I angrily retorted, "Do you really think that I was trying to play a hero? Should I have just let you get hurt? I clearly remember that I had given you a choice back then…."

Karen cut me off with a growing confidence when she heard my words, "Are you seriously blaming me? I’ve already tolerated so much by staying at your side. What more do you want from me?"

I laughed bitterly, feeling a sense of absurdity with all of these. "Is that really how you’ve always seen it?"

Karen answered, "Well, it's the truth, I’ve put up with so much for your sake. Besides, this wedding is just a formality. Did you have to make such a scene?" She continued. "You just want to keep me tied down, don't you? Maybe you even planned the accident, so I’d feel guilty and stay with you, a disabled man, for the rest of my life."

I stared at her with widened eyes as disbelief washed over me. I could not believe my ears that the person I loved accused me of such a twisted scheme.

I did not have any recollection of how I left the hospital or how I ended up at home. When I looked down and saw the blood soaking through my pants, I rolled up my trouser leg to find my skin torn and bleeding.

The post-accident complications left my right leg numb and devoid of muscle strength or sensation. When the nerve pain flared, I wished I could just cut it off.

The image of Karen and Hugo leaving together was still fresh in my mind. I pounded my fist against the wall. I was suddenly feeling powerless in a marriage that was crumbling.

At two o’clock in the morning, the sound of the door creaking open pulled me back from my thoughts as Karen walked in. Her expression was softer than before.

She then said, "Sam, I know you’re still mad at me. I was in the wrong too, but Hugo’s time is running out. I can’t just leave him alone. I know you’ll understand in the end."

Her tone became even gentler, "I know you’re upset. How about we go get our marriage certificate tomorrow? That should put your doubts to rest."

I turned away, unwilling to meet her gaze, but deep down, her words gave me a small sense of comfort. Maybe she did still care about me and maybe we could mend the rift between us.

The next morning, we arrived early at the Civil Registry office. However, when our number was called, Karen became restless.