Chapter 1 Living Like a Clown

The rain hammered down on the city streets, relentless and unforgiving.

Wendy Knight trudged home, her steps heavy and her appearance a mess, like a lost soul.

Her hair clung to her face, her clothes soaked through and sticking to her body, sending chills deep into her bones.

As she stepped into the living room, a wave of warmth greeted her, but it brought no comfort.

Thinking about the results she had just received at the hospital, Wendy felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss, shivering uncontrollably.

Ethan Collins' mother, Juniper Collins, was lounging on the living room sofa, watching TV leisurely. An empty bag of chips lay on the coffee table, crumbs scattered everywhere.

Seeing Wendy in such a state, Juniper's face immediately twisted with disdain.

"Look at you! You look like a mess!" Juniper's sharp voice echoed in the spacious living room. "Why are you back so late? Where have you been?"

Wendy pressed her lips together and replied softly, "I had something to do."

"Really? What could you possibly have to do? You live off my son, use his money, and can't even give us a child, yet you still have the nerve to act all high and mighty!" Juniper mocked.

Wendy's movements faltered as she changed her shoes, a wave of exhaustion and grievance washing over her, but she held back her anger.

Juniper always used her inability to conceive as an excuse to humiliate her.

After nearly three years of marriage, it was first because of work, and then because of Ethan's infatuation with someone else, that he wouldn't even touch her. How could she possibly get pregnant?

But right now, she didn't have the energy to argue with Juniper.

She lowered her head and silently headed upstairs.

"Stop right there!" Juniper's voice rang out again. "Where do you think you're going? Can't you see how messy the house is? Go make dinner and clean up!"

Wendy stopped, slowly turned around, and said weakly, "Mom, I'm not feeling well today. I need to rest."

"Not feeling well? You're just being lazy!" Juniper spat out mercilessly. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're just a useless good-for-nothing!"

Wendy's eyes reddened slightly, but she tried to control her emotions. "Mom, I really don't feel well. Can I just..."

"No!" Juniper cut her off. "You don't get to make decisions in this house! Get to work!"

Wendy bit her lip, took a deep breath, and then turned towards the kitchen.

Her steps were unsteady, as if each one required all her strength.

The kitchen was filled with a faint smell of cooking oil. Wendy turned on the faucet, the cold water stinging her hands, making her shiver.

She silently began washing and chopping vegetables, her movements mechanical and numb.

"Useless thing, always slacking off, completely worthless. Always with that sour face, like someone owes you something! My son would be better off keeping a dog; at least it would wag its tail at its owner!"

In the living room, Juniper continued her relentless complaints, her voice grating and harsh.

Wendy had grown accustomed to these insults.

Thinking about what the doctor had said earlier, a wave of bitterness and pain surged in her heart.

She clutched her chest, unable to hold back her tears, which slid down her cheeks and dripped onto her hands.

She felt utterly ridiculous.

As the last heir of the Knight family, a lineage renowned in medical circles, she had once been the star student at Horizon Medical College. And yet, here she was, diagnosed with liver cancer, completely unaware of her own condition.

It was only because her grandmother, Margaret Knight, who was hospitalized with a serious illness, insisted on her getting a check-up after noticing her pale complexion that it was discovered.

How laughable!

If her late grandfather and parents knew that she, a doctor, was unaware of her own illness, they would be ashamed to have such a child!

These past few years of marriage to Ethan, she had been nothing but a clown.

Instead of focusing on improving her medical skills and practicing surgery, she had spent her days worrying about what meals would please the Collins family, deciding what Ethan should wear to tomorrow's gala, and picking out just the right gifts to keep Juniper and Ethan's sister, Sarah Collins, happy.

Wendy's mind was a blur as she gazed out at the stormy sky. Spring had arrived without her even noticing.

Yet, this season, which should have been warm and blossoming, felt colder than the depths of winter.

Unconsciously, she twisted the ring on her finger.

It was the diamond ring Ethan had bought her with all his money when his pharmaceutical company landed its first big order.

It cost less than ten thousand dollars, but it was filled with Ethan's love.

Wendy gently caressed it, whispering, "When did the love fade?"

Perhaps it started when she gave up her career for his.

To help him, she abandoned her studies and career, spending her days helping him secure business deals.

In truth, it was the Knight family's reputation that had helped Ethan grow the Collins Group so quickly.

But as the Collins Group expanded, she gradually stepped back.

Because Juniper's health wasn't good, Wendy gave up her involvement in the Collins Group to take care of her, often cooking nutritious meals for her.

Over the years, Juniper's health improved significantly, and Wendy went from occasionally cooking to preparing every meal.

Juniper still wasn't satisfied and dismissed the housekeepers, leaving Wendy to manage the entire several-thousand-square-foot mansion on her own.

No one appreciated her efforts; instead, they saw her as the least important person in the household.

The constant exhaustion and frustration had led to her liver cancer.

Once a proud young woman, she had become an ordinary housewife, consumed by daily chores.

And with Ethan's long-time crush returning to the country, able to help him with his troubles, it was only natural that he no longer loved her.

Wendy's lips curled into a bitter smile.

She had been foolish, not understanding how easily people's hearts could change.

She had turned herself into a cowardly, timid, and self-respect-lacking failure.

Wendy couldn't help but take out the diagnosis report from her bag and look at the images again.

The twisted organs filled her with fear; it was hard to believe they were a part of her body.

Her liver cancer. She bet it was caused by all the stress from dealing with the Collins family—being looked down on by Juniper, constantly criticized by Sarah, and Ethan, who she had loved for years yet always treated her like she was invisible.

Tears streamed down Wendy's face again.

She had always thought she was strong, but now her facade had completely crumbled.

Wendy tore up the medical report and threw it in the trash.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her grievances and anger, and carried the dishes out of the kitchen, setting them on the dining table.

Just as she was about to sit down, Juniper knocked the utensils out of her hand. "You dare to eat? Can't you see how dirty the house is? Go mop the floor first!"