Love You Till the End Chapter 1193 - 1191: Shi Mei vs Shi Keke (38)

"There wasn’t before, but recently due to..."

Zhang Er's words were cut short by Chen Shijin: "Ms. Zhang Er, a simple yes or no will suffice."

Zhang Er pressed her lips together and cast a glance at Shi Keke. Upon receiving an encouraging nod from Shi Keke to speak truthfully, she confirmed with a nod, "Yes."

Six months had passed without a single peaceful night for Zhang Er, largely due to Qian Hao's infidelity. While she managed the children by day, her nights were often spent awake until the first light of dawn after they had finally fallen asleep.

The helplessness that washed over her with each sleepless night, the gnawing feeling of inadequacy in failing to keep her own husband, would invariably lead her thoughts toward the precipice of ending her own life.

Yet, at the brink of such a final act, the faces of her two young children would surface in her mind. Would their entire lives be overshadowed by the absence of a mother? Would another woman ever truly take her place in their hearts...?

The thought ultimately made her recoil from the edge. She could not bear to abandon her children, and so, despite the torment of her existence, she resolved to endure.

From that point forward, sleeping pills became her solace, the only key to unlocking a semblance of rest.

"Ms. Zhang Er, have your son and daughter ever fallen from their beds because you were in too deep a sleep from the medication?" Chen Shijin inquired further.

"They fell out of bed because..."

"Ms. Zhang Er, please answer with a yes or no."

A few seconds of hesitation followed before Zhang Er finally uttered, "Yes."

The true reason for the children's falls, however, was more complex than just her sleeping too soundly. It stemmed from her severe anemia, a consequence of prolonged malnutrition, which often caused her to faint unexpectedly.

Upon waking, it was often as late as nine o'clock, with her two children crying on the floor. A wave of guilt and regret would wash over her, yet she felt utterly powerless.

Despite her husband's immense wealth, their home lacked even a single servant. Every aspect of the children's lives – their food, clothing, shelter, and education – rested solely on her shoulders.

Exhaustion was a constant companion, yet she never dared to truly rest. She clung to the hope that if she could just endure, things would inevitably improve. She had believed that her husband, after his neglect, would eventually recognize her devotion and have a change of heart. But she was mistaken.

Tears welled in Zhang Er's eyes, and as memories flooded back, she could no longer contain her emotions, covering her mouth as sobs wracked her body.

With the judge's implicit consent, Shi Keke offered her a tissue, a comforting touch, and a soft whisper in her ear: "A woman must discern when to persevere and when to release. If a man's love has faded, clinging to him is futile; his cruelty will only inflict further pain. A man who truly cherishes you would never bear to see you weep in his presence, for your tears would wound him more deeply than they wound you."

"Observe that man over there, with his air of arrogance, casting disdain upon everyone, yourself included. When he looks at you, there is only contempt. A man like that is hardly worthy of any woman's enduring affection."

Her words seemed to bring a measure of calm to Zhang Er. She dabbed her eyes with the tissue, nodded, and replied, "Lawyer Shi, I understand your genuine desire to help me. I am deeply moved and truly grateful. Please don't worry, I will be alright. For my two children's sake, I must fight for their future, ensuring they are not burdened by hardship."