I was diagnosed with acute leukemia and couldn’t stop vomiting blood. Jack happened to pass by. Seeing me face down on the street covered in blood, he spoke with disgust. “Since you’re dying anyway, give the special medicine to Emma. Otherwise, let’s get divorced!” He then grabbed his slightly bruised first love and stole my ambulance. A kind-hearted person who couldn’t bear to watch called a taxi for me. When I got out of the car, I realized that the last fifty dollars in my phone had been used by Jack to buy a box of condoms through his credit card. Back home. Disheartened, I signed the divorce papers, but then saw my daughter’s diary entry: “I hope both mom and dad can attend my graduation ceremony.” To fulfill my daughter’s wish, I voluntarily gave up the medicine and begged Jack to attend together. As a result, on that day, my daughter hugged Emma’s legs and boasted in public: “See? I told you my mom would definitely come.” “Congratulations, Ms. Zoe. The special medicine is ready. Once the family member signs, we can arrange the surgery.” The moment the doctor announced this, I finally snapped out of my fear. Today was supposed to be my 28th birthday, but I was suddenly diagnosed with acute leukemia. Fortunately, heaven was kind, and the hospital managed to get the last dose of the special medicine. Grasping at this lifeline, I immediately dialed Jack’s number. “Honey, can you come to…” Before I could say “hospital,” our daughter Lily interrupted on the other end. “Mom, Dad and I have prepared dinner, and I even fried a heart-shaped egg for you.” “When are you coming home?” Hearing that my usually pampered daughter and husband had actually cooked for me, I felt a bit comforted despite my bitterness. “Lily, you’re so clever. Mommy will be home soon. Can you pass the phone to Daddy…” But the next words I heard plunged me into an icy abyss. “When you come back, remember to clean up the kitchen. Aunt Emma isn’t feeling well, so we need to go keep her company.” “Dad, don’t forget to pack the heart-shaped egg I fried…” Before I could respond, they hurriedly hung up. I lowered my gaze to hide the disappointment in my eyes. I arranged the surgery date with the doctor alone. When I got home, it was already 10 PM. Having not eaten all day, I suddenly remembered Lily saying she had fried a heart-shaped egg. I walked into the kitchen with anticipation. Microwave, rice cooker, fridge… Finally, in the trash can, I found 29 badly fried eggs. Only then did I realize. She and Jack had cooked for another woman – Emma. Emma lived up to her name. Although she was a rich heiress, she couldn’t bear to see human suffering and had established a charity organization. Jack was one of the beneficiaries. I once teased him: “The story of a first love and a poor boy, how romantic.” He corrected me seriously. “Don’t talk nonsense. I only respect her.” “If it weren’t for Emma’s financial support, I would have starved to death long ago. How could I have entered university, met you, and had such an adorable daughter?” So when her family went bankrupt and she was diagnosed with leukemia, Jack and I helped her with all our might. Even though there were several times when Jack would abandon me and our daughter to comfort her. But today’s situation was different. I needed someone by my side too… Just as I was feeling down, Jack’s call came through. “Zoe, Emma had an attack, so I had to rush over with Lily.” The man gently explained his absence. Clutching the hospital’s diagnosis report, I felt jealous for the first time. “She’s sick, but you’re not a doctor. What can you do there?” Seemingly surprised by my retort, he lowered his voice again. “It was sudden, and she has no family left. I was the only one the police could contact.” “I couldn’t be with you on your birthday and our wedding anniversary, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Realizing that Emma’s situation was serious enough for the police to get involved, I softened a bit. “Lily isn’t in good health and shouldn’t stay up late. I also have something to discuss with you. Remember to come back early.” “I’ll try my best.” They say that not giving a definite promise is a tacit admission of inability to fulfill it. Sure enough. Jack didn’t return home until the next morning. Out of spite, I didn’t prepare their breakfast. Ignoring my haggard face, Lily picked at her sandwich critically. “Mom, why isn’t there any warm milk? And where’s the egg I like in the sandwich?” No guilt, no apology. After staying out all night, her first action upon returning home was to complain. I suddenly remembered that among the eggs I threw away yesterday, several were discarded simply because they weren’t heart-shaped. “If you want to eat them, go dig through the trash can.” Only then did Lily realize we had run out of eggs. “Oh, Aunt Emma is sick, so what’s wrong with letting her eat well?” “We ran out of eggs and you didn’t buy more. Mom, you’re so lazy.” Hearing her unfair accusations, I suddenly felt so resentful. The child I carried for ten months and raised with such care was now criticizing her mother for the sake of an outsider? Before, when Emma was sick, I had to give way to her. Now that I’m sick too, why should I still give way to her?
“She needs care, but don’t I need it too?” I slapped her hand and scolded her. “Who spoiled you with such bad habits, messing up the food like this?” Lily, who had just been hit, was stunned for a moment before bursting into loud sobs. “Mom is so mean, not at all like Aunt Emma.” “Aunt Emma knows I’m not feeling well and reminds me to wear more clothes. Mom doesn’t even make breakfast for me. Mom is a bad mom, I don’t want mom anymore!” She wiped her tears and ran upstairs. “She’s just a child who doesn’t understand. Why are you arguing with her?” Jack worriedly followed her, picked her up, and patted her back to comfort her. “If we’re out of eggs, we can just buy more. What if you scare the child?” I moved my lips but ultimately said nothing. When I hit her, how could I not feel heartbroken? Lily was born premature and spent two months in an incubator. Later, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. With her, I never dared to raise my voice and always did everything myself. She used to be very understanding, hugging me and showering me with compliments. Constantly praising me for being thoughtful, smart, capable, and gentle. Now, because of Emma, she calls me a bad mom. Looking up to meet Jack’s reproachful gaze, it felt like a thorn piercing my heart. I completely lost my appetite. After cleaning up the kitchen, I prepared to do the laundry. Unexpectedly, I found two tickets to a fireworks show in Jack’s clothes. The theme of the fireworks show was called “FOR MY LOVER,” scheduled for our wedding anniversary. “Zoe, I’m sorry for speaking harshly earlier. I was worried about Lily.” Before I could think too much, Jack stood in front of me with a bouquet of roses. “I was supposed to give these to you yesterday, but after all that happened, the flowers aren’t fresh anymore.” He scratched his head regretfully, his eyes sincere and bright. My gaze fell on the card attached to the bouquet, which had a childish handwriting: [Happy Birthday to the most beautiful mom in the world!] Instantly, my grievances burst forth like a flood. They hadn’t forgotten my birthday after all. “Silly, it’s the thought that counts.” Jack tenderly wiped away my tears as if handling a precious treasure, then placed a kiss on my forehead. “Of course, because you’re worth it.” “Oh right, you said you had something to discuss. What is it?” Tears of happiness kept rolling down. I suddenly felt that maybe I could wait a bit longer to tell Jack about the surgery. At least before our wedding anniversary, I shouldn’t make him worry. “I was wondering if you had any plans for Lily’s graduation ceremony. By the way, how’s Emma doing?” Pretending not to know, I smiled and changed the subject, putting the tickets back in his pocket. “Of course both parents will be there for Lily’s graduation ceremony.” “As for Emma, she’s out of danger and under observation in the hospital. I hired a caregiver for her.” Over the next few days. Without Emma as a topic, our home returned to normal. However, what I didn’t expect was that the onset of my illness was unpredictable. I had nosebleeds in front of Jack several times. Today, on my way to pick up our daughter from school, I suddenly felt a sweet and salty taste in my throat. The next moment. My clothes were stained with large patches of bright red. Afraid of being discovered, I had to notify Jack to pick up Lily while I secretly went to the hospital for a follow-up. The doctor frowned as he looked through the examination report. “Leukemia itself doesn’t cause vomiting blood, but you have gastritis, which can easily lead to complications like gastric bleeding. We need to move up the surgery date.” “Can’t we wait a little longer?” “The longer we delay, the more you’ll suffer.” I shook my head, “I’m not afraid of pain.” Yet tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. In fact. I’m quite afraid of pain. In kindergarten, I was punished by teachers. In elementary school, I was bullied by older kids. As I grew older, my parents’ relationship deteriorated, and they took out their frustrations on me. Long-term exposure to pain and hurt, Led me to develop a habit of crying at the slightest discomfort. Jack says I’m delicate, suited to be kept in a greenhouse, and fortunately, he can be that greenhouse. Thinking of Jack’s concerned expression and our daughter’s anxious face. My heart ached even more. After much debate, the surgery was finally scheduled for the day after our wedding anniversary. Lost in thought, I pushed open the door. Emma was hugging Lily on the sofa, showering her with kisses and embraces. Jack, busy cooking in the kitchen, occasionally chimed in. The scene was so warm that I felt out of place entering at that moment. It was Emma who reacted first, walking to the door to greet me with delight. “Oh, Zoe’s back. Why don’t you come in?” Her familiarity made her seem more like the lady of the house. “It’s good you’re back. I was planning to leave after dropping off some things for Lily, but Jack was busy cooking, so I stayed to help her with homework.” Lily clung to Emma, reluctant to let go. “I want Aunt Emma to tuck me in.” “That won’t do, sweetie. Only family can live together. Auntie has to go back to her own home.” Lily tightened her grip on Emma’s hand and turned to ask me. “Why can I only have one mom? Why isn’t Aunt Emma my family? Then Aunt Emma could live with us all the time.” Emma smiled and told me not to overthink it, so I smiled along with her. But the hand holding my medicine dug its nails deep into my flesh. “Oh, right,” she suddenly turned back before leaving. “Zoe, I saw you at the hospital.”
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