Going Out With a Blast

Zayn Ulrich and I have dated for seven years. However, when he's prosecuted and sent to prison, I leave him without hesitation. I turn to his best friend instead. Now, Zayn is out of prison. He rises from the ashes and uses every means possible to force me into marrying him. Everyone says he truly loves me, but no one knows the truth. Every night after our wedding, he brings different women into our bed, not even sparing my own sister. This is his punishment for my so-called betrayal. What he doesn't know is that I risked my life to clear his name—I willingly walked into a mafia hideout and traded one kidney and half my liver for the key evidence that saved him. Unfortunately, my time is running out. Chapter 1 "Ms. Lacroix, are you sure you want to schedule the euthanasia program for next month? Are you sure you'd like to donate all your organs too?" "I'm sure," Cadence Lacroix replied, her tone bitter as she looked down at the test report filled with alarming results. "Given my condition, I'm just living on borrowed time." All of her organs were failing with no hope of recovery. At most, she had only one year left to live. Rather than dragging things out in bed during her remaining days, she would rather leave with dignity and make a small contribution to society. Under the doctor's mournful gaze, Cadence stood up and left the hospital. When she returned home and opened the door, she immediately heard amorous noises coming from the bedroom. Her already pale face turned a shade whiter. She quickly hid her health report and leaned against the bedroom door. As she listened to the sounds of intense lovemaking inside, her nails dug deep into her palm without her realizing it. She had long lost count of how many women Zayn Ulrich had brought home. In their two years of marriage, he had brought home different women every day. Then, he made love to them right in front of her and insisted that she stay and watch. After one whole hour, the noises inside gradually died down. Zayn walked out of the bedroom shirtless. When he saw Cadence leaning against the door, he ordered coldly, "Why are you just standing there? Cassidy is thirsty. Go pour her a glass of water." Cadence's heart skipped a beat. For a moment, she thought she'd heard wrong. "Cassidy?" she repeated breathlessly. She strode to the bedroom door and looked at the woman on the bed. Cassidy Lacroix bore a striking resemblance to her sister. At the moment, she was lying weakly on the bed. She was dressed in Cadence's silk nightgown, which had been torn to shreds. Cadence's hands trembled slightly. She turned around and looked at Zayn with reddened eyes. "Do you know what you're doing? Cassidy is my sister! How could you do this?" Zayn grabbed her wrist and pressed it against the wall. A mocking glint appeared in his deep-set eyes as he responded indifferently, "So what? Oh, that's right. She's your only remaining family. How does it feel to be betrayed by the one you trust the most? Awful, isn't it?" Zayn's voice was icy. His gaze was dark and stormy. "You deserve every bit of this, Cadence!" Cadence closed her eyes as a bitter feeling surged from within. She and Zayn had been childhood sweethearts. They had been madly in love since they were young. They'd dated for seven years and had long been ready to get married. But right before the wedding, a scandal broke out at the hospital Zayn managed. The supposedly respectable medical institution was exposed to have been involved in organ trafficking. Zayn was deemed to be the main culprit and was swiftly sent to prison. In one night, Zayn went from a promising and successful businessman to a criminal behind bars. He sent Cadence countless messages and made endless calls to explain himself and beg her to believe in him. He insisted his name would soon be cleared, and he would be released. But at the lowest point in his life, when he needed her most, Cadence broke up with him and announced that she had started a new relationship with his best friend. Even when Zayn was charged and arrested, he had remained calm the whole time. But when he heard that news, he broke down instantly and threatened to kill himself. He knelt on the ground and begged the police officers to let him see Cadence. He went too far with his threats to end his life. Due to massive blood loss, he was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. But all he got was news that Cadence had gone abroad with her new boyfriend. Zayn refused to believe Cadence could be so heartless. He borrowed someone else's phone and called her over and over. Yet, his calls never got through. He didn't care about his injury and insisted on going to the airport to find her. Halfway there, his body couldn't take it anymore, and he collapsed. Still, Cadence left without looking back. She didn't even leave him a message. From that moment on, Zayn's love for Cadence turned into vengeful hate. He hated her to the core. After his release, he went to great lengths to marry her, only to humiliate her night after night. What he didn't know was that Cadence had risked her life for him. Through his friend, she had tracked down the organ trafficking operation. She traded one kidney and half of her liver for the key evidence that cleared his name. Chapter 2 Cadence's silence only fueled Zayn's anger. Fury blazed even more ardently in his eyes. He flung her off and wiped the hand that had touched her with a tissue in disgust. "What are you standing there for? Cassidy is still waiting for you to get her some water." Cadence's steps toward the kitchen were slightly panicked. She poured a glass of warm water and placed it on the bedside table. Her hand couldn't help but tremble slightly. "Thank you." Cassidy's voice was hoarse after a round of intense lovemaking. "I'll be in your care after this. Zayn said I can move in after this. We're all family. You don't mind, do you?" Cadence froze for a moment before asking through gritted teeth, "He's lost his mind. Have you lost your mind too?" Her slightly mocking tone provoked Cassidy, whose voice suddenly turned shrill. "That's right. I have indeed lost my mind! You've always been better than me. Everyone always loves you more. No one in our family ever cared about me!" The bedsheets became crinkled from how hard Cassidy clutched them. "Only Zayn cares about me. But he only loved you! Even after being betrayed, he still insisted on marrying you!" Jealousy filled Cassidy's tone as she cried, "You don't deserve this!" Cadence let out a bitter laugh. "So you stooped so low as to climb into your brother-in-law's bed?" "Even if it weren't me, someone else would eventually do that," Cassidy said blandly. Then, she sat up and grabbed Cadence's hand. Her tone softened as she said, "The hospital called me. I know that you don't have much time left. Instead of letting some other woman take the position of Mrs. Ulrich, why not let me take care of Zayn in your place?" "All my life, I've never fought with you over anything. Please relent this once. Let me be with him, Cadence," Cassidy pleaded. Cadence shook her head. "You don't need my blessing." Cassidy's expression became tense, but Cadence's following words made her relax. "He hates me so much. What could I possibly do to stop you?" Cassidy picked up the glass of water and placed it into Cadence's hands while gently saying, "Then, help me one last time." A wave of dread surged through Cadence's heart. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Cassidy suddenly yanked it forward and splashed the entire glass of water onto her own face! At the same time, she let out a piercing scream. "Ah! No!" Zayn rushed through the door and saw Cadence standing at the bedside with the glass in her hand, and before her was a soaked Cassidy, who looked especially pitiful. "Cadence, what the hell is wrong with you?" Zayn held Cassidy in his arms, looking at Cadence with disgust. "Cassidy is your sister!" Cassidy burrowed herself into his embrace, choking back sobs. "Zayn, don't scold Cadence… She was just too shocked…" "Stop being a fool! Why are you still defending her when she's been nothing but horrible to you?" Zayn said in exasperation. He looked down and said softly, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no harm will befall you." Cadence snapped out of her daze and looked at the affectionate scene before her. She felt an icy chill rise in her chest. She turned and walked away, leaving behind that sickeningly sweet scene without looking back. Chapter 3 That night, Zayn and Cassidy seemed to be intent on paying back Cadence for earlier. Once again, they made love obnoxiously and made a ruckus. "Cassidy, I love you so much…" "Zayn, I love you too. Ah!" Cadence was resting in the room right next door. She bit her lip hard and pulled the blanket over her head to drown out the sounds. She, too, had once been like this with Zayn. They had once been entangled in each other's arms on the same bed, and his voice was just as tender back then. They had once held each other tightly as they dreamed of a future where they grew old together, surrounded by their offspring. However, times had changed. In the end, those dreams turned into illusions that popped easily like soap bubbles. As Cadence thought of this, a wave of deep sorrow surged in her heart. Tears slid down her cheeks soundlessly. Cadence barely slept that night. Early the next morning, she got out of bed with faint, dark shadows beneath her eyes. At the breakfast table, she quietly ate her oatmeal while Zayn and Cassidy were busy being all lovey-dovey like they were putting on a show for her. "This bread tastes amazing, Zayn. You have to try it." Cassidy spread jam on a piece of bread and brought it to Zayn's lips. Zayn smiled and accepted the bread by biting down on it and holding it in his mouth for a moment. Then, he held it and took his time savoring it. The sight of this caused Cadence to feel a pang in her heart. Immediately after that, a sharp and very real pain started in her abdomen. It gradually intensified until cold sweat broke out on her forehead. "What's wrong with you?" Zayn frowned from across the table. "I…" Cadence opened her mouth but couldn't utter a single word. The next second, she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her entire body began to sway, and she looked like she was close to passing out. "Cadence!" Zayn's expression changed into one of horror as he shot up from his seat. "I'll take you to the hospital right now. Hang in there!" At that moment, the anxious and worried look on his face made Cadence feel as if she had returned to all those years ago when they were a loving couple. Back then, Zayn would panic whenever she had a slight cold or fever. He would rather he were the one who was sick instead of her. Thinking of that, Cadence felt a tingle of warmth in her otherwise weary heart. But that touching moment vanished just as quickly as it came. Cassidy smiled faintly and stood up leisurely. "Don't panic. Look here. I happened to find an empty blood bag in the bathroom this morning." She then pulled a blood bag with its contents emptied from her pocket. Zayn's expression instantly turned grim. "Cadence, I think the blood you just coughed up came from a bag like this. You wanted to make Zayn feel sorry for you. Am I right?" Cassidy looked at Cadence with a disapproving expression. "That was fake? Were you just putting on an act?" Zayn silently withdrew his hand and stood still. He glared at Cadence frostily. "You're so dumb." Cadence forcefully swallowed the metallic taste in her throat and casually wiped her mouth. "Of course it's fake. I didn't think you'd fall for it, though." "You… You're so vile!" Zayn exclaimed with contempt. "Even if you really are dying, it has absolutely nothing to do with me! If you're going to die, don't die in front of me! You're such an eyesore!" Zayn clenched his jaw and spoke in a furious voice. Chapter 4 Seeing the look of disgust in his eyes, Cadence flashed him a wistful half-smile. "You'll get what you wish for." Cassidy quickly latched onto Zayn's arm and said sweetly, "Zayn, there's no point getting angry over her. You'll just upset yourself. Look, the weather outside is so nice today. Why don't we go out shopping?" Zayn turned to look at Cassidy, and his expression immediately softened. "Alright, I'll go to the garage and get the car. Wait for me," he said gently, wrapping his arm around her waist. With that, he turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door shut with a resounding bang. The loud crash shattered the last bit of calm Cadence had managed to hold onto. Cassidy strolled over casually and dropped her considerate act completely. "I know you don't want him to know about your illness, so no need to thank me. That's just something a sister should do." She winked proudly at Cadence and sashayed out of the dining hall. Hearing the roar of the sports car fading in the distance, Cadence let out a bitter laugh and used all her strength to stand up. The blood loss made her feel waves of cold. It was as if her soul had become weightless and was ready to drift away from her body at any moment. She reached out to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. Then, she gritted her teeth and slowly made her way back to her room. After she took her medicine, the pain she felt inside finally lessened. She could no longer hold on, so she collapsed into a deep, exhausted sleep. From that incident onward, Cadence's appetite noticeably declined. Gradually, it progressed to a point where she could hardly eat anything. During these days, Zayn and Cassidy stuck to each other like conjoined twins. They constantly showed their affection for each other in front of her with no intention of keeping it discreet. Cadence watched them coldly as they flaunted their intimacy. It was like looking at her past self. Once upon a time, they had been happy, carefree, and loved each other wholeheartedly. They had been absolutely focused on one another back then. "This is fine," Cadence comforted herself inwardly. After she died, the two people she cared about the most could continue like this, happily spending the rest of their lives together. Cadence rested for a few days at home. Then came the time for her to go to the hospital to pick up her medication. But as soon as she stepped out, several unfamiliar men suddenly emerged from the alley. They looked unapologetically thuggish. It was clear they were up to no good. "Who are you?" Cadence frowned and looked at them warily. One of the men stepped forward and glared at her fiercely from head to toe. "You're Cadence, right?" Cadence's eyes flickered slightly, and a sense of dread arose in her heart. Sure enough, in the next second, the man waved his hand and barked, "Take her!" Cadence could only let out a muffled whimper as everything went black before her eyes. When she regained consciousness, she found herself tightly tied to a pool railing. Her body was immersed in the ice-cold water. Judging from the surroundings, she was likely in an abandoned factory. Cassidy stood at the edge of the pool, looking down at her from above. "You're awake?" Cassidy said with a smile. "Perfect. Zayn should be arriving soon." Cadence looked at her. "You kidnapped me? Aren't you afraid Zayn will find out?" "He won't know," Cassidy replied with a coquettish smile as she stepped into the pool. "Because I'm a victim too! Say, who do you think Zayn will save first?" When Zayn finally arrived, he saw both women tied up in the pool. Cadence gave him a calm glance and turned her head away as if even one more look at him disgusted her. Meanwhile, Cassidy had already begun crying pitifully. "Zayn, please save me. I'm so scared…" Zayn's gaze hardened as he raised the suitcase in his hand. "I brought the money. It's all in here. Can I take them with me now?" The head of the kidnappers gave a signal. One of his men stepped forward to take the suitcase and deliver it to him. After counting the money, the head kidnapper nodded in satisfaction. "You're free to take them. But… you can only take one." Zayn's head shot up in disbelief. He asked through gritted teeth, "What do you mean by that?" The man glanced at the three of them with amusement. "Nothing, really. I just don't like the idea of a guy having two beautiful ladies waiting on him. I'm curious as to which one means more to you." Without a moment's hesitation, Zayn reached out toward Cassidy. "I choose her." Cadence looked at Zayn and felt a bitter taste spread in her mouth. She thought she no longer cared. But why… Why did her chest still ache so badly? Zayn said in a low voice, "Cadence, you know Cassidy's always been weak. I need to get her to safety first. You're stronger, so you can hold on a little longer. I'll… I'll be back soon." With that, he picked up Cassidy in his arms and left in a hurry. Cadence laughed. As she laughed, a single tear slid from the corner of her eye. Zayn didn't know that her body was already beyond repair and couldn't withstand such harsh conditions. Even so, Cadence thought it was better that he didn't know. Only then could he go on hating her. When she died, he probably wouldn't feel a shred of sadness. At that thought, Cadence lowered her head and looked at her chest. This was what she had wanted, so why did it still hurt? The head kidnapper walked up to Cadence and grabbed her mouth brusquely. Then, he forced a pill down her throat. "Sorry, Ms. Lacroix," the man said, his slimy gaze roaming over her. "I'm just following orders." But before he could do anything more, one of his men rushed in frantically. "Boss, we've got a problem! The cops are here!" The head kidnapper clicked his tongue in irritation as he barked urgent orders. "Forget it. We've already completed our mission. Let's go. Leave her!" Cadence used the last of her strength to struggle against the ropes binding her. It finally loosened a little, but her stamina had reached its limit. Water flooded her nose and mouth, and a terrible weakness spread through her body. Was this the end? What a shame… This was too painful a death, and her body likely couldn't be donated now. Her final wish to give something back to the world would go unfulfilled. Cadence let out a bitter smile, closed her eyes, and waited for death to come. In her haze, she seemed to hear Zayn's hoarse voice calling from far away. "Cadence…" Zayn finally arrived and pulled her out of the water. "Cadence, wake up!" He frantically untied the ropes on her body and patted her face. But the moment Cadence was freed, the first thing she did was throw her arms around him. "I feel awful… Help me," she gasped, her voice thick with a seductive whimper. Zayn shone a flashlight on her and immediately noticed something was wrong. Her eyes were closed. She was delirious as her whole body burned up and trembled in torment. "Cadence, do you know who I am?" Zayn asked, his voice hoarse and his eyes dark. Cadence didn't care anymore. All she knew was that her body felt like it was about to explode. Without another word, she reached out and yanked at the collar of his shirt, pulling it down in one swift motion. "I know. You're… my Zayn." Chapter 5 Those few words instantly shattered the hardened shell Zayn had formed over the years. He held Cadence in his arms tightly and rushed to the car at top speed. Inside the enclosed space, the small sparks of desire turned into a blazing inferno of passion. They only had eyes for each other—nothing else in the world mattered. "Take it easy…" Cadence winced from the pain. Zayn paused slightly, then his movements became incredibly gentle. "Alright. Don't be afraid. Leave everything to me." ... Cadence had no idea how long their lovemaking had lasted. When she woke up, she found herself back home, lying on the same bed with Zayn. Both of them were completely naked, and Zayn's arm was still wrapped around her waist. His body was pressed closely against her back. Countless women had also slept in this bed. Those women had awoken in his arms just as she did now. Following that realization, a bitter ache filled Cadence's heart. She felt a sharp cramp in her stomach. Then only she remembered that she hadn't eaten in days. In the next second, she rolled over and began vomiting violently. "Cadence, what's wrong?" Zayn asked in concern, having been startled awake. After Cadence finally showed her vulnerability and gave in to him for the first time last night, Zayn felt nothing but tenderness for her. But to his surprise, Cadence shoved him away. "Stay… away from me." Her tone was chilly. It was as if what had happened last night had been nothing more than a dream. Zayn's initially euphoric mood instantly sank to rock bottom. His expression became gloomy as well. He thought she must have felt disgusted by him. That was probably why she was throwing up so hard. He climbed out of bed with a frosty expression and made a call. "Get the car ready. Take Cadence to the hospital." Watching his back as he walked away, Cadence felt a bitter ache in her chest. She knew he had misunderstood, but she didn't feel like explaining. What had happened last night was a mistake to begin with. It was a lapse in her own willpower when she craved for a fleeting moment of tenderness. But upon waking, they were still begrudging lovers who were now worlds apart. There was simply no chance of reconciliation between them. After arriving at the hospital, a female doctor named Penny Nielsen conducted a full examination on Cadence. With the report in her hand, the experienced Penny frowned and called Zayn into the room as well. She said solemnly, "Sir, your wife's condition is quite…" But before she could finish her sentence, Zayn's phone suddenly rang. As soon as he picked up, Cassidy's tearful voice came through. "Zayn, I was in a car accident…" Zayn's face tensed instantly. "Wait for me. I'll be right there!" He hung up and said to Penny, "We'll talk about Cadence's condition later. I have something urgent to attend to." Right after saying that, he left the hospital without a backward glance. Watching his retreating figure, Cadence let out a quiet sigh and turned back to Penny. "Dr. Nielsen, don't mind him. Just tell me about my condition." Penny adjusted her thick glasses and sighed. "Ms. Lacroix, your body was already weak. After being submerged in water for so long and spending an entire night exerting yourself while running a high fever, your condition has worsened significantly. "If this continues… I'm sorry to say that you likely won't live more than six months. You've completely lost your sense of taste, and your stomach has lost over 80 percent of its digestive function. From now on, you can only sustain your body through nutrition injections." Cadence took in the news calmly as she accepted the syringe from Penny. In the following days, Zayn was constantly by Cassidy's side. She claimed the kidnapping had left her traumatized and that she would have nightmares every night. So, she insisted that Zayn stay with her at all times. Zayn felt sorry for her and doted on her. He even took her along on work errands. Everyone at the company knew that their respected CEO, Zayn, loved his wife dearly. At the same time, they all thought his wife's name was Cassidy. Soon, it was three days before the euthanasia program. Cadence went to the hospital for one final checkup. Penny looked at the results with a somewhat complicated expression. "You're pregnant, Ms. Lacroix. We recommend you cancel the euthanasia and organ donation plans for now." Cadence was stunned. She asked in disbelief, "I… I'm pregnant?" A flood of emotions swept through her heart as she touched her belly absentmindedly. Just the thought of a life growing inside her made her heart tremble. She felt elated but also weighed down at the same time. This was a tender moment, but it was weighed down by inexplicable bitterness due to her current circumstances. Penny nodded. "That's right. If you want to keep the baby, you'll need to stay on bed rest and use medical equipment to support the pregnancy. You might make it until the baby is born. But you can't proceed with the organ donation anymore." Cadence hesitated and said, "Please give me a few more days to think about it." With a heavy heart, she left the examination room and prepared to head home. But as she reached the elevator in front of the OB-GYN department, she ran into two people she hadn't expected to see there. Zayn was carefully supporting Cassidy, who had a shy smile on her face as she touched her belly. When he noticed Cadence, he frowned. His voice was cold as he asked, "Are you sick again?" He had just brought her to the hospital not too long ago. Why was she back now? Cadence didn't respond. She wasn't sure if she should tell Zayn about her pregnancy. This wasn't just her child. It was his too. He had a right to know. But Cassidy stepped forward excitedly to disrupt her moment of contemplation. "Cadence, I'm so glad you're here! I was just about to tell you some good news. Listen… I'm pregnant!" She beamed with happiness, looking every bit the blissful, rightful wife. Cassidy pulled Cadence toward the staircase. Once they were out of Zayn's sight, Cassidy whispered, "You shouldn't have come here, Cadence. Say, if something happened to both of us, who do you think Zayn would save first?" Before Cadence could answer, Cassidy suddenly reached out. She cried out and dragged Cadence down with her, making sure both of them toppled down the stairs. "Ah!" Chapter 6 The two of them tumbled down the stairs and ended up lying at the bottom. As they landed, Cassidy deliberately fell on top of Cadence. Zayn rushed over in a panic and ran straight to Cassidy's side. "Cassidy, are you okay?" he asked anxiously, his face filled with worry. "Zayn, it hurts so much… " Cassidy cried with tears streaming down her face. She looked broken and very pitiful. Immediately, Zayn turned to look at Cadence with murderous rage. "What are you doing? You knew Cassidy was pregnant, and you still pushed her! Were you trying to kill her and the baby? "I'm warning you! If anything happens to Cassidy or the baby in her belly, I won't forgive you!" After spitting those harsh words, Zayn quickly lifted Cassidy into his arms. "I'll take you to see the doctor. Our baby will be fine!" He walked away without so much as a backward glance. Therefore, he didn't see the patch of red that was slowly spreading beneath Cadence. As Cadence felt the sharp pain in her lower abdomen and the wetness between her legs, her heart sank to her stomach. "My baby!" she cried inwardly in anguish. Two nurses rushed over and quickly helped Cadence into a hospital room. Coincidentally, the attending physician was Penny. "Ms. Lacroix, you…" Penny was startled and quickly began her examination and administered emergency treatment. But in the end, she could only lower her hands helplessly. "Ms. Lacroix, the baby is gone. It was a girl." In a daze, Cadence recalled something Zayn had once said. Once upon a time, with doting eyes full of nothing but love, he had said to her tenderly, "One day, we'll have a daughter. She'll definitely look like you, and I'll give her the best of everything in the world." Now, the child they had once dreamed of had come. But sadly, the two of them were no longer who they used to be. Lying in the hospital bed, Cadence shook her head gently with tears streaming down her face. "It's okay. Maybe this is for the best." Even if she had given birth to this child, she wouldn't have been able to stay by her side. Given how much Zayn hated her now, how could he possibly love a child who looked like her? Rather than letting the child suffer in this world, it was better for her to have never been born. In her heart, Cadence murmured, "Wait for me, my dear child. I'm coming soon. We'll reunite on the other side." Penny continued, "The miscarriage has damaged your health even further. I don't think you'll be able to walk after this." And so, Cadence returned home in a wheelchair. Thanks to Cadence cushioning the fall, Cassidy hadn't been seriously injured. Her baby was safe. Perhaps it was because of this incident that Zayn felt sorry for her. So, when she asked Zayn for a wedding, he agreed after only a brief hesitation. In the two days that followed, Cassidy's social media was filled with updates about wedding preparations. She announced her upcoming marriage to Zayn and posted nine photos in a row. They were all photos of her trying on different wedding dresses. Cadence's hand trembled slightly, but she regained her composure soon after. With steady fingers, she tapped on the "Like" button for that post. It was as if Cassidy had been waiting for just that. She texted Cadence immediately. Cassidy wrote, "Which wedding dress do you think looks best on me? You're my sister. I trust your taste. Why don't you pick one for me?" Cadence paused for a moment. Then, she replied with just three words, "The first one." That was the one Zayn had once said looked beautiful on her. Back when she and Zayn had been planning their own wedding, he had accompanied her to try on every gown in the shop eagerly. No matter which gown she put on, he had smiled and told her that she looked beautiful. At that time, his eyes overflowed with admiration and love. He had knelt on one knee while holding up a diamond ring, promising her the grandest wedding for the woman he loved. But those days were long gone. Zayn would give the person he loved the grandest wedding like he once promised… But the bride wouldn't be her. Cadence turned off her phone and curled up in a corner of the bed, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. Chapter 7 Zayn and Cassidy's wedding finally happened amid great anticipation. Fate seemed to be playing a joke on Cadence. The day of their grand celebration happened to be the day she had chosen to leave this world. Early that morning, Zayn and Cassidy joyfully headed to the church with a crowd of merry guests. Before leaving, Zayn looked at Cadence with a complicated expression and asked coldly, "Today is my and Cassidy's big day. Don't you have anything to say?" Cadence looked at Zayn. However, his face had become blurry due to her failing eyesight. She responded in a calm tone, "I wish you both will live long and enjoy a lifetime of happiness." At the end of the day, one was the man she loved, and the other was her younger sister. Cadence's wish was genuine—it came straight from her heart. But Zayn only found her demeanor unbearably irritating. He sneered coldly, "How hypocritical!" With that, he left the villa without looking back and left Cadence alone. That was just what she wanted. This would allow her to finish everything quietly and walk the final stretch of her life in peace. She lit a fire in the fireplace and tossed all her personal belongings into it, destroying them all. Next, she reviewed all the assets under her name and wrote out several checks. She donated everything to various charitable organizations. After she was done, she wheeled herself to the front gate and called a taxi. She headed to the hospital where her euthanasia would be carried out. Her serene demeanor betrayed no sign that this would be a one-way trip. Zayn and Cassidy's wedding was streamed live from start to finish. Before the procedure, Cadence couldn't help but take a peek at their live stream. In the church, Zayn's friends and family had gathered in celebration. The priest stood before the happy couple as a witness. Cheerfully, Zayn and Cassidy exchanged rings and shared a sweet kiss. If not for that incident, Cadence and Zayn might have also had a joyous wedding and raised a family together. This was the future that she couldn't give him. She would let Cassidy fulfill it instead. "I'm ready." Cadence silently turned off the live stream and lay down on the operating table. Every part of her body ached faintly. Her voice was as light and almost breathless. But the doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lacroix. We can't begin just yet. We require a signed consent from immediate family members for a full-body donation. Hence, we must notify your relatives and obtain their written signatures." Cadence frowned weakly. "This is my body. Can't I decide for myself?" The doctor looked troubled. "It's a legal requirement. We have to follow the procedure." They hadn't anticipated that someone would arrive alone to undergo euthanasia without any family present. "Then call the second contact in my phone. She's my biological sister, Cassidy Lacroix," Cadence said. The nurse nodded and swiftly dialed the number as Cadence instructed. However, she didn't notice that she had accidentally tapped on the first contact instead. "Wait…" Cadence tried to stop her, but the call had already connected. She pressed her lips together and glanced at the nurse. Her eyes revealed a sense of longing that she herself hadn't even noticed. This was the last time she would hear his voice. Meanwhile, Zayn was pouring champagne with Cassidy amidst the cheers from the guests. As the liquid flowed down the tower of glasses, Zayn felt oddly unsettled because Cadence still hadn't contacted him. Just then, his phone rang, dispelling the unease in his chest. He smirked and answered, "Who is this?" "Hello, Ms. Lacroix is currently at the hospital undergoing a euthanasia procedure. We need a family member to sign the full-body organ donation consent form. Would you please come by now?" Euthanasia? Zayn frowned hard upon hearing that word. Cadence had always cherished herself, as well as her life and body. Back when they were together, she was obsessed with maintaining good health and always said she wanted to live a long, full life so she wouldn't regret coming into this world. How could someone like her willingly choose to die? Perhaps his wedding with Cassidy today had finally ticked her off. Zayn felt oddly pleased at the thought of this, but he maintained an indifferent expression. He sneered, "If she wants to die, why should I disagree? You have my consent." Next to him, Cassidy took the phone and added, "Is Cadence signing some kind of form? I'm her sister. I agree too! You have my consent as well." When Zayn wasn't paying attention, Cassidy ended the call and turned off his phone. The nurse tried to call Cadence's first two contacts again using her phone. But all she got was the monotonous voice informing her that the phone had been turned off. She sent a few messages but didn't receive any reply at all. Cadence, who was lying on the operating table, had heard every word of their conversation. The last glimmer of light in her eyes finally faded. She took out the divorce agreement she carried with her. Both she and Zayn had signed it. She had found it in the study. Her guess was that Zayn had probably planned to give it to her after the wedding. "We're already divorced. So, I don't think their signatures are required for the consent form. Am I right?" Cadence asked with finality. The doctor silently nodded. "We can begin the euthanasia now." As the cold liquid entered her veins, her consciousness gradually faded. At that moment, countless memories flashed through her mind. At night, she and Zayn lay in each other's arms, welcoming the morning sunlight together. On each anniversary, Zayn had carefully planned various surprises for her. On warm summer nights, they lay on the beach together, counting stars and dreaming of a shared future… Cadence slowly closed her eyes. A single tear slid down from the corner of her eye. "Goodbye, Zayn. I wish you a long, happy life free from obstacles. Farewell."