I was born with brittle bone disease—people used to say I was as fragile as porcelain. My boyfriend, Joshua Haine, was a pharmaceutical researcher.

When he pushed me to the ground, I held tightly to the hem of his jeans as I begged him desperately to take me to the hospital.

He irritably kicked my hand away and coldly said, "Gabriella Ackley, you took the medicine I developed. Your illness is basically cured. Quit the act. I have work to do. I just had a few words with a colleague. Was that really necessary?"

Beside him, Juliana Oringe wrapped her arm around his and pouted sweetly. "Josh, don't be so mean to your girlfriend."

I lay on the floor, feeling bones snap one after another—one even pierced my lung. It was getting harder to breathe. With trembling fingers, I dialed 911.

"Josh, come on. We'll be late for the group meeting. I still have a few things I need your help with," Juliana said, tugging him away in a hurry.

I'd lost count of how many times he'd ignored me in the name of "research."

Time slipped away as I felt a warm trickle of blood escape the corner of my mouth. My vision began to blur when the 911 operator called back. "I'm sorry, but the road is blocked by parked cars. We're on our way—please hang on."

I wiped the tears from my eyes and sent Joshua my last message. "Thank you for curing me. It's time to return this life to you."

***

I lay still on the floor. If not for the bloody foam at my lips, I could have been mistaken for sleeping—quiet, peaceful.

Having barely stepped outside in so long, my skin had taken on a deathly pallor, like that of a glass doll.

My lips had turned a dusky blue, yet a faint smile still graced my face.

The last few tears glistened on my face, holding all my resentment for the future.

When I saw my body lying there, I finally understood—I was dead.

Just half an hour earlier, Joshua and I had been arguing.

"Half an hour earlier, Joshua and I had been arguing again.

It wasn't the first time. Every time we were together, a call from one of his colleagues would send him rushing off."

But this time, she came straight to our door.

My boyfriend Joshua was a pharmaceutical researcher, developing a specialized treatment for brittle bone disease.

We'd known each other since we were kids.

He always knew how brittle bone disease made me vulnerable to fractures and injuries—no falls, no bumps, or I could end up with multiple broken bones.

Because of him, I'd managed to survive to the age of twenty-five.

But today, he lost his patience and pushed me to the ground.

At that moment, I heard the crack of bones breaking inside me.

When I saw him turn to leave, panic rose in my chest.

I grabbed the hem of his pants, fighting back sobs. "Joshua, I think I've broken bones. Can you drop me off at the hospital on your way?"

He glanced down at me, then kicked my hand away. "Gabriella, you took the medicine I developed. Your illness is basically cured. Quit the act. I have work to do. I just had a few words with a colleague. Was that really necessary?

"You just fell, not got hit by a car. Always making scenes over nothing. It's annoying."

I strained to lift my head and look at him, forcing a weak smile before pulling out my phone to dial 911.

Joshua watched me with clear disgust in his eyes. "Still putting on a performance."

Juliana, standing beside him, wrapped her arm around his neck and purred, "Josh, come on, we're going to be late for the group meeting. And I still have so many questions I need your help with."

The front door slammed shut behind him, leaving me completely alone in the house.

I lay on the floor, afraid to move a muscle. In the suffocating silence, all I could hear was the steady tick of the clock—like a countdown to the end of my life.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and I swallowed hard, each movement an effort.

Everything around me flickered in and out of focus, and my breathing grew harder with every passing second.

Then came the ambulance crew's voice over the phone. "I'm sorry, but the road is blocked by parked cars. We're on our way—please hang on."

Despair washed over me. I called Joshua again.

Maybe if I reached him now, it wouldn't be too late.

He picked up, but before I could speak, his angry voice cut through the line. "Can you stop calling me? I'm at work! Just take a taxi to the hospital. You're not some fragile glass doll anymore—stop acting like a kid who can't stand on their own."

I swallowed the blood in my mouth, my voice barely a whisper. "The ambulance won't get here on time... Could you come back and pick me up?"

All I heard from the other end was his cold, unfeeling tone. "Is it really going to kill you if the ambulance is late? Don't you get how busy I am? And it's all for you anyway!"

I tried calling again, but this time, he didn't answer.

"The number you're calling isn't available right now. Please try again later."

A bitter laugh escaped me, and a gush of blood followed.

In the past, whenever I got hurt, he'd always be the first to rush me to the hospital—panic written all over his face.

"Ella, don't be scared—it's just a fracture. I'll pad that spot with extra cotton so you won't bump into it again."

To cure my illness, he devoted his entire life to pharmaceutical research.

When we were young, he once promised me earnestly, "Ella, once you're fully healed, I'll take you out to explore.

"That way, you'll be able to run freely, and we'll see all the great landscapes together."

But in the end, he broke that promise.

I laughed through my tears—we'd truly been so happy back then.

I'd thought that happiness would last forever.

But as my condition gradually improved, Joshua's attitude toward me started to change.

He spent all his time in the lab, and the time he spent with me grew fewer and fewer.

I told myself his research must be at a critical stage, and that I should be there to ease his burden.

No matter what time he came home, I waited for him without a single complaint.

I'd warm up a glass of milk for him and make his bed the second he came home.

I forced myself to ignore the lipstick stain on his collar, to pretend I didn't notice the perfume scent that wasn't mine clinging to his skin.

But the truth kept staring me down—this was nothing but self-deception.

That night, he was in the shower when the phone rang. On instinct, I answered it, thinking it was mine.

"Josh, I can't fall asleep without you next to me tonight.

"What's the point of going home anyway? Ella's so fragile—she won't even let you touch her. But I know all sorts of tricks... I'll show you next time.

"Josh, why aren't you saying anything?"

By the time I realized what I'd done, I'd already ended the call.

My whole body trembled uncontrollably.

That tone—he wasn't just talking to a colleague from the same lab.

They weren't discussing work at all; they were flirting.

Maybe all those countless nights, while I waited alone in this empty house, he was with another woman.

I'd called his mom several times to pour out my troubles, but her words only made me face a harsh truth.

"Ella, come on—he's a man, you have to understand.

"And if you two break up, where can you even go?"

She was right. If I left him, where would I go?

I had nowhere to live, no ability to work outside, and no family or friends at all.

I was just like a glass doll—one that needed someone to carefully cherish and polish.

I knew long ago he didn't love me anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to leave.

A month ago, I was doing housework when I accidentally bumped my arm and hurt it.

I rushed to call him right away, but all he said was, "Go to the hospital on your own."

I'd been to the orthopedics department more times than I could count.

Once, he'd always been by my side—helping me register, pay the fees, pick up my medicine, and making me feel safe every step of the way.

But this time, he didn't even call to check on me.

When I got back from the hospital with a cast, he was on his phone, chatting happily with someone else.

I stood blankly at the door, staring at him.

He said half-heartedly, "I'm talking to a colleague about work. Go rest on your own."

I lay quietly on the bed, using my good hand to open his Instagram. "Work is tiring, but I'm lucky to have you by my side."

The photo showed them smiling at each other, their eyes locked in a way that made it clear they saw only one another.

They truly loved each other.

It hit me then that I'd never taken a picture like that with Joshua.

Not long after, Joshua climbed into bed behind me and wrapped his arms around my back quietly.

He must've noticed me staring at that Instagram post because he explained nonchalantly, "Don't misunderstand, she's just a friend. If she weren't, I wouldn't risk showing it to you, right?"

I nodded. "I did not misunderstand. I believe you."

I was calm, but really, it was like my heart had gone numb.

Still, I comforted him as usual.

"You don't have to work so hard. I'd rather you came home earlier. You could stay late less often..."

Before I could finish, he pulled his arms away and cut me off coldly. "Enough. Work's already stressing me out. I don't need your lecturing at home. What else can you do besides nag?

"Other men's wives help out—handle the house, even bring in money. But you? You can't even do chores without hurting yourself, and you waste money all the time.”

I didn't say a word. Just pressed my lips together, a wave of hurt washing over me.

He was right, wasn't he?

Maybe he regretted it—regretted bringing me home in the first place.

He must've realized what he'd said, because he softened his voice. "I'm working this hard for you, aren't I? If I finish the experiments sooner, we might get that new drug for brittle bone disease faster."

A sharp pain shot through me—physical agony snapping me back from the memories to the present.

The emergency services called again. "Please stay calm and don't move. Our ambulance is on the way—you have to hold on."

Twenty minutes had gone by, and still no ambulance, not even the siren could be heard.

My heartbeat was slowing down with every second.

I bit my lip until it bled—just to stay awake. I didn't know how much longer I could keep going.

Holding on to what little sanity I had left, I sent Joshua one last message. "Thank you for healing me. It's time I gave this life back to you."

As the message went through, I felt my soul lift slowly from my body.

Soon after, I found myself standing beside Joshua.

He was focused on writing an experiment report when Juliana threw herself onto his back, cooing and acting cute. "Josh, there's a part of my report I can't figure out. Will you help me, please?"

He nodded gently, set down his papers, and tapped her nose. "Which part? I'll walk you through it."

Then he lifted Juliana onto his lap, holding her close as he guided her through it.

Suddenly, Joshua got a call from the hospital.

"Are you a family member of Gabriella? I'm sorry, but our rescue efforts weren't successful. Could you please come and handle the funeral arrangements for the patient?"

Joshua didn't even reply; he just hung up.

"Typical Gabriella, trying to trick me again. She's too scared to even leave the house. This is the only little game she knows how to play to get me to come home."

When the phone rang again, Joshua clicked his tongue in annoyance and ended the call.

Then he went into his settings, blocked the number, and deleted it.

He tossed his phone aside and turned back to Juliana to continue their conversation.

Several colleagues nearby watched the two of them being affectionate, their faces showing clear displeasure.

Right at this moment, Daniel Ebrey, one of his coworkers, couldn't take it anymore. He turned around to face Juliana and said in disgust, "You don't know how to do anything—I have no idea how you even got into this lab. All you do is fool around every day in the lab; it's disgusting."

Joshua heard him. He stood up and shot back, "Mind your own business! I'm not bothering you. Just focus on your own work."

Juliana hid behind Joshua, gently pulling his arm. "Josh, don't get angry. He's right. I really am wrong. Let's just take a step back for now. Come find me once you've sorted things out with Ella."

Wiping her tears and covering her mouth, she dashed out of the lab.

Joshua shot Daniel a hostile glare before hurrying after Juliana in a fluster.

The few remaining colleagues in the lab murmured among themselves. "What a shame for Gabriella. She wasted all those years on that jerk."

"Seriously. I wonder how Joshua plans to handle their situation now."

Seeing Joshua's deeply furrowed brow and troubled expression... I desperately wanted to tell him, "Don't bother sorting things out with me anymore. I'm already gone. You're free."

Joshua drew Juliana into his arms and gently patted her back.

Juliana looked up at him tearfully from his embrace. Her expression was pitiful as she asked, "Josh, when you pushed Ella like that earlier... do you think she got hurt? She called you several times."

But Joshua remained completely unfazed. "Don't worry about her. It was just a little fall. What could possibly happen? She's just jealous, pulling that same old pity act."

Hearing this, Juliana shifted slightly in his arms. "Oh, really? Well, if you say so, Josh, then I suppose I shouldn't feel guilty."

Joshua dried Juliana's tears and gently stroked her head. "Why feel guilty? She's nothing like you—you're so understanding and capable. All she does is mope around the house over nothing."

After a moment's hesitation, he pulled out his phone anyway. He glanced at the message I sent earlier and chuckled softly as he typed.

"Have you had enough of your games? Are you actually hurt? Want me to come by the hospital?"

Juliana leaned over to peek at the message, then said plaintively, "Josh, if you're going to see Ella at the hospital, you should hurry."

She then nudged Joshua toward the parking lot.

But they'd only gone a short distance when Juliana suddenly cried out, "Ah!"

She crouched down, clutching her ankle in pain as she fought back her tears.

"Ana, did you twist your ankle? Come sit down over here."

Joshua immediately helped her to a nearby spot to sit, gently removed her high heels, and began carefully massaging her ankle.

Juliana tried to pull her foot back and pushed at Joshua. "Josh, you should go check on Ella first. I'll be fine after a little rest."

"No, she can manage on her own. But you—you've hurt your ankle and can barely walk. Get on my back; I'll carry you home," Joshua replied.

With that, he turned around and hoisted Juliana onto his back in one smooth motion.

Juliana shyly buried her face against his neck, unable to conceal the triumphant look on her face.

As they arrived back at the lab, they overheard colleagues talking nearby.

"Did you hear? Someone with brittle bone disease just died at the hospital next door."

"I think the last name was... Ackley."

Joshua's heart lurched, and he stopped dead in his tracks.