Chapter 1 My Only Wish Before I Die
866 Words
"Selena, I'm afraid I don't have much time left..."
The cold hospital room was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant.
Mary, pale and emaciated, with a breathing tube in her nose, weakly lay in bed, tightly holding the hand of her only daughter, Selena.
In her desperate gaze, there was a hint of reluctance.
Her poor daughter had just graduated from university and was all alone—how could she bear to leave this world with that in mind?
"Mom, please don't say that..."
Selena, her eyes red, pleaded with her, tears streaming down her face, falling onto the white bedsheet.
Her brilliant golden curls seemed to dull with her sorrow.
Mary's hand, so thin that there was no flesh left, gripped Selena's tightly. She shook her head, looking into her daughter's eyes, her voice trembling but determined.
"Selena, you know my days are numbered. My only concern is what happens to you after I die. I want you to have a child. Promise me!"
"I promise. Mom, please hold on and wait for the baby."
The teary-eyed Selena nodded fervently, her voice choked with sobs as she sniffled and gripped Mary's hand with both of hers, as though holding onto the last glimmer of hope in her life. "Hang on for the baby, okay? The baby will like you a lot! We both need you!"
According to the doctor, Mary's illness had progressed to the point where it was only her willpower keeping her alive. Some could last for a few more years, but others couldn't even last a few months.
Selena would do anything just to give her mother a little more time.
"Okay!"
Mary smiled with relief, as though exhausted by the few words she had just uttered. She slowly laid back, closed her eyes, and fell into a peaceful sleep.
Looking at her mother's tired face, Selena suddenly felt a sense of relief. She had a loving boyfriend, Ethan Ponce, with whom she had been in a relationship for two years. Now, she was just waiting for him to take the next step.
Or perhaps she could be more proactive?
Leaving the hospital, Selena headed straight to the nearest jewelry store, using the last of her money to buy the best engagement rings within her budget.
Holding the ring box, she bit her lip, feeling anxious. "I hope he'll like this surprise."
To make the rushed proposal seem more formal, Selena purposely went home to dress up in the way Ethan liked, hoping to make him happy.
Before leaving, she stood in front of the mirror, took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and cheered herself on. "For the baby, this proposal will definitely succeed!"
*****
At the outdoor café downstairs from Ethan's company
The afternoon sun was so bright that Selena could barely keep her eyes open.
She stood up and moved to a spot where greenery blocked the light, then pulled out the ring box, slowly opening it.
Inside were two intertwined engagement rings, evoking the image of newlyweds embracing after a successful proposal.
'I never thought I'd be the one proposing to Ethan, but if it's the only way...'
Thinking about the scene of her and Ethan hugging and crying after a successful proposal, Selena couldn't help but smile happily.
A familiar sound of footsteps approached, and Selena looked up in surprise to see Ethan.
She was completely shocked.
She wanted to surprise Ethan, but hadn't had the chance to contact him yet—why was he here?
Ethan seemed entirely unaware of her presence as he walked straight ahead, the flowers and ring box in his hands conspicuous.
'Is that a ring! Is he about to propose to me first?! Oh Ethan…'
Selena couldn't help but smile blissfully, gripping the ring box she had just bought, feeling as if her heart were soaking in honey.
Just as Selena eagerly watched Ethan, waiting for him to walk over and propose, he walked past her without so much as a glance to her direction, stopping in front of a woman in a blue dress.
Ethan, dressed in a formal shirt and trousers, held a bouquet of red roses, gazing gently at the woman.
The sunlight bathed his face, making his smile look even brighter.
'Who is she?' Selena gasped, covering her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Ethan knelt down in front of another woman, offering her the roses, and asked with deep affection, "Cathy, will you marry me?"
When Ethan raised his arm to present the bouquet, Selena saw the name "Cathy" boldly written on his wrist—the wrist with which he had embraced her countless times.
'What the f**k?' Selena muttered under her breath as disbelief and anger surged within her.
Meanwhile, Cathy Potts's eyes widened in shock as she eagerly accepted the ring, almost exactly as Selena had imagined herself doing just moments before.
The scene before her made Selena realize she could no longer deceive herself.
Ethan had betrayed her!
He was even proposing to that woman!
Rage surged through her, overpowering the pain of betrayal, and she stood up abruptly, shouting, "Damn it! I won't let him get away with this!"
- Writer
