The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 27

The hospital room was filled with the sharp scent of antiseptic. Ryan Bennett lay still on the bed, his face as pale as paper. Though the wound on his abdomen had been bandaged, his frail appearance was still heartbreaking.

Joanna Taylor sat by his bedside, her eyes clouded with complex emotions. A towel in her hand, she occasionally dabbed at the cold sweat on Ryan's forehead. For days, she had stayed by his side, tending to him with unwavering care. From the initial heart-stopping terror to the current relative calm, her heart had weathered countless storms.

The memory of that moment on the cliff flashed through her mind—Ryan plunging the dagger into himself without hesitation, just to give her a chance to live. That act of self-sacrifice had moved her deeply.

A month passed, and Ryan's condition gradually improved. That day, he mustered the strength to sit up and looked at Joanna, his voice soft.

"Joanna, thank you for taking care of me all this time. I have something for you."

With that, he asked his assistant to bring two boxes. Joanna took them hesitantly, and when she opened them, tears blurred her vision.

One box held the ashes of their daughter, Lily, while the other contained Grandma Wilson's remains.

"I know how much these mean to you," Ryan said, his voice weary. "I didn't hire anyone. I searched the entire mountain myself—just to return them to you intact."

Joanna's hands trembled as she clutched the boxes, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Ryan, lips parting, but no words came.

This gesture had touched the deepest, softest part of her heart. All the resentment and bitterness she once held against him suddenly seemed insignificant.

Ryan's gaze softened as he watched her.

"Joanna, I truly thank heaven for giving me another chance to prove my love for you."

"I've regretted it countless times—why I didn't cherish you, why I didn't cherish our family. But I have no answers."

"Even now, I still don't want to let you go. How pathetic, isn't it?"

Joanna's emotions churned. She didn't know how to face him anymore. Looking at Ryan, she felt both familiarity and strangeness.

What lingered in her mind were the moments she had shared with Sean Yates—the companionship, the understanding. That was the love she truly wanted. She knew, deep down, that her feelings for Sean had taken root long ago, without her even realizing it.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head, determination shining in her eyes.

"Ryan, I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for me. I'll never forget this kindness."

"But we can't go back. The one I love is Sean."

"I once thought that after being hurt, I'd never love again. But in life-and-death moments, just as you thought of me, my heart only held Sean."

Ryan seemed wounded by her words, falling silent for a long while. Finally, he gave a bitter smile.

"I understand. I think I always knew this would be the outcome."

"These past days, I've been thinking—if only I had trusted you more back then, maybe our family would still be whole."

"If I had cared more for Lily, she wouldn't have died such a tragic death."

"I was an irresponsible husband. An irresponsible father."

"But I realized it too late. I've already lost everything I could lose."

"Do you remember our dream with Lily? To see the aurora together? When I was a child, my father always demanded I be first in everything. Once, I fell sick and came in second. He locked me in a dark room."

"Back then, I imagined all kinds of light in my mind. I swore I'd love my child and give them all the light in the world."

"But I broke that promise."

Joanna stayed silent.

Some things could never be undone.