How could he be someone who was supposedly at the death's door?

I instinctively sucked in a sharp breath.

Karen sneered, "You are a big man but you can't handle just a little push. Sam, you are really not within Hugo's level."

Yes, she was right. How could I ever be compared with a man faking a terminal illness for sympathy?

Hugo clutched his chest while gasping for air but there was a flicker of smug satisfaction danced in his eyes.

Karen supported him and cursed at me, "Are you that petty? Can you take responsibility if his condition worsens?"

"Do you think everyone’s like you? Acting like the world revolves around you just because you got injured?" she shouted.

"Karen, maybe you should stay with Sam. He’s struggling with the after-effects of the accident and he must be in pain."

Hugo's fake concern obviously hit Karen's nerves because she shook her head firmly and snapped, "He brought this on himself. He always tries to be a hero. He didn't even ask me if I wanted him to save my life in the first place anyway."

I was stunned. I had to undergo three surgeries after I saved Karen in that accident. As a result, my body was covered with many scars and permanent damage. My right leg even had permanent numbness because of that.

At that time, she would lose her life, if I had not stood in front of her.

At that critical moment, while the force of impact rushed towards us, I was thinking about every detail of my proposal plan. I had everything set up, waiting for her to discover my surprise.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans for us.

I nearly ended up being disabled and the engagement ring vanished amidst the chaos. My proposal plan was abruptly cut short.

In the ICU, with bandages wrapped tightly around my head, I woke up to her tearful eyes and her trembling voice, "Sam, if you make it through this, can we be together?"

I did not want her to make a hasty decision out of guilt or feel morally obligated to stay with me, so after my recovery, I suggested we break up.

When it came to getting married, I gave her the freedom to choose. She said she couldn’t handle the judgment and the label of being "married". I respected her decision and agreed with her condition.

So, even though we were husband and wife, only a handful of people knew about the fact.

However now, she was accusing me of being selfish and uncaring.