His irritation didn't last long - Wendy called, and her gentle voice instantly softened his expression.

"I know, yeah, it's fine. I'll be done soon. Get some sleep."

The same James who'd blow up at me for "interrupting his work" was perfectly calm taking her calls.

Turns out it wasn't about being interrupted - it was about who was doing the interrupting.

When he returned, there was a smile in his eyes, his whole demeanor relaxed.

Suddenly, I couldn't wait for the day he discovered I was dead.

Back at work, James bent over my body, his eyelashes lowered as he carefully cleaned away the blood.

Looking at my wounds, both large and small, a flash of sympathy crossed his face.

I gazed at my battered body and sighed.

Oh, Caroline, did it hurt?

The memories right before death were already fuzzy. All I could remember was the robber's twisted face as he brought down the knife again and again, and that final rejected call.

I still couldn't understand how someone like me - who'd tear up from a paper cut - had found the courage to tackle an armed robber.

As the blood was cleaned away, I heard James touch my arm and mutter with a frown, "So thin."

But unlike my thin frame, my belly showed a slight bump.

When James noticed it while cleaning, clear disbelief flashed in his eyes.

Recently, we'd been fighting non-stop about Wendy. After finding out I was pregnant, I hadn't told him - I'd planned to get an abortion alone.

But I never got the chance.

James's shock lasted only a moment before relief washed over his face.

I watched coldly as he relaxed.

What, convinced it couldn't be me now?

When I first met James, he was the unapproachable star on campus.

Every few days, people would gossip about who could win over this "perfect catch," often mocking me - the fool who'd been pining after him for a year.

Everyone bet on Wendy, but surprisingly, James chose me.

When James confessed to me, I thought my persistence had finally touched his heart.

Back then, he seemed flawless - he'd rush over with my favorite cupcakes whenever I felt down, always accommodated my wishes, and included me in all his future plans.

My classmates would say I'd struck gold.