Outside the hospital’s intensive care unit, Shen Mo Bai lay on a hospital bed, his entire body covered in tubes and IV lines.

The doctor said he had been shot three times: once in the shoulder, once in the stomach, and once grazed his head.

The network is secure, but it needs someone to maintain it.

His mother sat by the bed, weeping and reproaching him: “Mao Bai, how could you be so foolish? You almost lost your life because of that woman!”

Shen Mo Bai weakly replied, “Mother, don’t talk like that about Lin Yan Yan… He was right in front of me, I couldn’t just stand by and watch him die.”

His mother was trembling with anger: “You’re still thinking about him? What about your wife? What about Bai Ling?”

Shen Mo Bai remained silent for a moment before saying, “Mom, call Bai Ling and tell her to come to the hospital.”

Mrs. Shen chuckled coldly, “You only remember him now?”

Shen Mo Bai said, “After all, we are husband and wife, she will come.”

His mother shook her head, but still took out her phone to call Bai Ling.

The call connected: “Hello? Bai Ling, this is Mo Bai’s mother. Your husband is in trouble, he’s at the First People’s Hospital, please come quickly!”

After hanging up, she turned to Shen Mo Bai and said, “I called, and he said he’ll be here right away.”

Shen Mo Bai closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

An hour passed… then two hours passed… Bai Ling still hadn’t arrived.

His mother called again, but the phone was switched off.

Shen Mo Bai opened his eyes and asked, “Why hasn’t Bai Ling arrived yet?”

His mother replied, “It’s switched off, I can’t get through.”

Shen Mo Bai frowned: “Why is that? Didn’t she say she’d be here soon?”

Mrs. Tham sighed, “Perhaps he doesn’t want to come.”

Shen Mo Bai shook his head: “That’s impossible, she’s my wife… my son is injured, how could she not come?”

His mother looked at him and asked sternly, “Mao Bai, have you ever been kind to Bai Ling?”

Shen Mo Bai was stunned: “Mom, what do you mean?”

She continued, “For the past three years, all you’ve had in your eyes is Lin Yanyan. Bai Ling has done so much for you, have you ever noticed?”

Shen Mo Bai said nothing.

She continued, “On the wedding day, Lin Yanyan called and said she was sick. I left Bai Ling alone at the wedding and rushed to take care of her. Bai Ling waited for me at the wedding venue for three hours.”

“On our wedding anniversary, I promised to have dinner with Bai Ling. But then Lin Yanyan said she was being harassed by her ex-boyfriend, so I left, leaving Bai Ling alone at the restaurant until closing time.”

“Bai Ling was hospitalized because of her illness, while I went to the movies with Lin Yanyan. On Bai Ling’s birthday, I went on a business trip with Lin Yanyan.”

“Mao Bai, have you forgotten all of that?”

Shen Mo Bai’s face turned pale, “But Yan Yan and I are childhood sweethearts…”

His mother sneered, “Do childhood sweethearts think they can hurt their wives?”

“Mao Bai, do you think you’re worthy of Bai Ling?”

Shen Mo Bai remained silent.

She continued, “Do you know why Bai Ling didn’t come? Because her heart died a long time ago. She’s completely disappointed in you.”

Shen Mo Bai closed his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks: “It’s impossible… she’s my wife and child…”

His mother shook her head, stood up, and said, “I’m going to buy something for you to eat.”

After saying that, his mother left the hospital room.

Shen Mo Bai lay on the bed, reminiscing about the past between him and Bai Ling.

Three years ago, on their wedding day, during the ceremony, Bai Ling wore a white wedding dress and smiled happily.

But just then, Lin Yanyan called, saying she had a high fever and felt very unwell.

Shen Mo Bai hesitated. Bai Ling looked at him and asked, “Mo Bai, what’s wrong?”

He replied, “Ling Yan is sick; I have to go see how he is.”

Bai Ling’s smile froze: “But today is our wedding day.”

Shen Mo Bai said, “I know, but Yan Yan is home alone; her parents aren’t there.”

He’ll be back soon.”

After saying that, he actually left, leaving Bai Ling standing silently alone on the stage.

The guests began whispering, “Where’s the groom?”

“I heard she’s going to take care of her childhood sweetheart.” “Poor bride!”

Bai Ling tried to hold back her tears, bowed her head before everyone, and said, “I’m sorry, the wedding will be postponed.”

Afterward, she quietly left the stage, went into the dressing room to take off her wedding dress, changed into everyday clothes, and returned home alone.

It wasn’t until midnight that Shen Mo Bai returned. Bai Ling was sitting in the living room waiting for him.

As soon as he entered the room, Shen Mo Bai said, “Bai Ling, I’m sorry.”

Bai Ling smiled softly: “It’s alright. How is Yan Yan doing?”

Shen Mo Bai replied, “He’s fine now, his fever has gone down.”

Bai Ling nodded: “That’s good then.”

Shen Mo Bai breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward and hugged her: “Thank you for understanding me.”

Bai Ling leaned against his chest, tears streaming down her face, but she remained silent.

Three years later, similar incidents kept repeating themselves.

Each time, Bai Ling would wait—waiting for Shen Mo Bai to come home, waiting for him to spend time with her, waiting for him to remember her.

But Shen Mo Bai was always absent because of Lin Yan Yan.

Until yesterday—Lin Yanyan caused trouble, offending a thug. That guy brought a group of people intending to teach her a lesson.

Shen Mo Bai called Bai Ling: “Bai Ling, Yan Yan is in danger, I have to go save him!”

Bai Ling choked up, “Mao Bai… this time… can you please not go?”

But Shen Mo Bai still said, “Yan Yan’s life is in danger; I can’t just stand by.”

Tears streamed down Bai Ling’s face: “Okay… you can go.”

Shen Mo Bai hung up the phone and immediately rushed to Lin Yan Yan’s side. The rumors were true—the thug really did have a gun.

To protect Lin Yanyan, Shen Mobai stood in front of her, taking three bullets.

Lin Yanyan was terrified, hugging him and bursting into tears: “Mo Bai, don’t scare me…!”

Shen Mo Bai forced a smile: “It’s alright, I’m fine…”

Then he fainted. When he woke up, he was in the hospital.

His first reaction was to tell his mother to call Bai Ling. He thought she would come to take care of him—after all, he was so badly injured.

But… Bai Ling didn’t come.

Shen Mo Bai lay in his hospital bed, waiting for one day, then two days, three days… but Bai Ling still didn’t come.

On the fourth day, a lawyer appeared: “Hello, Mr. Shen, I am the lawyer authorized by Bai Ling.”

“This is the divorce petition, please take a look.”

Shen Mo Bai was speechless.

“What?” — Shen Mo Bai could hardly believe his ears.

The lawyer said calmly, “Ms. Bai said she doesn’t want to wait any longer. She wants a divorce.”

Shen Mo Bai shook his head repeatedly: “That’s impossible, she wouldn’t do that!”

The lawyer placed the divorce papers on the bedside table and said, “Mr. Shen, Ms. Bai has signed them. Please review them and consider your decision.”

After saying that, he left the hospital room.

Shen Mo Bai trembled as he took the agreement, his fingers shaking slightly as he clearly saw Bai Ling’s signature at the bottom of the page.

Tears streamed down his face: “Bai Ling… do you really want to leave me?”

At that moment, his mother entered the room, and when she saw the paper on the table, her face changed color.

She picked it up to examine it, then looked at her son: “Does Bai Ling want a divorce from you?”

Shen Mo Bai nodded, tears streaming down his face: “Mother… what should I do now?”

Mrs. Tham sighed heavily: “This is all your own doing.”

She remembers everything you did to Bai Ling.

This time, the fact that her son shielded Lin Yanyan from bullets was the final straw that drove her to complete despair.”

Shen Mo Bai choked up, “But I can’t bear to see Yan Yan die in front of me.”

His mother said coldly, “Then just watch Bai Ling die in your arms. Bai, that’s your choice.”

Shen Mo Bai covered his face and cried like a child: “Mom, I was wrong…”

She just shook her head: “It’s too late.”

After being discharged from the hospital, the first thing Shen Mo Bai did was go find Bai Ling.

But the house was empty, the wardrobe was wide open with nothing inside, the dressing table was bare, and the books in the study had disappeared.

He stood silently in the bedroom, gazing at the cold house, his heart aching as if it were being cut by a knife.

He took out his phone and called Bai Ling — her phone was switched off.

I called her friends, but no one knew where she was.

Shen Mo Bai went mad, searching everywhere: to the coffee shop she usually frequented, the bookstore she liked, the park she often strolled in…

But there was no sign of her.

A month has passed, and there’s still no news.

He sat alone at home, looking at Bai Ling’s photo, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

Just then, the doorbell rang. He hurried to open it, thinking it was Bai Ling returning.

But the person standing at the door was a lawyer.

“Mr. Shen, this is a court summons. Ms. Bai has officially filed for divorce.”

Shen Mo Bai took the piece of paper, his whole body frozen in shock.

The lawyer said, “If you agree to the divorce, you can sign. If you don’t agree, then wait for the court’s decision.”

Shen Mo Bai looked at the paper in his hand, his fingers trembling: “I… I don’t agree.”

The lawyer nodded: “Okay, then we’ll proceed according to legal procedures.” After saying that, he left.

Shen Mo Bai slumped to the floor, his hand still clutching the summons, tears streaming down his face: “Bai Ling… are you really that heartless?”

Six months later, the official trial took place.

Shen Mo Bai finally reunited with Bai Ling.

She had lost a lot of weight, her hair was cut short, and she wore a simple black suit. She looked haggard, but her eyes were resolute.

The judge said, “Plaintiff, please state your reasons for the divorce.”

Bai Ling stood up, her voice calm: “Your Honor, the defendant and I have been married for three years.”

For the past three years, he has never truly put me in his heart.

On our wedding day, he left me behind to take care of another woman, leaving me alone at the ceremony.

On our wedding anniversary, he went out with someone else, leaving me alone in the restaurant all evening.”

“I was in the hospital, and he didn’t come. He wasn’t there for my birthday either.”

When I needed him most, he was never there.

Ultimately, he took three bullets to save that woman.

Your Honor, I have waited for him for three years.

I’m really tired. I don’t want to wait any longer.

Therefore, I request a divorce.”

The judge looked at Shen Mo Bai: “Defendant, do you have anything to say?”

Shen Mo Bai stood up, tears streaming down his face: “Your Honor, I was wrong. I apologize to Bai Ling.”

Over the past three years, it’s true that I neglected her, but I never intended to hurt her.

“Lin Yanyan and I are just childhood sweethearts, nothing more.”

Bai Ling looked at him, her voice trembling but firm: “Is there nothing more, Shen Mo Bai?”

So why is it that every time something happens to her, he’s the first one to rush to her side?

Why, in the three years we’ve been married, has he taken her out to eat more often than he’s taken me?

Why didn’t you bother to be there when I was sick, but when she just had a cold, you stayed home to take care of her?

“Tell me, is that what you call ‘nothing more’?”

Shen Mo Bai opened his mouth, but couldn’t utter a word.

Bai Ling continued, “Shen Mo Bai, I know—you love her.”

From beginning to end, the person he loved was always her.

He married me simply because she didn’t love him.

He needed someone by his side, and I—I was the replacement he chose.”

Shen Mo Bai shook his head: “That’s not it, Bai Ling, I’m being sincere with you.”

Bai Ling burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face: “Really, Shen Mo Bai?”

If you truly loved me, why would you leave me alone at our wedding?

If you truly love me, why do you always forget about me because of her?

If he truly loved her, why would he take three bullets for her?

Shen Mo Bai, you never loved me. From beginning to end, the only person you loved was Lin Yan Yan!

Shen Mo Bai’s tears flowed incessantly: “Bai Ling… I’m sorry.”

She lifted her head, her voice calm: “Shen Mo Bai, I just want a divorce. I want to start my own life over.”

The judge struck the gavel: “The two parties have failed to reach a settlement.”

According to the provisions of the Marriage Law, the court ruled as follows:

“The court approves the plaintiff Bai Ling’s request for divorce from the defendant Shen Mo Bai.”

Upon hearing the verdict, Shen Mo Bai was stunned: “Bai Ling! Don’t go…”

But Bai Ling stood up, took the divorce decree, turned around, and walked away without looking back.

Shen Mo Bai hurriedly chased after her: “Bai Ling, wait for me!”

She paused, turning to look at him one last time: “Shen Mo Bai, we’re divorced. From now on, don’t come looking for me again.”

After saying that, she turned her back and walked away.

Shen Mo Bai stood motionless at the courthouse gate, watching her figure disappear into the distance, his heart aching as if it were being cut by a knife.

After the divorce, Shen Mo Bai’s life was completely chaotic. He drank alcohol every day, didn’t go to work, and just locked himself in his cold house.

His mother couldn’t bear it: “Mao Bai, you can’t live like this forever!”

Shen Mo Bai replied in a hoarse voice, “Mother, I’ve lost her…”

She sighed, “That’s your own choice. Back then, you should have appreciated Bai Ling.”

Shen Mo Bai bowed his head: “I know… but it’s too late now.”

She asked, “So what are you going to do next?”

He shook his head: “I don’t know, Mom. I really don’t know what to do…”

She looked at him, her eyes filled with both pity and helplessness: “Mac Bach, I can’t help you. This is the consequence of your own actions, and you must bear the burden yourself.”

Six months later, Shen Mo Bai unexpectedly ran into Bai Ling in a shopping mall.

She was pushing a shopping cart, quietly choosing items, the light shining on her making him suddenly feel choked up and breathless.

Shen Mo Bai stepped forward: “Bai Ling…”

Bai Ling turned around and froze for a moment upon seeing him: “Shen Mo Bai?”

He asked awkwardly, “Are you… are you alright?”

Bai Ling nodded: “It’s fine.”

Shen Mo Bai looked at her for a long time, his voice choked with emotion as he said, “You’ve gotten thinner…”

Bai Ling smiled: “Is that so?”

Shen Mo Bai mustered up his courage: “Bai Ling, can we talk?”

Bai Ling shook her head: “There’s nothing more to say.”

Shen Mo Bai pleaded, “I beg you, please give me a chance…”

Bai Ling looked at him, her eyes calm: “Opportunity, Shen Mo Bai? I’ve given you three years already.”

For the past three years, I’ve been waiting—waiting for you to see me, waiting for you to appreciate me, waiting for you to love me.

But what about him? In his eyes, there has never been anyone else besides Lin Yanyan.

“I’m tired, I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Tears streamed down Shen Mo Bai’s face: “Bai Ling, I was wrong… Now I realize what I’ve lost…”

Bai Ling shook her head: “It’s too late, Shen Mo Bai. There are some things that, once missed, are forever lost.”

Just then, a man approached: “Bai Ling, have you made your choice yet?”

Bai Ling smiled: “Yes, I’ve made my choice.”

The man naturally took the shopping cart from her hands, and was stunned when he saw Shen Mo Bai.

Bai Ling introduced, “This is my ex-husband, Shen Mo Bai.”

The polite man extended his hand: “Hello, I’m Jiang Cheng, Bai Ling’s boyfriend.”

Shen Mo Bai stood frozen: “Boyfriend… boyfriend?”

Bai Ling nodded: “Yes, we’ve been together for half a year now.”

Tim felt as if a knife had been plunged into Shen Mo Bai’s heart: “Two… two people…”

Bai Ling gently replied, “Shen Mo Bai, I have a new life now. I hope you can live well too.”

After saying that, she linked arms with Jiang Cheng and left.

Shen Mo Bai stood still, watching their backs, feeling as if the whole world had gone empty.

He has truly lost the woman he loved most.

A year later, Shen Mo Bai received an invitation—a wedding invitation from Bai Ling.

He stared at the invitation, his fingers trembling: “She… she’s getting married soon…”

His mother stood beside him and asked, “Mao Bai, are you going?”

Shen Mo Bai shook his head: “I’m not going…”

She nodded: “That’s good. Let her be happy.”

Tears silently streamed down Shen Mo Bai’s face: “Mother… I regret it so much.”

His mother patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, “It’s too late to regret it now.”

But on the wedding day, Shen Mo Bai still came.

He stood outside the church, looking from afar.

Bạch Linh, in her white wedding dress, smiled happily.

Jiang Cheng stood beside her, his eyes filled with love.

Seeing that scene, Shen Mo Bai’s heart ached terribly.

He should have been the one standing beside her today.

But he was the one who destroyed everything.

After the wedding ceremony, Bai Ling and Jiang Cheng walked out.

She paused when she saw Shen Mo Bai, then walked over: “Shen Mo Bai?”

He choked up as he said, “Congratulations.”

Bai Ling smiled: “Thank you.”

He asked, “Are you… are you happy?”

Bai Ling nodded: “Very happy.”

Jiang Cheng is very good to me. He remembers my birthday, and always has dinner with me…”

“He will be there for me when I need him… This is the life I want.”

Tears welled up in Shen Mo Bai’s eyes. Bai Ling smiled: “That’s good then.”

She looked at him and said softly, “Shen Mo Bai, thank you for being indifferent to me in the past. That indifference helped me realize that I deserve something better.”

Shen Mo Bai nodded, his voice hoarse: “You deserve it.”

Bai Ling continued, “Shen Mo Bai, I hope… you will also be happy.”

Shen Mo Bai smiled, but it was a bitter smile: “It’s over, Bai Ling. For my entire life, I’ve only loved you.”

Bai Ling’s eyes were red and swollen. “Shen Mo Bai… you must live well.”

After saying that, she turned back to Jiang Cheng.
Shen Mo Bai stood silently, watching them get into the wedding car.

The car drove away, but he remained standing there—in front of the church gate—his eyes following it until it disappeared from sight.

This time… he’s truly lost her.

Two years later, Shen Mo Bai heard that Bai Ling had given birth to a baby boy.

He sat in his office, staring intently at the photo on his phone—a picture Bạch Linh had posted on her personal page.

In the photo, she is holding her son, smiling radiantly, while Jiang Cheng has his arm around her shoulder, his eyes filled with boundless tenderness.

Tears silently streamed down Shen Mo Bai’s face: “Bai Ling… you’re truly happy now. As for me, I can only stand silently and watch you from afar…”

Just then, the secretary walked in: “Mr. Shen, Ms. Lin has arrived.”

Shen Mo Bai wiped away his tears: “Let her in.”

Lin Yanyan walked into the office: “Mao Bai, it’s been a long time…”

He looked at her, his eyes cold: “Ling Yan, what are you doing here?”

She bowed her head, hesitating slightly: “I… I want to thank you for saving me.”

Shen Mo Bai sneered, “Thank me, Yan Yan? Because of saving you… I lost my wife.”

Lin Yanyan whispered, “Mo Bai… I’m sorry.”

He shook his head: “No need to apologize.”

Ngôn Yên, it’s not your fault, it’s mine… I was too selfish, too arrogant.

I thought I could keep both…

As a result, Bai Ling was lost.

Lin Yanyan bit her lip: “Mo Bai, actually, I’ve always wanted to tell you…”

That day, even before the gunshots rang out, I knew that thug was coming.

I deliberately didn’t move away — because I wanted him to come and save me.”

Shen Mo Bai was stunned: “What did you say?”

Lin Yanyan bowed her head: “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault…”

Shen Mo Bai jumped to his feet: “You… you did this on purpose?”

Lin Yanyan nodded slightly, tears falling: “I… I love you.”

But he’s already married.

I thought that if he took a bullet for me, he would fall in love with me.

Shen Mo Bai’s eyes widened in anger: “Are you crazy?! Because of your selfishness, I lost Bai Ling!”

Lin Yanyan burst into tears: “I’m sorry…”

He pointed to the door: “Get out!”

Lin Yanyan burst into tears and ran outside.

Shen Mo Bai slumped into his chair, covering his face.

It turns out… it was all a trap set from the beginning.

He walked in like a fool, losing the girl who loved him the most.

Three years later, Shen Mo Bai was still single.

His friends advised him: “Mr. Shen, you should move on…”

Shen Mo Bai shook his head: “In this life, I will only love Bai Ling.”

My friend sighed, “But she already has a family and children…”

Shen Mo Bai gazed into the distance: “I know. So… I will live alone for the rest of my life. That is the karma I deserve.”

His friend sighed again: “You… you didn’t have to do this…”

Shen Mo Bai smiled faintly, a bitter smile filled with regret.

Because I was the one who pushed her away…

That day, when I shielded Lin Yanyan from bullets, I thought the person who would come to my side would be Bai Ling—my wife, with whom I had shared three years of marriage.

But what I got instead was a divorce petition.

It was at that moment that I truly understood—I had lost the most precious thing in my life. But it was too late.

My friend patted me on the shoulder and comforted me: “Mr. Shen, you should let go.”

I just shook my head: “I can’t let go… I can’t let go for the rest of my life.”

Years later, I still often remember that afternoon… I lay in my hospital bed, waiting for the woman I called my wife to come and take care of me.

But it wasn’t her who arrived, but a lawyer holding a divorce petition.

At that moment, I truly understood—I had lost the woman who loved me the most, lost the happiness that should have been mine.

As for Bach Linh, she now lives in another city with her husband and child, peacefully and happily.

She will never look back again.

That’s my end — an end I brought upon myself.

I shielded my mistress from bullets, and in doing so, I lost my wife, who truly loved me.

I kept thinking she would come to me… but all I got was a divorce notice.

That was the greatest irony. And also the most bitter retribution.

Goodbye to the girl who once loved me with all her heart. Farewell… to the rest of my lonely life.

I sat in my office, looking out at the city — and suddenly remembered the words she once said:

“Shen Mo Bai, I’ve waited for you for three years.”

If only he could have seen you, appreciated you, and loved you that day—we wouldn’t have come to this point. But he couldn’t.

In his eyes, there was always only Lin Yanyan.

And in the end, he chose her, not me.

So… what reason do I have to stay?”

I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face: “Bai Ling, I’m sorry… I saw it too late… I learned to appreciate you too late… And loving you… is also too late.”

I opened the drawer and took out a wedding photo.

In the photo, Bai Ling is smiling very happily, and I’m smiling beside her too.

Back then… we still had a future.

But now, that future belongs to someone else.

I pressed the photo to my chest, tears streaming down my face: “Bai Ling… if I could do it all over again… I would definitely love you well. Definitely…”

But there are no “what ifs” in life.

I no longer belong to you.

And he could only spend the rest of his life regretting it.

This is my end.

The price I paid for shielding my lover from bullets was losing the only person who truly loved me.

I thought it would be you who came, but after waiting so long… all I got was a divorce announcement.

It is the fairest punishment… and also the most painful punishment.

Run out of