Nathan,unusually,went to the prison to see me.
Learning I'd been released early,he asked the warden,bewildered,"Sara's out?She didn't come to me.Where could she have gone?"
When the warden told Caleb about Nathan’s visit,his voice was filled with scorn."Who's he fooling with that devastated act?Didn't visit his wife once in three years,wouldn't even sign for her medical parole."

I sighed.
Nathan's arrogance never let him imagine that one day I,the wife he'd manipulated so easily,would choose to leave him.
Funny thind is,I'd analyzed the thoughts of hundreds but failed to see that the husband I trusted no longer loved me.
Nathan's accusatory call came to Caleb's phone while I was feeding a stray cat.
"Is Sara with you?Put her on the phone!"
Caleb cursed him as a scumbag and handed me the phone.

"Nathan,sign the divorce papers.Let's get things done soon."
I thought I was calm,but Nathan mistook it for an act to win him back.He chuckled."Sara,if you want to see me,just say it.No need for these games to get my attention."
I gave a bitter smile."Nathan,believe it or not,I wish you and Evelyn a lifetime of happiness."
Suddenly I felt that all the strength left in me was gone,the phone slipping from my hand as burning pain consumed my stomach.

My throat felt blocked,my gasps helpless.
The phone hit the floor.With all my strength,I could only choke out,"Nathan,I'm really...sick."
Caleb frantically scooped me up,searching for painkillers.
Nathan paused,then said,"Sara,faking illness for a divorce won't change the fact that I'm getting engaged to Evelyn.Let's meet and talk.I can compensate you."
But I was in too much pain to speak.
Even if I could,I didn't want to see his revolting face again.
After chemo,I started to lose my hairin clumps.
My throat and mouth,ravaged by drugs,was ulcerated,making eating impossible.
Evelyn and Nathan's engagement went smoothly.
For some reason,Nathan refused to sign the divorce papers I sent.
Their engagement ceremony was stunning.
Nathan flew in countless flowers to decorate the venue and gave Evelyn the shiny diamond ring he'd once promised me.
Evelyn told me this herself.
She somehow learned about my illness and was now standing before my frail,pale form,beaming.
She studied my pitiful state,touching her stomach happily."Sara,before meeting you,I wondered what right did you have that your life was so perfect.When Nathan worked my case,his stern face softened when you called.I envied his wife."
"But look—men always favor the fragile one.No matter how many years you had with Nathan,you're too accomplished.You overshadowed him.He needs a gentle,delicate wife like me."
Seeing her smugness,I forced a smile."But he doesn't seem to want to divorce me."
Evelyn's face darkened.She eyed my weak body and chuckled."Divorce or not,widowhood might come first."
Caleb,furious,shoved her out of the hospital room.
Evelyn didn't care,smoothing her skirt."My baby and I will attend your funeral."
I patted Caleb's hand,calming his rage."Caleb,I don't want anymore treatments."
Battling fate was too painful.
I wanted to compromise,to live my final days happily.