Chapter 3

As long as the killers hadn't found and destroyed my phone, Ethan would know I was dead the moment he called.

But after a few seconds, he swiped his finger to cancel the call. He let out a cold smirk. "Playing hard to get again, Clara? Let’s see how long you can hold out before you come crawling back to beg."

"But even if you get down on your knees and beg Chloe for forgiveness this time, I won't forgive you."

I smiled bitterly.

He had no idea that I was already dead.

Even if I wanted to apologize, I couldn't.

And why did he think his affair was so justified? He used my heart to save his mistress, yet he expected me to apologize to him indefinitely.

I had tolerated him for too long, letting him stomp all over my dignity without a shred of respect.

I screamed at him in rage, but he couldn't hear me.

Soon, Ethan arrived at the hospital. In the private suite, I saw a pale, fragile Chloe.

Seeing Ethan, her eyes lit up. She tried to reach out to him but accidentally tumbled from the bed, coughing violently.

Ethan rushed forward, catching her in his arms. He didn't care about the spit and grime on her hospital gown as he gently lifted her back onto the bed.

Watching this, a familiar ache pierced my dead heart.

During our marriage, Ethan barely let me touch him. I always thought he had a severe case of OCD and hated physical contact.

But now, looking at how he held her, I realized his OCD was selective. He just didn't want to touch me.

Ethan gently wiped Chloe’s mouth and said softly, "I’m sorry, Chloe. A brutal murder case came up at the precinct, and I had to focus on the investigation."

Chloe sighed. "If even you—the legend of the forensics department—find it difficult, I can't imagine how horrific the case must be."

Hearing this, Ethan told her everything about the autopsy.

When he mentioned that the victim’s heart was missing, Chloe instinctively touched her own chest.

"Ethan... do you think... it could be the one inside me?"

Ethan froze for a second, then pulled her into a tight hug.

"Don't overthink it, Chloe. The world isn't that small. Besides, I obtained this heart through legitimate medical channels. It can't possibly belong to that victim."

Chloe nodded happily, believing his lies.

"Okay. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. I’ll believe anything you say."

Ethan smiled tenderly, nodding.

They stared into each other's eyes, dripping with affection.

Then, a shadow of worry crossed Chloe’s face.

Ethan asked, "What's wrong, Chloe?"

"Your wife is terrifying. We were just hugging after not seeing each other for so long, and she tried to kill me."

"Why did you even marry someone like her? Will she come back to hurt me again?"

Ethan’s face darkened with anger. "She’s just a petty, narrow-minded woman who can't stand me having any contact with you. But don't worry, it won't happen again. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Chloe's eyes lit up. "Ethan, does that mean..."

After a few seconds of silence, a look of resolve settled in Ethan's eyes. "Once she comes back, I’m divorcing her."

"Really?!"

Ethan looked at Chloe with pure adoration and nodded.

Then, they leaned in for a deep kiss.

When they pulled apart, Ethan pulled out his phone, found my contact info, and deleted it without hesitation.

I stood there, dazed.

He was actually divorcing me for Chloe.

Our three-year marriage had officially come to an end.

But since I was already dead, he would probably be thrilled. At least he wouldn't have to go through the legal hassle of a divorce.

Suddenly, Ethan's phone rang.

He whispered a few comforting words to Chloe before stepping out of the room to answer it.

Detective Carter’s urgent voice came through the speaker.

"Ethan, have you heard from Clara yet?"

Hearing my name, Ethan frowned. "Detective, this is my personal life. I—"

"I’m not trying to meddle in your marriage, Ethan," Detective Carter interrupted, his voice grave. "We just got a lead on the victim's missing heart."

"And it’s highly likely connected to your wife, Clara."