From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 190

Remy’s next words were barely more than a whisper, soft and low, just for me.

My head was spinning. I was furious at all the secrets and lies, but underneath that, I was devastated—he really might not have much time left.

Maybe that’s just how life is. You take too much and eventually you pay for it, sometimes with everything you have.

I called a cab and slid into the back seat next to Remy. I kept a space between us—just wide enough for a person, but it felt like a canyon that nothing could cross.

The anesthesia must’ve been working, because Remy didn’t look like he was in pain anymore. He seemed a little steadier, and after hesitating a few times, he finally spoke up.

“Avery, do you get it now? Why I never touched you once in five years of marriage? You never read my journals, did you? It’s fine. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Someday, when the time is right, I’ll tell you everything myself.

But right now, I need you to know this: no matter what happens, don’t hate me. Everything I did was to protect you. This—what’s happened to me—it’s my own fault. I deserve it. But you, you’re so pure, so clear, like a perfect crystal. My death doesn’t matter, but you have to go on living clean and untainted.

You have no idea how hard it was for me on those nights I wanted you so badly. How much I wanted to take the risk, to hold you, kiss you, make love to you—no matter how many precautions I’d need to take.

But I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk your life, not even once. I was terrified that if I lost that gamble, I’d never forgive myself—not even in another life. Avery, I love you, and in this life, this is all I can give you. Next time around, I’ll make you mine. I’m not asking for forgiveness. Just, please, don’t hate me.”

So that was it.

He’d known—or at least suspected—that he had HIV. He kept his distance from me, not because he didn’t care, but because he wanted to protect me.

If that’s what he meant by protecting me, I couldn’t really argue with it.

But was that really all there was to it?

Somehow, it felt like there was more to the story.

“For five years, every month, I went abroad. I was working with a top research group. I just hope we find a cure soon. Maybe I’ll live to see it.”

The look in Remy’s eyes was pure hopelessness.

Until now, I’d hated him—for lying, for drawing me in and then pushing me away.

But now, with the truth finally out in the open, I found I couldn’t hate him anymore. I just felt this deep, impossible regret.

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