My Husband Replaced My Cancer Meds with Vitamins

Ethan, if she takes this medicine, she won't live past next month, right?

When she's dead, that huge insurance payout will be our baby's formula money.

I stared at the smart fish tank's surveillance feed on my phone, listening to my husband Ethan Carter and his good friend Mandy's conversation, my whole body going cold.

He was pouring my anti-cancer targeted therapy medication down the drain, replacing it with cheap vitamin pills.

And I had just received my follow-up report from the hospitalmisdiagnosis. I never had cancer at all.

"Summer, how are you feeling today? Did you take your medicine on time?"

Ethan Carter pushed open the bedroom door, holding a glass of warm water in his hand, his face wearing an impeccably gentle smile.

Summer Lynn looked at the white pills in his hand, her stomach churning.

"I feel a bit nauseous. I'll take them later."

Summer Lynn turned her head away, avoiding his outstretched hand.

"That won't do. The doctor said you can't skip this targeted therapy for even a single day."

Ethan Carter sat down on the edge of the bed, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness.

He sighed and reached out to feel Summer Lynn's forehead.

"Summer, I know you're suffering, but these pills cost thirty thousand dollars a bottle."

"I went to three different cities to get them for you. You can't waste my efforts like this."

Summer Lynn looked at those eyes filled with deep affection, but in her mind replayed the surveillance footage from ten minutes ago.

He had poured the thirty-thousand-dollar life-saving medication down the drain without hesitation.

Then replaced it with vitamin pills that cost just a few dollars a bottle.

"What's wrong? Why are you spacing out?"

Ethan Carter pushed the glass of water forward.

"Take them quickly. Be good."

"Ethan Carter, do you really want me to take these?"

Summer Lynn stared into his eyes, her voice hoarse.

Ethan Carter's gaze flickered briefly, but he quickly put on a hurt expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I've sold everything I own to pay for your treatment, and now you're doubting me?"

He stood up abruptly, the glass hitting the nightstand heavily.

Water splashed out, wetting the copy of the diagnosis on the table.

"Summer Lynn, why have you become so unreasonable since you got sick?"

"I work myself to death at the company every day, then come home to take care of you. Have some conscience!"

This was his usual trick.

Whenever Summer Lynn showed even the slightest disobedience, he would immediately take the moral high ground.

Using guilt to manipulate her, forcing her to submit.

"I'm just asking. Why are you so worked up?"

Summer Lynn let out a cold laugh, her gaze sweeping over his slightly trembling fingertips.

"How can I not be worked up! Watching you suffer, I'm in more pain than anyone!"

Ethan Carter raised his voice, trying to mask his guilty conscience with anger.

Just then, Ethan Carter's phone rang.

He picked it up and glanced at it, the anger on his face instantly disappearing.

Replaced by a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"Something urgent came up at work. I need to take this call."

He hurriedly turned and walked to the balcony, deliberately sliding the glass door shut.

Summer Lynn didn't move. She simply picked up the tablet from the nightstand.

She opened the smart fish tank's listening function.

The voice from the balcony came through clearly.

"Mandy, what's wrong? Is the baby kicking you?"

Ethan Carter's voice was so gentle it could drip honey.

"Ethan, I'm so scared. The doctor just said my progesterone is a bit low."

Mandy's coquettish voice rang out.

"Can you come keep me company?"

"Don't be scared, don't be scared. I'll be right there."

Ethan Carter lowered his voice, his tone urgent.

"Don't move around, okay? Wait for me."

"But what about Summer..."

"Who cares about her! A woman who's about to diehow can she be more important than our son?"

"I just fed her those vitamins. Once she kicks the bucket, this penthouse will be our wedding home."

Summer Lynn's fingers gripping the tablet turned white at the knuckles.

Her nails dug deep into her palm, drawing blood without her even noticing.

She didn't have cancer.

This afternoon, the hospital had called to say the previous biopsy report had been mixed up.

She only had a common stomach ulcer.

She had wanted to tell Ethan Carter this good news, but instead stumbled upon this premeditated murder.

Ethan Carter pushed open the balcony door and walked in, his face once again wearing that false apologetic expression.

"Summer, there's an urgent problem with a project at work. I need to go deal with it right away."

"Are you going to the office, or to see Mandy?"

Summer Lynn looked at him coldly, not missing any change in his expression.

Ethan Carter froze for a moment, then frowned.

His eyes filled with impatience and disgust.

"What are you imagining now?"

"Mandy is my buddy's widow. What's wrong with me taking care of her?"

"Taking care of her in bed?"

Summer Lynn didn't back down, staring directly into his eyes.

"Summer Lynn! You're being completely unreasonable!"

Ethan Carter pointed at her nose, cursing.

"Have you lost your mind from being sick?"

"I grovel outside every day to pay for your medical bills, and you accuse me of cheating?"

He let out a cold laugh, his eyes full of contempt and malice.

"Look at yourself in the mirror."

"Your hair's all fallen out, you're thin as a skeleton. What would I want with you?"

"Are you useful because you're dying soon!"

These words were like a rusty dull knife, stabbing viciously into Summer Lynn's heart, cutting back and forth.

But she didn't cry. She just calmly looked at the man before her.

Looked at this man she had loved for five years, whom she had given everything to support.

"Take the medicine. I'll try to come back early tonight."

Ethan Carter seemed to think he'd gone too far, so he softened his tone slightly.

But his eyes remained cold, without a trace of warmth.

"What if I don't take it?"

Summer Lynn asked back, her tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"Don't take it?"

Ethan Carter let out a cold laugh and reached out to grab Summer Lynn's chin.

The force was so strong it nearly crushed her jawbone.

"Summer Lynn, I'm warning you, don't be ungrateful."

"Whether you want to or not, you're taking this medicine today!"

He grabbed the vitamin pills and roughly shoved them toward Summer Lynn's mouth.

Summer Lynn struggled desperately and swatted his hand away.

The white pills scattered across the floor, as if mocking this absurd marriage.

Ethan Carter looked at the pills on the ground, his expression turning completely dark.

"Fine. Very good."

"Since you want to die so badly, suffer on your own then."

"Let's see how long you can keep up this attitude!"

He turned and strode toward the door without looking back.

"Ethan Carter, if you walk out that door, don't regret it."

Summer Lynn said to his retreating back, enunciating each word.

Ethan Carter gripped the door handle, turned his head, and his lips curved into a mocking arc.

"Regret? That word doesn't exist in Ethan Carter's dictionary. You'd better worry about whether you'll survive tonight first."

"Summer, you don't mind if I come over for a meal, do you?"

Mandy pushed open the door and strutted in.

She carried several designer shopping bags in her hands and wore overpowering perfume.

Completely disregarding that Summer Lynn was supposed to be a "critically ill patient."

"This is my home. You're not welcome here."

Summer Lynn leaned against the sofa, looking coldly at this woman who had taken over her nest.

"Oh my, Summer, why are you so petty?"

Mandy sat down on the sofa uninvited, tossing the shopping bags onto the coffee table.

"Ethan said you were bored at home alone, so he specially asked me to keep you company."

"He's just too kind. He always feels like he's wronged you."

Mandy covered her mouth and giggled, but her eyes were full of provocation.

"After all, your illness can't be cured anyway. He just wants to let you go peacefully."

Summer Lynn looked at her smug expression, her stomach churning again.

"Mandy, do you think you've already won?"

Summer Lynn picked up the water glass from the table and took a leisurely sip.

"I don't know if I've won, but you've definitely lost completely."

Mandy leaned in closer, lowering her voice.

"Ethan told me last night that he gets nauseous just looking at your sickly appearance."

"He said he doesn't even want to touch you now."

Summer Lynn's fingers tightened slightly, but her expression remained unchanged.

"Really? Then why doesn't he divorce me?"

Summer Lynn shot back, hitting Mandy's sore spot.

"It's because of those worthless shares under your name!"

Mandy got agitated and blurted it out.

"Once he gets your shares, do you think he'll keep you around?"

"Summer, I advise you to be smart and sign the papers early."

"Otherwise you'll end up with nothing, not even enough money to buy a burial plot."

Just then, the front door was pushed open again.

Ethan Carter walked in carrying bags of groceries.

As soon as he saw Mandy, the fatigue on his face instantly vanished.

"Mandy, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to rest at home?"

Ethan Carter hurried over, fussing over her.

Completely ignoring Summer Lynn sitting nearby.

"Ethan, I missed you."

Mandy immediately put on a wronged expression, her eyes reddening.

"And Summer doesn't seem very welcoming. She just tried to make me leave."

Hearing this, Ethan Carter's expression immediately darkened.

He turned to look at Summer Lynn, his eyes full of reproach.

"Summer Lynn, what's wrong with you now?"

"Mandy came to see you out of kindness. What kind of attitude is this!"

"Came to see me? She came to see if I'm dead yet."

Summer Lynn let out a cold laugh, mercilessly exposing the truth.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Ethan Carter slammed the groceries he was holding onto the floor.

"Mandy is pregnant. Can you show some decency!"

"Pregnant? Whose baby is it?"

Summer Lynn raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

Ethan Carter's face instantly turned pale, panic flashing through his eyes.

"You... what are you making a fuss about!"

"Mandy is carrying my dead buddy's child. It's my duty to take care of her!"

Ethan Carter tried to remain calm, defending himself loudly.

"Really? Then this baby better not look like you."

Summer Lynn looked at him with a half-smile.

Seeing this, Mandy quickly grabbed Ethan Carter's arm.

"Ethan, don't be angry at Summer. She's just in so much pain from her illness, she's unhappy."

"I'm not wronged. As long as I can be by your side, a little grievance is nothing."

Mandy's retreating-to-advance words completely ignited Ethan Carter's protective instinct.

He patted Mandy's hand affectionately.

"Mandy, you're just too kind."

Then he turned and glared viciously at Summer Lynn.

"Summer Lynn, apologize to Mandy right now!"

"Apologize? Why should I?"

Summer Lynn found it somewhat amusing. These two really were a perfect match.

"Because you just insulted her!"

Ethan Carter pointed at Summer Lynn's nose, his attitude arrogant.

"If you don't apologize today, you can figure out your own medical bills!"

He was threatening her with medical expenses again.

Summer Lynn looked at this despicable man before her, feeling only sadness in her heart.

"Fine, then I won't get treatment."

Summer Lynn stood up and walked toward the bedroom without any hesitation.

"Stop right there!"

Ethan Carter grabbed her wrist, his gaze suddenly falling on her wrist.

There was a jade bracelet of excellent quality.

It was a keepsake from Summer Lynn's mother.

"Mandy mentioned yesterday that she likes jade. Take off that bracelet and give it to her."

Ethan Carter commanded matter-of-factly.

"In your dreams!"

Summer Lynn violently shook off his hand, her eyes cold to the extreme.

"A woman who's about to die has no use for such nice things anyway."

Ethan Carter snorted coldly and reached out to snatch it again.

"Ethan, forget it. If Summer can't bear to part with it, just let it go."

Mandy pretended to dissuade him, but her eyes were fixed on the bracelet.

"No way! This bracelet must go to you today!"

To show off in front of Mandy, Ethan Carter used more and more force.

Summer Lynn desperately protected her wrist as the two struggled in the living room.

A crisp "crack" sounded.

The bracelet hit the edge of the coffee table during the struggle and broke in half.

The clear sound of breaking echoed through the living room.

Summer Lynn looked at the broken jade on the floor, her eyes instantly reddening.

That was the only keepsake her mother had left her.

"So it broke. What's the big deal?"

Ethan Carter glanced at the fragments on the floor, dismissively curling his lip.

"At worst I'll buy you a fake one to wear."

He turned to look at Mandy, his tone immediately becoming gentle.

"Mandy, you weren't scared, were you? Come on, let's go out for a nice meal."

"But what about Summer?"

Mandy looked at Summer Lynn with feigned concern.

"Let her die! Come on, let's go pick out a diamond ring."

"But Ethan, what if she reports us for robbery?"

"Report us? She's a useless invalid who can barely get out of bed. How's she going to report anything!"

"It's just a dog. How can it be more important than Mandy's feelings?"

Ethan Carter kicked aside the litter box blocking his path, his face full of disgust.

Dumpling, the Ragdoll cat Summer Lynn had raised for three years, was now cowering in a corner, trembling.

Its hind leg had a deep bite wound, blood staining its white fur.

And the culpritthe unleashed bully breed dog Mandy had broughtwas barking arrogantly.

"Ethan Carter, are you blind! It was her dog that bit my cat!"

Summer Lynn held Dumpling in her arms, her voice trembling with distress.

"Stop yelling!"

Not only did Ethan Carter show no remorse, he shouted at her instead.

"Mandy is pregnant now. She can't handle being startled."

"Your cat sheds everywhere anyway. What if Mandy has an allergic reaction?"

He stepped forward and snatched Dumpling from Summer Lynn's arms.

"What are you doing! Give her back!"

Summer Lynn desperately tried to grab the cat back, but Ethan Carter shoved her onto the sofa.

"This damn cat can't stay. I'm throwing it out right now."

Ethan Carter grabbed Dumpling by the scruff of its neck and strode toward the door.

"Ethan Carter! Don't you dare!"

Summer Lynn struggled to get up and chased after him to the door.

But Ethan Carter had already mercilessly thrown the cat near the trash can in the hallway.

With a "bang," the security door slammed shut.

"Ethan, don't be angry. Getting upset isn't worth it."

Mandy walked up and pressed herself against Ethan Carter's chest, her voice syrupy sweet.

"Mandy's the understanding one."

Ethan Carter wrapped his arm around her waist, looking at Summer Lynn with a challenging gaze.

"Summer Lynn, I'm warning you. From now on in this house, Mandy's rules are the rules."

Summer Lynn looked at the dark hallway outside the door, her heart breaking.

Her stomach suddenly sent waves of sharp pain, cold sweat instantly soaking through her back.

Although she didn't have cancer, a severe stomach ulcer flare-up was still life-threatening.

"My stomach hurts. Take me to the hospital."

Summer Lynn clutched her stomach, barely managing to speak.

"What hospital? You have a terminal illness. Going would just be a waste of money."

Ethan Carter glanced at her coldly, completely unmoved.

"Ethan, my dog seems to have diarrhea. Can you take me to the vet?"

Mandy suddenly picked up the bully breed, putting on an anxious expression.

"Okay, let's go right now."

Ethan Carter immediately grabbed the car keys, not sparing Summer Lynn another glance.

"Ethan Carter! I'm in too much pain to walk. Leave me the car!"

Summer Lynn held onto the wall, gritting her teeth as she called out.

"The car keys are in my hand. Why should I leave them for you?"

Ethan Carter let out a cold laugh.

"Call yourself a cab. Don't delay getting Mandy's dog treated."

He helped Mandy out the door and locked the security door behind him.

Summer Lynn endured the severe pain and pulled out her phone to call a car.

But she discovered that not only had Ethan Carter locked the door, he had also unplugged the home Wi-Fi.

Her phone couldn't make calls because it had been cut off for unpaid bills.

The sound of a car engine starting came from outside.

Summer Lynn dragged her heavy steps to the window.

She watched helplessly as Ethan Carter drove away in the Porsche that had originally belonged to her, carrying that woman.

Raindrops began hitting the window glass, falling harder and harder.

Summer Lynn collapsed to the floor in pain, curling into a ball.

She fumbled for the spare key and struggled to open the door.

The hallway was empty. Dumpling had disappeared somewhere.

"Dumpling... Dumpling..."

Summer Lynn held onto the stair railing, moving down step by step.

The rain outside was pouring down. Cold wind mixed with rain beat against her body.

She finally found the barely alive Dumpling in the bushes of the community garden.

Summer Lynn took off her jacket to wrap the cat tightly and stumbled toward the community entrance.

A taxi stopped in front of her.

"Driver, to the nearest vet hospital, then to the downtown hospital."

Summer Lynn pulled open the car door, her voice so weak it was barely audible.

The driver looked at her soaking wet body and deathly pale face, startled.

"Miss, are you... okay?"

"I'm fine. Just drive."

Summer Lynn leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.

Cold rainwater slid down her cheeks. It was impossible to tell whether it was rain or tears.

The next morning.

Ethan Carter returned home with Mandy, only to find the house empty.

"Where did that bitch go?"

Ethan Carter frowned and dialed Summer Lynn's number.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

"Summer Lynn, where the hell are you! Get back here and make breakfast for Mandy!"

Summer Lynn's icy voice came through the phone.

"Ethan Carter, you open the door!"

"Freeze outside for a night to clear your head. If the cat's still alive tomorrow morning, I'll be merciful and let you in."

"Sign this voluntary waiver of property statement, and I'll continue buying your medication."

Ethan Carter slammed a thick document onto the dining table, looking down at Summer Lynn from above.

Summer Lynn had just returned from getting an IV at the hospital, her face still pale.

She glanced at the document on the table but didn't move.

"Ethan Carter, you won't even spare my property after I die?"

Summer Lynn's voice was soft but carried bone-chilling coldness.

"How can you say that? I'm doing this for your own good."

Ethan Carter pulled out a chair and sat down, lighting a cigarette.

"You know what kind of person your brother islazy and good-for-nothing all day."

"If something happens to you, those shares under your name will definitely be snatched away by your family."

He blew out a smoke ring, his eyes full of calculation.

"Might as well transfer them to my name. I'll keep them safe for you. At least since we were married, I can buy you a decent burial plot."

"Keep them safe for me?"

Summer Lynn laughed coldly.

"Keep them safe for me, or use them to buy Mandy bags and cars?"

"Summer Lynn, don't be ungrateful!"

Ethan Carter slammed the table, furious.

"I'm being merciful enough to continue your treatment. You should be grateful!"

Mandy walked out of the bedroom at this moment.

She wore Summer Lynn's silk pajamas and held a glass of warm milk.

"Summer, Ethan is right."

Mandy walked to Ethan Carter's side and leaned intimately against his shoulder.

"Your illness can't be cured anyway. What use is keeping that money?"

"Why not leave it to Ethan? Consider it repayment for his care over these years."

She looked at Summer Lynn, her eyes full of greed and satisfaction.

"Besides, my baby with Ethan is about to be born. We need money everywhere."

"Just consider it accumulating good karma for the baby in my belly."

Summer Lynn looked at this pair of despicable lovers, feeling only disgust.

"Accumulating karma? Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

"Retribution? I, Ethan Carter, only believe in money!"

Ethan Carter impatiently threw the pen in front of Summer Lynn.

"Stop wasting time. Sign it!"

Summer Lynn picked up the document and flipped through it page by page.

Her gaze scanned the densely packed clauses.

Ethan Carter not only wanted all the shares under her name, but also the two properties under her name.

He even wanted to transfer the Porsche she had bought before marriage to himself.

"You've calculated this quite thoroughly."

Summer Lynn closed the document and looked at him coldly.

"What if I don't sign?"

"Don't sign?"

Ethan Carter let out a cold laugh, stood up, and walked in front of her.

"If you don't sign, you're not leaving this house today!"

He grabbed Summer Lynn by the collar, threatening viciously.

"You really think I have no way to deal with you?"

"I'm telling you, even if you don't sign, when you die, these things will still be mine!"

"I just don't want to deal with unnecessary trouble."

Summer Lynn was forced to tilt her head back, looking at his twisted face.

"Ethan Carter, aren't you afraid I'll call the police?"

"Call the police? Go ahead!"

Ethan Carter laughed fearlessly.

"Will the police handle property disputes between spouses?"

"Besides, with your half-dead appearance, the police will just think you're mentally unstable!"

He forcefully threw Summer Lynn back into the chair.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Sign or not!"

Summer Lynn took a deep breath, suppressing the rage in her heart.

She picked up the pen and spun it twice in her hand.

"Fine. I'll sign."

Ethan Carter and Mandy exchanged glances, both seeing wild joy in each other's eyes.

"Smart choice."

Ethan Carter eagerly flipped the document to the last page.

Summer Lynn uncapped the pen, the tip hovering over the signature line.

She looked up at Ethan Carter's impatient face, a strange smile curving at the corners of her mouth.

"But Ethan Carter, don't you know that once this agreement takes effect..."

"Takes effect what? Stop playing games!"

"Once it takes effect, that hole from your embezzlement can never be filled."