CHAPTER 1 — "The Promise Beside Her Hospital Bed Was a Lie"
The rain hammered against the hospital windows as Emily Carter slowly opened her eyes after twelve hours of surgery. Every breath felt like fire, but the first face she saw made the pain disappear.
Her husband, Daniel Carter, was kneeling beside her bed, holding her trembling hand with tears in his eyes.
"You're awake," he whispered, kissing her fingers. "I thought I lost you."
Emily smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry... I made you worry."
Daniel shook his head immediately.
"Don't ever apologize. I'd trade everything I own just to keep you alive."
The nurse standing nearby smiled softly. Even she believed she was witnessing true love.
For ten years, Daniel had been known as the perfect husband.
He never missed an anniversary.
Never forgot her birthday.
Never let her carry heavy bags.
Friends envied their marriage.
Family called them soulmates.
No one knew that appearances could be carefully rehearsed.
As Emily drifted back to sleep, Daniel gently brushed the hair from her forehead.
"I'll be right back," he whispered.
"I love you."
She smiled.
"I love you too."
The moment he stepped outside the room...
His expression vanished.
The tears disappeared.
His face became cold.
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"It's done," he said quietly.
"The surgery was successful."
A woman's voice laughed on the other end.
"So... when do we finally get everything?"
Daniel glanced through the hospital window toward Emily.
"Soon."
"She's too weak to notice anything."
"Once she signs the insurance papers..."
"...everything belongs to us."
The woman giggled.
"And then?"
Daniel smiled without a trace of guilt.
"Then she'll never have to wake up again."
Inside the room...
Emily's eyes slowly opened.
She hadn't been asleep.
May you like
And she had heard...
Every single word.
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