Steven''s head throbbed, but it couldn''tpare to the heartache he felt.


    When Steven recalled the days he spent with Annalise, he suddenly realized that Annalise had been looking out for him all along. Meanwhile, he had never cared for Annalise. Even after Annalise gave birth to their son, he evaded his responsibilities as a husband and father, using work as an excuse.


    Annalise was considerate of the pressure he was under. She never once asked him to take care of their son. As a wife, Annalise was amazing; as a mother, she was exemry.


    From the beginning until the end, Steven was the only person who failed.


    At that realization, Steven let out a bitterugh at himself. Suddenly, a distant memory rushed back to him.


    Steven remembered the time Annalise had to deliver the baby when he had just made some money. He feared that paying for Annalise''s childbirth would cause financial problems for thepany. If thepany didn''t have enough funds, it could lead to unexpected crises.


    Ultimately, Annalise had to bear the costs the childbirth alone.


    Steven felt ashamed.


    At that time, Annalise was pregnant. She came from a distant ce, married him, and moved in with him. Annalise had no way to earn money.


    Steven had previously thought his behavior eptable. But now, he realized how absurd it had been. With trembling hands, Steven took out his phone and called Annalise from a new number.


    "Hello?" Steven said in a trembling voice.


    He couldn''t believe all the things he had done to hurt Annalise. He refused to ept how he had


    mistreated Annalise. Overwhelmed with his emotions, Steven struggled to catch his breath.


    ...


    After years of living with Steve, I recognized his voice instantly. ncing at the number, I realized it was an unknown contact.


    Confused, I asked, "What''s up?"


    Steven said, "When you gave birth to Zachary, I didn''t give you any money. How did you afford your medical bills?"


    As Steven asked that question, it felt as though he was stabbing himself in the heart.


    I hadn''t expected him to bring this up. I replied, "I earned it myself."


    "But ever since you married me, you had to take care of me. You were pregnant, too. Where did you find time to work?" Steven asked, tearing up.


    Recently, Steven had been reflecting on all that had happened between him, Jessica, and Annalise.


    When he was with Jessica, she had grown ustomed to living avish lifestyle. She never thought about saving; a single piece of jewelry cost more than everything Steven spent on Annalise during their years together.


    Later, they hired a nanny to take care of Zachary. The nanny didn''t have to bear any expenses, and her sry


    amounted to more than what Steven had ever given Annalise, yet thetter had done so much more for the family than the nanny ever did.


    Steven realized he might never be able to repay what he owed Annalise in his lifetime.


    When I heard Steven''s choked-up voice, I found it ironic. When we were together, he never seemed to care. Now that Zachary was older and we


    and we were separated, he suddenly started to care.


    I answered nonchntly, "Well, I just made time. There''s always time, isn''t there?"


    Steven couldn''t help but ask, "Were you never tired?"


    "Of course I''m tired," I replied, not denying it.


    I added, "But I''m d I persisted. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have had the money for my medical bills when I went intobor."


    Steven was speechless. Other women could rely on their husbands when they went intobor, but what about Steven?