The rain whispered against the tall windows of the mansion, soft and cruel.
Meilin lay weakly on the floor, her body trembling as her heartbeat slowed.
The marble beneath her felt cold — just like her heart had been all these years.
She could still hear her daughter's cries somewhere in the distance.
She had shouted at the child again that morning… for spilling milk.
The same child who now screamed, "Mommy, please wake up!
Her husband, Jiang Rui, rushed toward her, his face pale with fear.
She remembered that face — she had once called it emotionless.
Now she saw the truth: those eyes had always been full of pain.
Don't talk, Jiang Rui said, holding her close. "Help is coming.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She had never deserved his tenderness, yet he still held her as if she was his whole world.
"Rui… I'm sorry," she whispered.
He froze the first time she had ever said those words.
The machines in the hospital later beeped weakly, and her breath grew shallow.
Her last thought before the darkness claimed her was not her first love's face —
but her daughter's smile.
Then the world went silent.
--
End of Chapter 1
Watch out for Chapter 2