Chapter 1

Chapter 1

At the scene of the crash, the doctor asked my husband to choose who to save first: me or his first love.

My daughter grabbed his arm and pleaded, "Daddy, save Auntie Jade. She's fragile. She can't wait as long as Mom can."

My husband smiled and patted her head. He praised her for being so mature.

But they both seemed to forget one thing.

The only reason I was at death's door was because I had used my own body to shield them.

In that single moment, my heart turned to ash.

If neither of them loved me, there was no reason for me to keep loving them.

"Treat Jade Quinn first."

My husband's voice was firm and resolute. Just like a thousand times before, he chose her over me.

The doctor had given us the notice thirty minutes ago.

It was New Year's Eve, and the hospital was short-staffed. Between Jade and me, someone had to wait.

My daughter and husband didn't even try to hide their devotion to Jade in front of me. I heard every word.

"Doctor, save Jade first. You have to save her."

"But Mr. Garrison, Ms. Quinn only has superficial scratches..."

My daughter started screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Save Auntie Jade now! Do it now!"

They forgot that I was the one who took the brunt of the impact to keep them safe.

My husband, Grant Garrison, supported Jade as they walked away. He didn't give me a single glance.

The doctor looked at me with eyes full of pity.

But I felt nothing but a hollow numbness. It was as if everything happening here had nothing to do with me.

Ten minutes later, the doctor finished cleaning Jade's scratches.

I didn't know how many of my ribs were broken. The pain was so intense I kept drifting in and out of consciousness.

Then I heard my husband and daughter harassing the doctor in the hallway.

"Check her again. It's only been a few minutes. This was a car accident! Doesn't she need X-rays?"

My daughter chimed in.

"Are you even a real doctor? Auntie Jade is hurt so badly, and you say she's fine? She needs a full-body scan!"

The doctor was frantic.

"But Mrs. Garrison is in critical condition! If I don't treat her now, she won't make it!"

"Her life is cheap," Grant snapped. "She's just a teacher who spends her life sucking up to parents for pennies. Who cares? We'll check on her after Jade is fully taken care of. I'm paying you, so stop talking and do your job!"

Grant's words stung. My heart physically ached.

I was a dedicated teacher. I poured my life into my students, which meant I sometimes spent less time at home. But that never meant I didn't love them.

Grant always believed I only taught because I wanted to get into parents' pockets.

"Fine. Let's go see Auntie Jade. If anything happens to her, you're responsible!"

My husband and daughter dragged the doctor back to Jade's side once again.

I realized then that if I stayed lying here, I really would die.

Since they didn't care if I lived or died, I had nothing left to hold onto.

My life belonged to me. I would be the one to decide its fate.