this agreement, I’ll just print another. When you come to your senses, you can sign it yourself.” “My girl is waiting for me for a date. I don’t have time for this.” With a final, languid look, he stood and walked away. I hesitated for only a second before chasing after him. “Ethan, don’t think you can get rid of me.” I called out. “You want a divorce? Well, I’m not signing anything. Let’s see what you do then!” I was being stubborn. Ethan paused, then shot me an icy glare. “Suit yourself.” So I went full-blown clinger. When he went to the office for meetings, I was waiting at the entrance. When he drove off to see his new girlfriend, I hailed a cab. “Driver, can you go faster? don’t lose that car.” The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Sweetheart, that young couple looks real happy together. Why are you following them?” I gritted my teeth. “That man is my husband.” The driver’s expression shifted instantly to one of sympathy. He straightened up and thumped his chest. “Don’t worry, I won’t lose them.” They pulled over in front of a shopping mall. Ethan got out first, then turned and opened the passenger door. A young girl launched herself into his arms. They laughed and chatted, linking arms as they walked into the mall. I bit my lip. Even though I knew it was all an act, a sharp, familiar pain shot through my heart. It was just like the provocations he’d used in our last life to pressure me into signing the divorce. He even brought the girl to our bed, stripped her naked, and held her close, flaunting their intimacy in front of me. It was that time that my heart truly died. I signed the divorce papers, packed my things, and planned to move out and find a new place, only to be dragged into a dark alley by a group of thugs. They abused me, treating me like a rough toy. Excruciating pain shot through me as they tore out a large chunk of my hair. My teeth felt like they’d been knocked out, as they grabbed a brick from the street and smashed it against my head. As my vision blurred, I remembered that purest year. Ethan had held me gently, setting his number as the emergency speed dial on my phone. “Aubrey, if you’re ever in danger, call me immediately. I’ll always be there.” I struggled to find Ethan’s number, but hesitated the moment I was about to dial. I remembered his disgusted look. He was probably flirting with his new girlfriend, not wanting to be disturbed by me. Later, even when I was battered and bruised, hospitalized, and clinging to life, I still didn’t contact Ethan. It became a final goodbye. Now, across the street, Ethan had his arm around the girl’s waist, whispering and chuckling in her ear. His gaze occasionally flickered in my direction. I steeled myself, getting out of the taxi and rushing towards them. Noticing my raw stare, Ethan and the girl paused, turning back to look at me strangely. “Honey, didn’t you say you’d divorce that old hag at home? Why is she chasing us again?” Ethan’s gaze slowly settled on me, his brows furrowed, but he said nothing. He seemed to be waiting for an explanation from me. I shrugged with a smile. “Don’t mind me. You two carry on.”
I remembered Ethan’s new girlfriend, her name was Chloe. She looked pure and sweet, completely unlike me, the “shrew.” Ever since Ethan started frequently mentioning divorce six months ago, he’d spent every night out with Chloe. Seeing me follow them like glue, Chloe seemed uneasy. She kept looking back at me, clinging to Ethan’s arm and whining. “Honey, is your wife crazy?” “Why is she still following us? Is there something wrong with her?” Ethan finally lost his patience, turning to glare coldly at me. “Aubrey, you’re scaring my girl.” He shielded her behind him, as if I might hurt her. But six years ago. He had protected me in the same way, without a second thought. He’d watched the stars with me, traveled to the desert with me, and even when close to dying of thirst, he saved the last sip of water for me. Even though I’d been entangled with my ex-boyfriend, betraying him many times. He still loved me. In my last life, I could never understand. Could such a devoted person suddenly change his heart? So, I went wild with jealousy, focusing all my envious hatred on that young, beautiful girl, Chloe. Jealousy can drive people mad. It blinded me to Ethan’s true intentions. But now that I knew the whole story, I crossed my arms, enjoying Ethan’s expression, and suddenly I laughed. “Ethan, your acting still needs some work. It’s really hard to fool me.” Ethan averted his gaze, saying nothing. He leaned down and kissed Chloe’s lips. The girl’s face immediately flushed. She shyly looked up at him, her eyes full of joy. I, however, stood frozen, my face pale. Ethan looked at me with a calculated stare, then casually put his arm around the girl’s waist. “Still think I’m acting?” He even pulled up hotel reservation details on his phone, shoving it in my face. “See clearly. I’ve really fallen for someone else. My heart has changed.” “Aubrey, stop thinking I’m just playing along with you, or you’ll seem incredibly narcissistic.” Seeing my silence, Ethan smiled faintly and invited me. “We’re checking into a room tonight. If you’re interested, maybe you’d like to watch?” I was so furious my eyes blurred. I turned and ran. After I furiously got into a taxi and disappeared from the street, Ethan finally withdrew his gaze, releasing Chloe with a blank expression. “I’ll have a driver take you back.” Chloe’s rosy face instantly turned white. She bit her lip hard, timidly tugging at Ethan’s sleeve. “But you promised to go shopping with me? And tonight we were going to…” Seeing Ethan’s cold expression, the girl’s voice trailed off. “Ms. Chloe, she’s gone. No need to keep up the act.” “I’ll settle today’s payment with you as planned. Go shopping on your own.” Hidden around the corner, I saw this scene and smirked. Ethan had no idea I was so clever. I pretended to get into a taxi, drove a short distance, then told the driver to turn back. I wanted to see with my own eyes how they’d wrap things up. I’d actually thought they were going to book a room, film a video, or even stream it for me. Turns out Ethan’s tricks were limited. As Ethan turned to leave, his face was a little pale. His hand was pressed to his stomach, making my expression suddenly change. No wonder he looked like he was forcing himself earlier. Was his condition flaring up? Chloe, unaware of any of this, was still caught up in her sadness, turning to walk back into the mall alone. “Chloe.” I called out to her. “It’s you again?” The girl turned back, surprised. “How do you know my name?” I stood tall and confident, handing her the investigation report from the private detective. “I know everything. Ethan is sick, late-stage cancer. He didn’t want to burden me, so he found you to act this out and force me to divorce him.” A look of guilt flashed across Chloe’s face. She stammered, “You’re lying! Ethan and I are real. Otherwise, how could I be pregnant with his baby?” She gently placed her hand on her slightly swollen belly. There was clearly a little life inside. But my smile grew wider. “That baby is your boyfriend’s, isn’t it? It’s not Ethan’s at all.” “Because he has never touched you.” The girl’s face instantly turned ashen. “All this… how did you know?”
In my last life, that girl came to me, crying, saying Ethan was spitting blood and that I should go see him. She said Ethan had always loved me. At the time, I was consumed by the anger and jealousy of betrayal. I thought she was taunting me. My gaze fell on her belly, and my tone was sharp. “If he really loved me, how could he get you pregnant?” “He hates me.” “I’ll agree to divorce him. You two ‘lovebirds’ can just be stuck together forever.” Later, I found out that was one of the worst times Ethan had bled, staining the entire bathtub red. His assistant rushed him to the hospital, tears streaming down his face, saying he wanted to call me. But Ethan weakly raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t… don’t bother her.” “She should forget me and have a new life.” It wasn’t until after my death in the last life that I realized Ethan had never betrayed me. He had hidden his love very, very deeply. Even before his death, by forcing me to divorce him, he was doing everything he could to pave the way for my future. How could I ever let down such a good man? I pulled out a bank card and handed it to Chloe. “If I’m not mistaken, you took this job because you needed money, right?” “Chloe, whatever Ethan paid you, I’ll give you double. Only one condition-” “Next time Ethan calls you, make sure you refuse him.” No one turns down money. Chloe took the bank card, hesitated for a moment, then agreed. As I was leaving, she called out to me. “Aubrey, Ethan really loves you. You’re very lucky.” “I think so too. Even if he only has a few months left, you two should be together, cherishing every precious moment.” I smiled at her, then turned and left. After sorting everything out, I took a taxi home, wanting to talk things through with Ethan. I wasn’t afraid of being a burden to him. I loved him. Even if he only had one day left to live, I wanted to be with him. But I searched every room in the villa and couldn’t find Ethan. I called his assistant, who also said he didn’t know; Ethan had gone out alone without a driver. I was frantic and scared, terrified that something might have happened to him alone outside. I searched everywhere he loved to go, but there was no sign of him. Finally, I went to the place where we first met. Ethan was there, just as I expected. He was leaning alone against an old oak tree by the river, his gaze distant, smoking a cigarette. His eyes were pale, and he occasionally winced in pain, clutching his stomach with his other hand. I knew he was hurting again. “Come on, to the hospital.” I forced back a sob, reaching out to pull him. Ethan was surprised to see me there and froze for a moment. But only for a second, then he coldly scoffed and shook off my hand. “Aubrey, aren’t you annoying?” “I told you, I hate you. Can’t you take a hint and stop constantly showing up around me?” I watched his mouth open and close. I didn’t hear anything he said. I only saw his lips, utterly devoid of color. My emotions overwhelmed me, and I stepped forward to hug him again. “Ethan, didn’t you say it? Through sickness and health, you’d be with me.” “Why, why are you pushing me away?” “You forgot how many times I betrayed you for other men, how you forgave me every time, cleaned up my messes, and continued to love me. Why are you changing your mind now?” “You went through so much trouble to win me over and marry me. Now that I’ve finally fallen in love with you, how dare you push me away?” Since my rebirth, It was the first time I’d lost control, practically screaming and crying all this out. Ethan froze. He stared at me blankly, a hint of panic in his eyes. He even started to reach out, as if to wipe my tears. “Aubrey, I’m sorry. I said some harsh things. Please don’t cry.” I didn’t give him another chance to push me away, seizing the opportunity to throw myself into his arms. “Ethan, believe it or not, if I divorce you, I’ll die.” “No way!” Ethan blurted out, without hesitation. His expression shifted. “Aubrey, don’t say that. Don’t curse yourself like that.” I let out a wet chuckle, wiping my tears and sniffles on his sleeve. But it wasn’t a curse. It was a memory. That was exactly what happened in my past life. Signing those papers was what sent me to my death. “I’m telling you the truth, Ethan.” “The moment the divorce is finalized, I will die.” “Maybe this is fate. Heaven has decided you’re only meant to be a widower, not a divorced man.”
Perhaps because I was so shameless, Ethan stopped mentioning divorce and no longer tried to push me away. He even uncharacteristically took me for ice cream and to watch a movie. We were like any normal couple again. Time felt like it had been rewound six months. During the second half of the movie, I fell asleep leaning on Ethan’s shoulder. In my sleep, I mumbled. “Ethan, please don’t send me away.” He silently watched me, his gaze gentle yet heavy, then leaned down and kissed my forehead. It got dark, and Ethan drove me home, silent the whole way. No matter how I tried to lighten the mood or start a conversation, he’d only respond with a faint “Mhm,” “Oh,” or “Got it.” That night, while Ethan was in the shower, I tiptoed into his bed. We had started sleeping separately six months ago. I’d been disgusted, thinking he was messing around outside and was “dirty.” He never bothered to explain. He’d sleep in the guest room or the study every night. But now, I was in his bed, wearing my nightgown. Ethan, fresh out of the shower, pulled back the covers and saw me. He was visibly stunned. “Aubrey, what’s gotten into you?” Seeing what I was wearing, he paused, took a step back, and looked away. “Get out.” I was a little disheartened. Tonight I’d specifically put on a revealing nightgown, Ethan’s favorite style. During the good times in our relationship, whenever I wore this nightgown. He’d instantly turn into a beast. Now he was like a different person, indifferent, and wouldn’t even look at me. “Ethan, do you really hate me that much?” “No.” “Then why can’t you look me in the eye?” I deliberately clung to him, even actively kissing him, teasing him. Ethan’s breathing grew ragged. He grabbed my hands. “Aubrey, I told you I lost interest in you a long time ago. Why humiliate yourself?” He looked me up and down with disdain. “I’m sick of this body; I don’t want to touch it even once.” I gritted my teeth, furious. This guy could be truly venomous when he wanted to. But I didn’t care. I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him hard. He still resisted, until I whispered something in his ear. “Ethan, if we actually divorce, this might be our last time.” “Our last time. Don’t you want to enjoy it properly?” “Who knows, after the divorce, we might be separated by life and death, never getting a chance to meet again.” I remembered my past life, how I died after signing the divorce papers. But Ethan was thinking he had late-stage stomach cancer and only a few days to live. A heavy and sorrowful atmosphere hung between us. Ethan indeed stopped resisting. His hand pressed against the back of my head, and he kissed me deeply. “Alright, then, one last time.” The next morning. My entire body felt like it had been torn apart. Ethan’s strength was so intense; who knew how long he’d been holding back? When I woke up, Ryan wasn’t in bed. I heard movement in the bathroom and walked over. In the pristine sink, there was a puddle of red blood. My body stiffened. “Ethan…” My face was pale. I wanted to go to him, but Ethan quickly turned on the faucet to rinse it away, giving a nonchalant smile. “What are you looking at? Just a nosebleed. You’re going to mock me for that?” My heart ached, but I didn’t expose him. I smiled and replied. “Probably just too much heat. I’ll make you some herbal tea to cool down later.” But there was no “later.” A few days later, Ethan slipped something into my juice and tried to send me to Ryan’s bed. What he didn’t know was that I’d already lived through this twice. I knew what was in that drink. I pretended to sip it, then rushed to the bathroom, shoved my fingers down my throat, and forced myself to vomit it all up. I was fully conscious when Ethan carried me into the hotel room. I clearly heard their conversation. “Ryan, take good care of her from now on.” Ethan’s voice was hoarse, more than I’d ever heard. “If you ever dare to hurt her again, I’ll haunt you even as a ghost.” I stood with my back to them, my body stiff, so heartbroken I could barely breathe. Ryan was my ex-boyfriend. In my last life, Ethan had forced Ryan to sign an agreement, stating that if he ever changed his mind and hurt me, he’d have to pay me ten million. I thought this time he finally understood my true feelings, but he still had this plan in mind. But I’m a person, not an object. Ethan, how dare you hand me over to someone else? Did you even ask me? Even Ryan, who usually argued with him, was too shocked to speak, pulling him back, unable to bear it. “Ethan, are you sure?” “Have you even asked Aubrey if this is what she wants?” “You’ve been married for three years, Aubrey isn’t as fragile as you think. Even if you tell her the truth, she can handle it.” “She’s not a heartless person; she wouldn’t leave you just because you have cancer…” “And more importantly, we’re ancient history. Aubrey loves you now!” Ethan looked down and smiled, his gaze gently resting on my unconscious form. “Of course, I know she loves me.” “But that’s exactly why I can’t let her grieve.” “I can endure any torment, I can walk through hell itself.” “But I can’t bear… to see her cry for me.” But Ethan, if you just looked at me, you’d see that I’m crying right now. Ethan took one last look at me, slipped a strawberry-flavored condom into Ryan’s hand, and turned away without a word. He never returned to the hotel that night. He sat in his car, lost in thought for a long time, then pulled a two-inch photo of me from his suit pocket. His thumb gently traced its surface. He smiled softly. “Aubrey, you used to love Ryan so much. You’ll fall in love with him again.” “Forget about me. Go live a happy life.” It was almost dark when he drove alone to the cross-river bridge and pulled over. No assistant or driver followed him. He only left one last message in his notes, his final letter to the world. “I don’t want to live in pain. For the rime I left, I want to be free.” With that resolve, he walked steadily toward the river. Just then, his phone rang frantically. Ethan silenced it, but it rang again almost immediately. He sighed in frustration, saw Ryan’s name, and answered, his voice tight. “Ryan?” A frantic, panicked voice answered. “Ethan, get over here! It’s Aubrey! She found out what you did, lost it, and then she got jumped by some thugs! They dragged her into an alley!”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “306747”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #校园School
Leave a Reply