No Time for Regrets I’ll Take My Toxic Fiancé to Hell

Today was the third anniversary of his "death." Three years ago, I wanted to end my life and follow him. But then, I discovered I was pregnant. To keep Julian’s only child alive, I swallowed my tears and forced myself to get through his funeral. I thought Julian’s wealthy family would at least help us, but they kicked me out, calling me a curse who brought death to their son. My own parents thought my unmarried pregnancy was an embarrassment. They completely disowned me. Since that day, my life became a living hell. The families of the hitman’s victims blamed Julian, and they took their anger out on me. They stalked me relentlessly. Every time they cornered me, I would cry and scream the same thing: "Julian is dead! Please, he’s dead!" But they didn't care. They tried to run me over while I was walking Lily home from preschool. In the dead of night, they splashed blood-red paint on my door, writing "An Eye for an Eye" in giant letters. They even stuffed bloody death threats inside Lily’s favorite teddy bear. Every single day, I lived in constant terror. I moved with my daughter over and over again, but like ghosts, they always found us. On countless nights, I stared at the ceiling, wanting to end it all. But then I would look down at Lily’s sleeping face, bite my tongue, and force myself to keep breathing. Three years. It felt like a lifetime. "Where is the patient's mother?" Dr. Carter’s voice snapped me back to reality. I bolted upright, stumbling forward, and grabbed the edge of his white coat. "Doctor! How is my daughter?" "She’s out of danger for now," he said, sighing gently. His tone was firm. "But she needs her medication daily. Not a single day can be missed." He handed me the hospital bill. My tensed nerves relaxed for a second, but when I saw the total, my heart plummeted. Panic seized me. Dr. Carter was one of the few people who knew my story. He never showed me any malice; instead, he always tried to help us. My lips trembled, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. He had already done so much for us. I couldn't beg him for more. Seeing me staring blankly at the bill, Dr. Carter smiled warmly. "Don't worry about the bill. Someone paid it anonymously." I was stunned. I couldn't think of anyone who would pay such a massive amount for us. Suddenly, a crazy memory flashed in my mind. Three years ago, as Julian "died" in my arms, he whispered: *I'll make sure you're safe for the rest of your life.* My eyes welled with tears as a wild, ridiculous thought took over. Could he... be alive? Dr. Carter turned to leave. My chest tightened. I rushed forward, my voice shaking. "Dr. Carter! Wait! The person who paid... did you see what they looked like?" He stopped and shook his head regretfully. "I’m not sure. I walked past the billing window earlier and only saw a man and a woman." A man and a woman?! My fingertips turned ice-cold. He was alive. He was definitely alive. But who was the woman next to him? I lost my mind. I ran through the hospital corridors, searching every corner, but found nothing. Eventually, I collapsed to the floor, crying hysterically. He was alive! He was breathing this same air! But when my daughter was suffocating, when I was begging on the streets for a single dollar, where was he? Why? Why did he never come to find us? "Chloe Miller," a mocking voice sneered from above. "Look at you. You look like a crazed homeless woman. Where did all your high-class elegance go? Tsk tsk, how pathetic."

I looked up. It was Vivian. She was staring down at me, her eyes filled with pure, unadulterated malice. "Chloe, seeing you reduced to this... it’s absolutely thrilling!" "Why don't you take a guess? Why did your precious little daughter suddenly have a heart attack today?" Vivian’s laughter was sharp and piercing. A cold dread washed over me. I froze, and then the realization hit me like a truck. I lunged at her, screaming: "It was you?! You did this to Lily! If you hate me, come at me! Why would you hurt a child?" "I’m warning you, Vivian! If you touch Lily again, I will drag you to hell with me!" Vivian shrugged, completely unfazed. "Chloe, whatever you care about the most, I will destroy. I just hope you and your brat don't die too quickly. I’m not done playing with you yet." I remembered what Dr. Carter said and yelled, "Is Julian still alive? Where is he?!" A flicker of panic crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "Isn't he dead? He died right in your arms, remember? Have you lost your mind?" She turned to walk away. But I was faster. I blocked her path. "You’re not leaving until you tell me the truth." Vivian laughed mockingly. "Chloe, instead of wasting your time blocking me, you should go back and look at your daughter. Who knows, maybe she..." My heart stopped. I pushed past her and sprinted back to the ICU. Inside the room, the heart monitor was beeping frantically. I screamed for the nurses. When they saw Lily’s condition, they glared at me in shock. "Ms. Miller! Do you want your daughter to die? Why did you unplug her oxygen?!" "She hasn't even regained consciousness yet! She needs constant care!" "I’ve never seen such an irresponsible mother!" Their words stabbed into my chest, making it hard to breathe. She was my baby. Why would I ever hurt her? It had to be Vivian! She was trying to kill my daughter! I ran out like a madwoman, searching for her, but she had already vanished. With nowhere to vent my rage, I collapsed in the hallway, crying and praying that my daughter would survive. It wasn't until midnight that Lily finally fluttered her eyes open. Seeing me, her eyes welled up. She reached out a tiny, weak hand and whispered through cracked lips, "Mommy... I’m sorry. I made you worry." I gently stroked her hair, my voice cracking. "It’s okay, baby. Mommy is here. Just get better." I dipped a cotton swab in warm water and gently dabbed her dry lips. My tears fell onto the back of her little hand. "Don't cry, Mommy. Lily is brave..." I forced my tears back and squeezed out a smile. For the next few days, I stopped taking side jobs. I stayed by her bedside every second, reading her favorite fairy tales over and over. Seeing her soft smile was the only peace I had in this world. A week later, I went to fill out the discharge papers. I asked the nurse to watch Lily for a few minutes. But when I returned, I saw Vivian standing right by Lily’s bed. I don't know what she said, but Lily’s face was deathly pale. "Vivian! What the hell are you doing here?" "You already hurt my daughter once! I won't let you touch her again!" I violently shoved Vivian away and wrapped my arms around Lily. Vivian immediately put on a sweet, hurt expression. "Chloe, did I do something to upset you? Lily is my niece. Why would I ever hurt her?" "Stop lying!" I screamed. "I heard you! You and Julian have been lying to me this whole time! Stop acting innocent!" Vivian blinked, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Even if we did, what can you do about it? Look at you. You’re a broke loser who can't even afford your kid’s medical bills. You deserved to be tricked." The blood rushed to my head. I grabbed Vivian by her hair and slammed her against the wall. But before I could do more, a cold, familiar voice cut through the air. "That's enough, Chloe. Stop acting like a psycho." My breathing stopped. I slowly turned my head.

I stared blankly at the man who had been "dead" for three years. Julian Vance. Memories flooded my mind. Julian and I were high school sweethearts. Getting married was supposed to be a natural step. But after Vivian entered our lives as my stepsister, everything changed. Once, Vivian pretended to be close to me in front of Julian. But the second he walked away, she whispered: "I don't care if he’s your fiancé. If I want him, I’ll take him." Furious, I slapped her. Vivian screamed hysterically. Julian ran back and saw me hitting her. He immediately pulled me off her and yelled, "Chloe! What is wrong with you? Why are you hurting Vivian?" Julian demanded that I get down on my knees and beg Vivian for forgiveness. When I refused, he threatened to call off the wedding. Seeing him protect her, I lost my mind. I looked him dead in the eye and said: "Julian, I’ll ask you once. Her or me? If you choose her, we are done." Julian’s face was rigid, but he didn't stop me from walking away. Instead, he helped Vivian up and muttered, "I’m sorry, Vivian. I’ve spoiled her too much. I’ll make sure she learns her lesson." I didn't believe he would actually punish me for Vivian. But I was wrong. Deadly wrong. Three days later, Julian covered himself in fake blood and ran to my apartment, claiming he was being hunted by dangerous cartel members. I begged him to flee the country, but he refused. He said if he left, they would kill me. He said the only way to keep me safe was for him to commit suicide. And then, he looked at me and said: "This is my punishment for you, Chloe. Learn to be obedient. Stop bullying Vivian." I screamed as he "shot" himself and collapsed in my arms. "No! I don't accept this punishment! I was wrong! Please don't leave me!" After that day, my father publicly disowned me to "protect the family reputation." He announced to the media: "The Miller family only has one daughter, and her name is Vivian!" I became a homeless orphan. I had nothing. No fiancé, no family. All I had left was the baby in my womb. Seeing me standing there like a statue, Vivian used Julian’s blind spot to pinch my arm violently. The sharp pain brought me back to reality. I gasped, shoved her away, and lunged at Julian. I grabbed his expensive collar, screaming at the top of my lungs: "Julian! You’re alive! Why did you fake your death?! Why did you lie to me?!" My voice cracked with pure agony. "Do you have any idea how I lived these past three years?! I thought you were dead!" Before Julian could speak, Vivian shoved me away and shielded him. "Chloe, have you lost your mind? Julian just paid for your daughter's surgery! How can you be so ungrateful?" My rage boiled over. "She is his daughter! Paying for her is his damn job!" "And who the hell are you to talk to me?!" I grabbed Vivian by the neck and slapped her hard across the face. As I raised my hand to strike again, Julian grabbed my wrist. He squeezed so hard I felt my bones crushing. He stared down at me with cold, detached eyes. Tears streamed down my face, but I refused to look away. Seeing my tears, he finally let go. His tone was filled with arrogant pity. "Now that you know the truth, pack your things and come back with me. You don't have to live in this dump anymore. I’ll make it up to you." I ignored him, turned around, and slapped Vivian again. Without a second thought, Julian raised his hand and slapped me back. "Chloe! Have you not had enough?" "Did three years of misery still not teach you how to behave?"