"But the poor woman who donated the bone marrow probably remains unaware of the truth."
I stared at the face I had been close to for months, feeling a dull ache in my side from the puncture.
I went through the discharge procedures myself.
I said goodbye to everyone at the orphanage.
But after I completely vanished from Jake's world, he was determined to find me, even if it meant searching high and low.
...
Just as I received the discharge papers from the front desk, a familiar voice called from behind me. "Molly? Didn't you just have surgery? What are you doing here?"
It was Jake.
I was panicked and hid the documents behind my back. I tried to maintain composure, but my mind went blank. I couldn't find a suitable excuse at that moment.
Jake seemed to sense something and said in a normal tone before I spoke, "The doctor said bone marrow transplant surgery is risky and requires lengthy preparation. I won't be able to undergo it for a few days."
I quickly realized that he hadn't known I had watched that video.
He didn't know I was already aware of the truth.
"Okay." I didn't expose him.
"Oh, by the way," he asked, "why aren't you resting in the hospital room? Where are you going?"
"There is an urgent matter in the orphanage." I didn't want to say more.
Jake frowned and said, "You're hospitalized. Why are they still bothering you?"
I found it amusing.
Wasn't I hospitalized because he gave my bone marrow to another woman?
Why did he bother pretending to care about me now?
I recalled how I first met Jake at the hospital's billing desk.
The director of the orphanage had a sudden medical emergency. After sending her to the operating room, I rushed to pay the medical fees when I accidentally bumped into someone in line.
I apologized while picking up the scattered documents.
Jake remained silent. He looked cold as he retrieved his papers without glancing at me.
I thought that minor incident would end there.
But half a month later, Jake unexpectedly contacted me and began pursuing me.
Eventually, we naturally ended up together, leading to today.
Now I finally understood why he suddenly changed his attitude.
He was always searching for suitable bone marrow for Freda.
After discovering I was a match, he deliberately approached me.
Jake meticulously planned and executed every step to take my bone marrow for Freda Natt.
Jake married me, built a relationship with me, and feigned bone cancer to trick me into donating... I remembered all this and felt absurd.
He never loved me. In our ten years together, everything he did and every bit of affection was for Freda.
My heart felt heavy with sadness. I couldn't even breathe.
Since his goal was achieved, the end of our relationship must be near.
He seemed to sense my distance and appeared lost.
When he saw my gaze fall on the handbag in his hand, he awkwardly pulled it back. "A friend of mine is hospitalized, and I'm helping her bring some clothes."
I had seen that handbag in Freda's social media posts.
But, never mind.
I had learned that he didn't love me, so there was no point in clinging on.
The thought of leaving grew increasingly clear in my mind.
"Alright," I responded indifferently.
Jake naturally took the items from my hand. "Let's go. I'll give you a ride."
I was stunned. "What about your friend?"
"It's fine."
No matter how I protested, he remained firm in his decision.
I had no choice but to get into the car.
Wedged in the gap of the passenger seat was a lipstick. It was Freda's.
Although I was prepared, my mind went black momentarily when I saw the lipstick.
Jake didn't notice my unease and merely adjusted the air conditioning.
He knew I was prone to feeling cold easily.
To accommodate my motion sickness, he drove smoothly.
Watching his profile, I suddenly said, "Jake."
"Yes?"
"This is it for us..."
Before I could finish, his phone rang.
Jake freed a hand to answer it.
The voice on the other end of the line was sweet and soft. It was presumably Freda.
I considerately turned to look out of the window.
From the corner of my eye, I saw his gentle expression as he talked to Freda on the phone.
Actually, Jake's acting wasn't very convincing.
Such scenarios had occurred multiple times.
He always failed to hide his concern and affection for another woman.
Yet Jake's presence conveniently filled the void of family warmth within me.
I was afraid to lose the fragile, home-like warmth I found with him.
So even when I sensed something was wrong, I restrained myself from overthinking.
As long as I didn't dwell on it, nothing seemed amiss.
But I never imagined my self-deception would ultimately cost me so dearly.
After hanging up, he asked me, "Molly, what were you going to say just now?"
"Nothing." I shook my head.
Jake nodded and gave an apologetic expression. "My friend suddenly has an issue. I might not be able to drive you there."
"It's okay." I unbuckled the seatbelt and said, "Just pull over."
Despite his conflicted expression, his actions were decisive.
After handing me my items, he drove away without hesitation.
Watching the car disappear into the distance, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
"Jake, I'm leaving you," I said in my mind.