Chapter 1: Can't Live Beyond Ten Months

On September 7, 2019, Nora Foster received a thunderbolt of news on what seemed like an ordinary day. "Mrs. Hayes, your gastric cancer has reached an advanced stage. Without timely treatment, you may not live beyond ten months. Please prepare yourself mentally." Nora couldn't believe it; a routine check-up had brought her so close to the brink of the afterlife. She had only ten months left in her life. She steadied her breath, took out her phone from her pocket, and pressed the speed dial. "Austin, where are you? Will you come home for dinner tonight? If you do, I'll go buy groceries now. I'll ask the housekeeper to teach me how to make your favorite dish." For a long time, there was no response. Nora bit her dry lips, and uncontrollable tears rolled down into her hands. On the other end, a cold response came, "No, I have a social engagement tonight, and besides, you don't know how to cook." The phone beeped a few times and then disconnected. Nora withdrew her disappointment, took a deep breath, and walked out of the hospital. She shouldn't have expected much of a response from Austin Hayes. In their five years of marriage, she had dutifully played the role of Austin's wife, but his thoughts were not on her. She should have been content. Even if Austin didn't love her, accompanying her until the end of her life would be without regrets because she was incapable of everything, and Austin had taken care of her for five years. Returning home, the desolate air made Nora shiver. She still ate alone, watched TV alone, slept alone, in this mansion that belonged to her and Austin. But most of the time, she was alone. She had grown accustomed to this loneliness, and it had become less frightening. However, at this moment, she felt panicked. She was afraid that after ten months, there would be no one to take care of Austin. She feared that after her death, Austin would marry someone else. There would always be someone to replace her as Mrs. Hayes. Feeling the bed sink, Nora, in a daze, realized that a cold body was pressed against hers. She knew it was Austin. Immediately, she threw herself into his embrace. Austin held her waist without any caress and entered her body. She suddenly became clear-headed. Unable to see Austin's face, she could feel his intense presence. If there was one thing they were perfectly matched in, it was sex. They derived intense pleasure from it. "Austin, I want a child." Nora felt a sense of relief after saying this. At least, when she was not around, there would be a child to accompany Austin. "You said you didn't want children. Why suddenly change your mind?" Austin said coldly. Nora turned her head, and what caught her eye was a sharply defined handsome face. The man's profound eyes pierced through the dim light and met hers. "I like children. Give me one," she said. Austin immediately lost interest, pulled himself out of her body, wiped himself with a tissue. He didn't have much emotion towards her. "I married you at your father's suggestion, but I never thought of letting you have my child," he said coldly. "Don't say this again. Just be Mrs. Hayes peacefully and don't make me lose interest in you." Nora lowered her gaze, as if a crack had opened in her heart. She knew Austin didn't love her, but she had loved him for thirteen years. How was she supposed to conclude this love? "Is it because of her?" she asked. Austin paused, his eyes icy. "Aria," Nora added.