Chapter One

Garrick Voss, my husband and the current head of the Voss family, had told me more than once that I was too domineering and never knew when to back down.

My parents thought I lacked compassion. Even my own daughter, Aria, had openly told me that she liked Daphne Laurent more than she liked me.

If everyone believed Daphne deserved everything more than I did, then I would give it all to her during the final three days of my life.

My status, my wealth, and the family I had once fought so hard to protect.

---

"Mrs. Voss, your cardiomyopathy has reached a critical stage. Your heart function is deteriorating rapidly. You must undergo a heart transplant within the next three days, or you could lose your life at any moment."

Dr. Emily's words still echoed in my ears.

For seven years, I had believed that Garrick and I would grow old together.

Then Daphne came along, and everything changed.

The bedroom door opened, and Garrick walked in.

A strange perfume lingered on his clothes. It wasn't any fragrance I had ever worn.

"How are you feeling?"

"Still alive."

He either didn't catch the sarcasm in my voice or simply didn't care.

He picked up the medical report Dr. Emily had left on the table and casually flipped through a few pages.

It was only a brief summary of my condition.

It stated that my heart function was deteriorating, but said nothing about how rapidly it was failing. It certainly didn't mention that I had only three days left to live.

I had always asked Emily to keep those details from him because I didn't want him to worry.

But who would have thought...

"Emily told me the hospital currently has only one suitable donor heart available."

Garrick closed the report, his tone perfectly calm.

"Daphne's heart rejection has been getting worse lately. Compared to her, she needs this surgery more."

I looked up at him.

"So you're planning to give her the transplant?"

Garrick didn't answer immediately.

But his silence told me everything I needed to know.

Daphne was the girl I had begged my parents to adopt from an orphanage when I was ten years old.

From the moment she joined our family, I had treated her like my own younger sister.

I took her to family gatherings, shared my favorite things with her, and whenever she ran into trouble, I was always the first to step in and help.

I had never imagined that one day, she would become a shadow I could never escape.

"Her condition is worse than yours."

Garrick finally spoke.

"Your test results show that although there's something wrong with your heart, it hasn't completely lost its function yet. Can't you still move around normally? Just wait a little longer. You'll be fine."

I almost laughed.

To keep the excruciating pain caused by my heart condition under control, I had to take painkillers on a strict schedule every day.

Whenever their effects wore off, it felt as though countless shards of broken glass were slicing through my chest again and again. Even breathing became torture.

But in their eyes, I was still the same Vivian who was always strong and never needed anyone to worry about her.

"All right."

I nodded gently.

Garrick's tense shoulders visibly relaxed.

"I knew you'd understand. In the past, you always argued with me over things like this. I'm glad you've finally matured."

Mature?

I couldn't be bothered to argue anymore.

He had only ever seen the version of my medical condition that made it convenient for him to put Daphne first, time and time again.

As long as I stopped fighting for the things that should have belonged to me, he was satisfied.

That evening, I returned to the Voss family estate.

"Mom!"

The moment Aria saw me, she immediately hid behind Daphne.

I stopped in the entryway and forced a smile.

"Aria, did you have a good day?"

"It was okay."

She lowered her head and turned back to her toys.

Daphne was sitting in the middle of the living room, wearing the dress I had given her last month.

"Vivian."

She smiled as she greeted me.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Much better."

I looked at her.

"Daphne, I have something for you."

I went upstairs, retrieved a folder, and placed it in front of her.

Inside was the ownership transfer agreement for Lumina Gallery.

The smile on Daphne's face instantly froze.

"You're giving me the gallery?"

"Yes. You've always loved that place, haven't you? Starting today, you can take over its management and operations."

That gallery was something I had built from the ground up.

At first, it had been nothing more than an abandoned old warehouse.

Over the years, I had personally selected every piece in its collection and gradually built its exhibition and management systems. It was the achievement I had been most proud of since reaching adulthood.

But now, I no longer had the strength to hold on to it.

Daphne hesitated, making no move to take the folder.

"But... that's your life's work. How could I possibly accept it?"

"Consider it an engagement gift I'm giving you in advance."

A flicker of panic crossed her eyes before she quickly replaced it with an innocent expression.

"Vivian, have you misunderstood something?"

I leaned slightly toward her and lowered my voice.

"I know about you and Garrick. Don't worry. I won't hold it against you anymore."

All the color drained from her face.

Just then, Garrick walked into the living room.

"What are you two talking about?"

Daphne immediately picked up the folder, her eyes quickly filling with tears.

"Vivian says she wants to give me the gallery. I honestly don't know how to thank her..."

Garrick looked at me, seemingly searching my face for a reasonable explanation.

"Vivian, are you sure you want to do this?"

I didn't answer him.

Instead, I turned to Aria.

"Go to bed early tonight, okay?"

"Okay."

Aria responded absentmindedly before reaching for Daphne's hand.

"Daphne Mommy, we haven't finished playing our game yet!"

At that moment, it felt as though an invisible hand had clamped around my heart, squeezing so hard that I could barely breathe.

After returning to the bedroom, I closed the door.

Only then did I finally lose the strength to hold myself up. I slid down against the door and collapsed onto the floor.

A wave of excruciating pain surged from deep within my chest.

I opened the drawer, took out my medicine bottle, and swallowed two painkillers.

Once the pain had eased slightly, I managed to get back on my feet and began sorting through the things in my dressing room.

The evening gowns, jewelry, and precious accessories I had treasured for years would soon belong to Daphne.

I stared at my pale, haggard reflection in the mirror.

"Just hold on for three more days, Vivian."

If what they wanted was a gentle, forgiving woman who would never fight back...

Then I would give them exactly that.