He Saved Family Visits for His Sweetheart

A week before our wedding, my fiance, Michael Gordon, secretly accepts a classified government job. He departs in a hurry, only leaving me with a simple, "Wait for me." Hope and expectation fill me as I hear that. Yet, for the next three years, he spends his monthly visitation day with someone else. Even when my mother falls terribly sick and I'm in desperate need of money; even when I cry heartrendingly just for a chance to meet with him or make a phone call, the only response I receive is the guard's exasperated message. "Mr. Gordon has already used up his visitation day. Please wait for the next month." Dejected, I get ready to leave. However, in the next second, Michael's childhood sweetheart, Liliana Zink, easily gains entry. "Mr. Gordon specifically instructed us to bring you straight to his office. He really does treat you very well. It's been a year since your breakup, yet he still worries about you being in a bad mood and spends his visitation days with you." As I move to rush inside again, the guard hastily stops me. "Don't even think about it. As if Mr. Gordon could possibly have any money. All his allowance goes to Ms. Zink." That night, I can't even afford to get Mom any painkillers. This is all my fault for being so useless. Nevertheless, I don't want to wait any longer. At last, Michael completes the project and returns, but I'm already married to someone else. Chapter 1 Rosalie's POV I went back for the first time in a long while to see an elderly doctor who specializes in gynecology. Unexpectedly, I ran into Michael Gordon, my ex-fiance, who had just returned after finishing his classified project. It had been so many years that I had long since forgotten this date, which should've been ingrained in my mind. A crowd surrounded him and his childhood sweetheart, Liliana Zink. His superior patted his back in delight, saying, "Remember to send us your wedding invitation! The past three years must have been truly difficult for you two since you were only able to meet once a month on visitation day." An awkward expression took over Michael's face as he searched for any sign of me. Liliana leaned back against his chest, as if by habit. "Mike, it's been so long since you've seen Rose, yet she didn't even bother coming on such an important day. Maybe she's already married someone else." Immediately, Michael's expression darkened as he retorted, "That's impossible. Don't spout such nonsense." Meanwhile, I had already seen the doctor and was waiting for my prescription. With a turn of his head, Michael and I locked gazes. He instantly strode toward me, a wide smile curving his lips. "Rose, I knew that you wouldn't forget such an important date. This project didn't allow me to take too many days of leave, so I wasn't able to see you. It must have been so hard for you." His eyes moved to the sign behind me, which showed that we were at the gynecology department. A hint of guilt flashed in them. "Are you still having painful periods?" In the past, I would've been utterly delighted to hear his concern for me. Like a fool, I even found all sorts of excuses for him, believing him when he said he couldn't take any leave and waiting for him for three whole years. Now, however, I no longer had any feelings for him. I shook my head and opened my mouth to explain that I was here for fertility issues. Yet, before I could say anything, Michael had already nudged me aside as he pushed Liliana down into the seat, demanding that the doctor take a look at her. Liliana put on an embarrassed look. "I'm just having the sniffles, Mike. There's no need to make such a huge fuss. You should let Rose see the doctor first. Having period cramps is truly awful." Nonetheless, Michael insisted that she be thoroughly examined first. "She's used to it, so she'll be fine waiting a short while." Upon hearing this, I was momentarily dazed. One time, I suffered from period cramps so severe that I almost fainted. My face was ghastly pale as I told him to buy me some medicine at the pharmacy, yet even when night fell, he still hadn't returned with the medicine. I made a fuss over it for a long time, yet he simply brushed me off with a joke. "You just need to get pregnant, then you'll be fine. Eating too much medicine is bad for your body." Later, I found out that he had simply been out taking a walk with Liliana. When I heard the old gossips around the neighborhood commending their love, saying how Liliana and Michael had been together on and off over the years, I felt like the biggest fool in the world. Because of this, I fought with Michael constantly, getting into all sorts of arguments. At last, he proposed to me and completely cut ties with Liliana. After that, the smile returned to my face. I believed that this relationship was still worth it. However, that was before he went off to work on some confidential project for three years, after which he couldn't even bear to spare me one visitation day. Instead, he gave them all to Liliana, who was downtrodden due to her breakup. As for me? Well, I didn't matter. It was as if he thought I had no feelings… My thoughts snapped back to the present when the doctor called out my name and handed me the medicine. "Take it according to these instructions, and you'll be pregnant in no time. You're still young, so just take it slow and easy." Chapter 2 Rosalie's POV A tinge of red crept onto Michael's face, and he appeared somewhat surprised. But then he said in a conflicted tone, "Rose, you're already thinking of getting pregnant? Don't you think that's a little too fast? I was just about to tell you that I plan on delaying the wedding for one more year. Some stuff happened with Lily, so I have to keep her company for a year." Liliana was quick to chime in, as though worried that I wouldn't get angry. "Rose, it's all my fault. I want to have my wedding together with you two, so wait for me to get a boyfriend, okay? Don't be mad." To me, it was a ridiculously laughable excuse, yet Michael hastily comforted her. Was it not enough that he had secretly been there for her for the past few years? Now, they were even boldly asking for one more year. Amused at their antics, I answered indifferently, "You two can do whatever you like. It has nothing to do with me anymore. I'm already married…" However, nobody seemed to have heard my words, for Michael's friends started jeering. "It's just a small matter, Rose, so don't be angry. It's been so long since you two saw each other. Just kiss and make up, alright?" Rolling my eyes, I turned to leave, wanting to get out of there as fast as humanly possible. Unexpectedly, Michael pulled me into a hug, completely ignoring my struggles as he basked in his imagined bliss. Amidst his friends' teasing cheers, he prepared to force me into a kiss. His tight grip was painful, but I finally managed to free myself and slapped him hard across the cheek. I said firmly, "I'm already married, so please watch yourself." A dead silence descended upon the scene. Embarrassment flashed across Michael's face before anger took over. "Rosalie Linton, you shouldn't joke about such matters. You already agreed to my proposal back then. It's not like you're in such desperate need of a man that you need to joke about this." I couldn't help but laugh as he attacked me with those vile words. A week before we were to marry, he ran off to apply for a classified project without so much as bothering to discuss it with me first, all because that was what Liliana liked. For the sake of his future, I accepted his decision and endured. But did he seriously expect me to remain loyal to him when all I had to get by on for those three years was a blurry photo? All because his childhood sweetheart was heartbroken from her breakup, he didn't bother giving me even one visitation day for three whole years. It came to the point that nearly his entire department assumed that Liliana was his fiancee, leaving me to suffer their mockery as they thought I was a homewrecker. "Miss, I suggest that you give up. Mr. Gordon and his fiancee are having a tiff right now. They're already a family. Don't you feel ashamed of what you're doing?" Every time I came to seek a meeting with Michael, I would have to endure their derision. While Michael and I were arguing, Liliana leaned against a nearby table where a kettle sat precariously close to the edge. The movement sent the kettle tipping over. I wasn't able to avoid it in time. Instinctively, I reached out to grab Michael's arm. However, he shoved me aside roughly before yanking Liliana into a protective embrace. The boiling hot water splashed onto my leg, immediately causing blisters to form. Michael apologized anxiously, "Rose, I…" I was in too much pain to bother with him. Ignoring him, I focused on splashing cool water on my wound. Seeing that, the elderly doctor quickly tended to me. It seemed that protecting Liliana had become second nature to Michael. It stung, but thankfully, I no longer loved him, and the feeling passed swiftly. Liliana's eyes reddened, though a hint of smugness flashed in them. "Oh, Mike, you're so horrible. I was standing next to the kettle, so I just needed to step aside a little to avoid being scalded. You should've protected Rose first." I cut off her fake, over-the-top act, my tone calm. "You'll be covering my medical bills, lost income, and damages." Liliana froze before biting down on her lip with an aggrieved look on her face. Michael didn't even notice the wound on my leg. He simply rushed to speak up on her behalf, resentfully snapping, "Lily is already feeling guilty enough. Is this really the time to be talking about that?" I shrugged. Of course, this was the right time. After all, her guilt had nothing to do with me. Liliana stared at the bill with an uncomfortable expression. "I'll go home to get the money now. What is your leg made out of, gold? Why are there so many kinds of medication?" As she left, Michael hastily chased after her, though he did turn back to glance at me. Upon seeing me limp away, he hesitated for all of two seconds before he continued running after Liliana. Chapter 3 Rosalie's POV After that incident, I stayed home to recuperate from my wound and didn't see Michael again until Mom's birthday. I always visited her grave on her birthday. Since my husband had something to attend to that day, I could only go myself. Upon spotting Michael, I moved to step around him, but his hand darted out to stop me. "I didn't think that things would turn out like this—that Mrs. Linton would pass away. Back then, I really thought that Lily needed that job more, and that was why I switched your name out for hers." At the mention of the past, my guard instantly went up. As expected, it really was him! Fury threatened to overwhelm me, and I couldn't stop myself from yelling, "I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into earning that job! What gave you the right to just give it to Liliana? Do you have any idea just how rare that opportunity was? "I trusted you! I trusted you so much! I never imagined you would betray me like that!" Michael let out a sigh. "Lily is terrible at taking care of herself, and since her life was a mess, I simply couldn't rest easy if I left her to fend for herself. I thought that you would find an even better job." His words disgusted me so much that I had to clamp a hand over my mouth as I dry-heaved. He had taken away my job, then disappeared off the face of the earth for three years, leaving me with no way to contact him or prove what he had done. When I sought out Liliana to demand an explanation, she simply denied it fervently. Just like that, my dream job was gone, and there wasn't even anyone I could complain to. I could do nothing but watch as Liliana lived the life I had dreamed of. After that confrontation with Liliana back then, I returned home in a daze. I didn't even know how I made it back. My only option was to scrape by doing odd jobs. Then, Mom fell sick. No matter how hard I worked, it just wasn't enough to pay for her treatment. If I had gotten my original job, it would've merely taken six months of my salary to cover the bills. Unfortunately… I felt utterly helpless. Left with no other choice, I could only head for the research institute Michael worked at. Ignoring the looks everyone threw me, I begged over and over. "Please help me reach out to Michael Gordon! I really need money! I'm here to borrow money from him, not to beg for a chance to see him. So please, please help me pass on a message! Tell him that Rosalie Linton wants to borrow money from him!" However, when the guard came out, he only said exasperatedly, "Mr. Gordon has something to deal with and isn't free. He didn't even finish hearing your message." I felt as though I had plunged into icy waters. A loud ringing filled my ears. The only thing I could think of was that I wanted to charge inside to find Michael. To my dismay, the guard steadfastly refused to let me pass. "Stop being so persistent. There are plenty of other men in the world. Why do you insist on being a homewrecker? That's a terrible sin, you know." Just as I turned around to leave, feeling utterly dejected, I saw Lilian gain entry into the research institute without much fuss. It was also then that I learned that Michael had been giving her all of his allowance as well. In that moment, I gave up on him completely. Back in the present, when I remained quiet, Michael placed an intricate ring in my palm. "I promise to take good care of you from now on. I honestly didn't know that things would turn out like this." With that, he led Liliana over to Mom's grave, clearly about to get down on their knees and pay their respects. I let out a shrill scream at the sight. The pain and grief at losing Mom overwhelmed me once more, causing tears to spill down my cheeks. "Get away from her! You two have no right to pay your respects to her! My mother doesn't need you or your lousy words! She's dead because of you two!" Michael's gaze softened, but just as he was about to give in, Liliana dropped to her knees. "This is all my fault. I'm the reason Mrs. Linton is dead, and I'm here now to apologize for that. I'll be haunted by this forever if you don't allow me to apologize to her today." She bowed her head before Mom's grave and stood up. However, as she did so, she stumbled, slamming into Mom's gravemarker and toppling it over. That was the last straw. Unable to stand it anymore, I slapped her and threw myself at her. "My mother is already dead. Why can't you let her rest in peace?" Michael hastily tried to pull me off of Liliana, saying, "Stop this nonsense, Rosalie. Just set up a new one." Nonetheless, I finally had an outlet for all the pent-up resentment and hatred from the past few years. I absolutely refused to let go of Liliana. What gave them the right to take away everything that I held dear to me? What gave them the right to come and disturb me now, when I had finally moved on and started a new life? Liliana's face was twisted in pain as she screamed, though hatred shone in her eyes as well. Finally, Michael couldn't bear it anymore and yanked me away before smacking me harshly. "Enough with your tantrum! Lily isn't the reason your mother is dead! At the end of the day, you only have yourself to blame for being so useless that you couldn't even find another job after losing that one!" My eyes were red with fury as I roared, "Get lost! Get out of here!" Michael's pupils quivered slightly, and he hurriedly came over to steady me. However, I shoved his arm away and showed him my wedding ring. "I'm already married, so can you just get out of my sight? You two don't deserve to stand before my mother's grave." Michael completely lost his composure and let out an angry laugh. "Rose, stop lying to me. There's no way I wouldn't have heard of news of you getting married. "What, are you going to tell me that your husband's identity needs to be kept a secret? There aren't many people in this town whose identities are confidential. As if you could possibly have run into one of them!" In the past, I loved him so selflessly, so humbly, that he had come to believe that I would always wait for him. Suddenly, someone shoved me from behind. The force sent me crashing to the ground. Immediately, a slick warmth began sliding down my legs. Chapter 4 Rosalie's POV Staring at the bright red blood flowing from between my legs, I finally felt myself panic. "Michael, take me to the hospital." This was the baby I had finally conceived after taking so much bitter fertility medication. I hadn't even gotten the chance to discover its existence and celebrate it yet! I didn't want to lose my baby! I simply couldn't! Thus, I mustered all my strength to beg Michael. "Please, save me! It hurts so much! Michael, for the sake of our past relationship, please help me…" Michael's initial reaction was to scoop me up to take me to the hospital. Yet, Liliana cried out, accusing me, "Mike, don't you think that looks like a miscarriage? You and Rose haven't even slept together yet, so where did the baby even come from? Could it be that she cheated on you? I knew she wasn't the sort of woman who could tolerate loneliness." I clung to Michael with a death grip. "I don't care about the job anymore. Just please, take me to the hospital…" My vision swam as I struggled to remain conscious through the agony. However, Michael seemed to freeze at Liliana's words. Stopping in his tracks, he said, "She's just on her period. Her cramps have always been bad. Do you have a sanitary napkin?" A hint of jealous resentment flickered in Liliana's eyes. She hurriedly chimed in, trying to sow discord between us. "Period cramps aren't like that. That must be a miscarriage. Remember what that doctor said the other day? "Mike, thank goodness I advised you to go for that classified research project. At least you managed to see her true colors before you actually got married to her." Michael flicked her forehead, and from his playful tone, it was clear that he didn't believe her. "What nonsense are you talking about? She's just having bad period cramps. If you don't believe me, let's make a bet." Though Liliana was furious, she could only agree. Just like that, the two of them stood there and watched me bleed. Even as I writhed in pain, neither of them was willing to help me. Despair welled in me, and I had no choice but to slowly crawl forward myself, all the while shouting for help. Liliana's lips curved into a wicked smirk as she commented, "Mike, how are we supposed to know who won the bet if Rose gets away?" Michael immediately reached out and dragged me back. I lashed out with my nails, scratching wildly at anything within reach. In my desperation, I threatened, "Get away from me if you won't help! My husband is your superior! You two have already committed a crime by stopping me from seeking help!" Nonetheless, Liliana continued to poison Michael against me. "Your husband is our superior? Are you still dreaming or what? I bet you seduced some random man on the street." A slap to her face was my only response. Michael yanked me away from her before forcing my head down. "What are you doing? Apologize!" Cold sweat had long since drenched my body. Worried over Liliana's face, Michael ultimately decided to take her to the doctor. Glancing over at me, he said, "Apologize sincerely, and I'll come back later for you. If you refuse, then you can deal with your period cramps yourself. To think that I even found a doctor who could help with your cramps." Before I could answer, he had already hurried away with Liliana. As I continued to bleed out on the ground, my body grew increasingly cold, and my vision blurred further. I had no idea how much time had passed before a man ran over to me and pulled me into his arms. Beside him, his assistant tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand. "Sir, how would you like to deal with this?" The comforting and familiar presence had me finally succumbing to the darkness.