My Husband Chooses Her Life Over Mine

"Your wife, or the one beside her, Kenneth, you can only choose one." Kenneth stood opposite us, glaring at the kidnapper. I saw the apology in his eyes, and my already pale face turned even more ashen. The kidnapper held us both tightly, like his last shield, making it impossible for us to move. Beside me, Pearl sobbed, looking pitiful, yet her clothes were spotless, without a single scratch. "Kenneth, choose Jocelyn. She's your wife, after all. You have to protect her... It doesn't matter if I die here. As long as you're happy, Kenneth." Her tears streamed down like strings of pearls, while I, tortured, couldn't even speak. I looked at Kenneth, hoping he would save me for the sake of our five years of marriage. The kidnapper brandished two knives, holding them against our throats. "I choose Pearl! Don't hurt her!" Sadly, Kenneth's eyes on me were filled with pain and apology, but his voice was unwavering, filled only with urgency to save Pearl. I managed a bitter laugh. Due to screaming for two days, my throat became hoarse and dry, and I couldn't make any sound. I couldn't understand. He loved someone else, so why did he keep me trapped for five years? Blood continued to seep from my wounds, yet I was already numb to it. The kidnapper's knives drew closer, and I closed my eyes, awaiting death's arrival. BANG! The expected pain came from another part of my body. I turned my head, staring at my left arm, now pierced by the bullet, and the kidnapper slowly collapsed behind me, looking at Kenneth in disbelief. The bullet came from the person next to Kenneth. He shot surely after seeking Kenneth's approval. Both Pearl and I stood in front of the kidnapper, and even though Pearl was closer to the kidnapper's heart, the bullet hit me. It was clear he chose to protect Pearl once again. Blood gushed from my wounds, and I finally fell. Kenneth saw me falling and immediately tried to rush over to catch me, but Pearl, crying, threw herself into his arms. "I was so scared, Kenneth! I thought I'd never see you again!" My consciousness began to fade, and the last thing I saw was medical personnel swarming around me. Meanwhile, my husband stood just 15 feet away, hugging another woman and comforting her. ***** When I blinked my eyes open again, a harsh reality hit me—my left arm lay lifeless. My entire body was swathed in bandages, a stark reminder of the nightmare I had survived. But none of that mattered; what mattered was that I couldn't control my left arm anymore. The realization threw me into ice water, sending a chill into my very bones. Kenneth saw me awake and joyfully called me, "Jocelyn? You're finally awake! How are you feeling? Any aches or pains?" I looked at him, my voice cut through the air, sharp and frosty. "What happened to my arm?" Kenneth hesitated, his eyes darting awkwardly to the vase beside me. "These flowers have been here for a while. Let me get you some new flowers. Are you hungry?" "Enough!" I shouted, my voice still raw and raspy. "Tell me what happened to my arm! Am I going to be disabled forever?" "Kenneth, answer me!" He placed the vase back and gently held my hand. "Don't worry, Jocelyn. This is only temporary. I'll find the best doctors and get you the best medical care. You'll be fine. Don't be upset, okay?" How could I not be upset? My left arm was a part of me! I stared at Kenneth. My tears had long dried up, and I only felt a hollow ache of despair. "Why?" "Pearl was closer to the kidnapper, and we were not close. Your people's marksmanship is good, and you could have him aim the g*n between us and take him down. Why did you choose to shoot through my arm?" Kenneth was silent for a few seconds before speaking, his voice laced with guilt. "That was risky. I wanted to play it safe..." "Safe? Pearl's safety?" I looked at him in disbelief. He lowered his head, avoiding my gaze, and murmured, "Pearl has poor health; she can't take even a minor injury..." So, to avoid hurting Pearl even a little, he chose to sacrifice me? For the first time, I felt that this man, who had shared my bed for five years, was like a stranger. My heart sank into a deep, dark abyss. I leaned back against the bed, drained of all strength. Suddenly, I remembered the kidnapper. "What about the kidnapper? A shot to his right chest shouldn't be fatal, right?" I was numb to my husband's indifference and had lost all desire to question him. I just wanted to find the kidnapper and see him punished. To my surprise, Kenneth didn't answer this question either. "Is he dead?" I asked, puzzled. "No." "Then where is he now? How did you deal with him?" Kenneth lowered his head, refusing to meet my eyes. Just then, a knock sounded, breaking the tense silence. As the door swung open, a group of four or five people rushed in, looking like a family. They rushed over and knelt beside my bed. "Thank you so much for signing the settlement agreement for us. We really appreciate it," one of them said. "This is a gift for you. Please accept it," another added, holding a bunch of flowers. Settlement agreement? "What settlement agreement?" I asked the middle-aged lady holding the flowers. She hesitated, then whispered, "The one you signed yesterday, agreeing to forgive the kidnapper." A fiery rage ignited within me, burning away my reason. I glanced at Kenneth, who stood silently by. Everything was clear. "You signed the agreement on my behalf? Kenneth, how could you do it?!" I snatched up the vase he had just put down and hurled it at him with all the strength I could muster. He stood there, letting me unleash my fury. The people around us were startled, rushing to restrain me. But I was like a whirlwind, using my only good arm to fling everything within reach at him. When there was nothing left to throw, I collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air. My wounds had reopened, blood seeping through the bandages, a terrifying red. Kenneth gently took my hand, as if cradling a rare treasure. "Don't be angry, Jocelyn. Pearl talked to the kidnapper. He was forced to do it. We decided to forgive him, but he will still be detained for a time to learn his lesson." What a sick joke. My heart ached as if it was pierced by needles. They could afford to be generous, but what about me? Why was I not consulted? I glared at him with burning eyes. "Kenneth, let's get a divorce." I swore they would pay. I would reclaim everything they owed me, piece by piece.