In the split second between life and death, one realizes that true love is by one's side

I. An Online Encounter and the Sprouting of Love

Ava and Ben met in the virtual world of the internet. Through a chance encounter in a game, their fates intertwined. Ben was captivated by Ava's understanding, gentle elegance, charm, and serene personality. In this unknown online realm, Ben found himself falling deeply in love with Ava.

Although he knew that this relationship might not be realistic, the throbbing in his heart made him unable to resist. Ben decided to bravely pursue Ava. In the chat groups every day, he would banter with Ava, trying to attract her attention. Everyone could see Ben's affection for Ava, except for Ava herself. When others informed Ava that Ben liked her, she was extremely surprised. To her, this was just a game. However, due to an inexplicable feeling, she still agreed to Ben.

II. Unwavering Determination and Anticipation for the Future

As time passed, Ben realized that his feelings for Ava grew deeper and deeper, reaching a point of no return. He longed to step into the real world with Ava, protect her, and be by her side forever. He knew that the road ahead would be full of difficulties and challenges, but he still chose to persevere.

Ava was finally moved by Ben's sincerity. She decided to wait for Ben to come and pick her up and wait for the day when he proposed. Despite knowing that this journey would be arduous, she resolutely gave Ben a chance. However, reality was often cruel. Ben's parents and Ava's parents did not approve of their relationship. Ben's parents forbade him from seeking Ava and prohibited any contact between them. Ava was extremely disappointed. She felt that there seemed to be no possibility between them. But she still waited for Ben stubbornly and rejected the pursuits of other men. She didn't know what the future held, and Ben was also silently working hard.

III. Longing and Surprise on Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day, Ava walked alone on the street in a foreign city. Looking at the pairs of sweet couples, the blooming roses, and the signs filled with blessings, a wave of indescribable sadness welled up in her heart. She wanted to cry. She missed Ben. She didn't yearn for the romantic gestures that many girls desired. She only wanted the simple happiness of having Ben by her side forever.

Ava lowered her head, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't want others to see her vulnerability, so she could only cry silently by herself. Just then, a warm and large hand appeared in front of her and wiped away her tears. It was Ben! Ava, seeing Ben's sudden appearance, cried even harder. Ben gently pulled Ava into his arms. The broad chest made Ava feel incredibly warm. She thought that being able to rely on him like this for a lifetime would be her greatest happiness.

Ben finally spoke the words that Ava had been longing to hear: "I'm sorry for making you wait so long. Today, I am here to fulfill my promise." Ava looked at the shiny ring full of happiness that Ben suddenly took out, and tears once again welled up.

IV. Blessings from Parents and the Beginning of Happiness

Ben's perseverance finally moved his parents. They agreed to let Ben go find Ava and be with her. Ava's parents, seeing their determination, also decided to bless this couple. Ben and Ava finally walked down the aisle and thought that their happy life had begun.

V. Crisis in Marriage, Disappointment and Pain

However, not long after marriage, Ben seemed to change completely. He stayed out all day, hanging out with friends and indulging in entertainment. It was as if he had forgotten his promises to Ava. Ava spent every day alone in an empty house, with only her own voice echoing. Ben would come home very late every day. When Ava woke up in the morning, the bed beside her was already empty.

Ava's days were extremely exhausting. She could no longer feel that once-warm chest. She could only cry in grievance alone every day. She was filled with doubts: Does something lose its value once it's obtained? Does one stop cherishing once it's acquired? Don't you know how to cherish?

VI. Requests and Arguments on the Wedding Anniversary

The next day was Ben and Ava's wedding anniversary. Ava wanted Ben to spend the day with her and then she would leave alone and set Ben free. She waited for Ben until very late. At around four in the morning, Ben finally returned drunk. Ava asked cautiously, "Can you spend the day with me tomorrow?" But Ben immediately refused, "I have something else to do tomorrow. Another day."

Ava cried, "Why have you changed so much after marriage? I can't see you every day. Don't you cherish anymore once you have it? Have you forgotten your promises to me?" Ben yelled at Ava, "I really have something to do tomorrow. Don't be so willful." Ava's tears flowed like a torrent. Hearing Ben call her willful, her heart was shattered. "Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Can't you just spend one day with me? After tomorrow, I won't stop you from doing anything you want." Ben's heart suddenly ached, but he didn't pay much attention. In the end, he softened and agreed to stay with Ava the whole day tomorrow and not go anywhere.

VII. The Last Day Together, Mixed Emotions

At dawn, Ava's emotions were a mixture of happiness and sadness. She was happy because she could finally spend a good day with Ben. But she was also sad because after tomorrow, she would leave Ben, the person she loved the most. Ava got up early and prepared breakfast for Ben. But even after a long time, Ben still hadn't woken up. Ava didn't want to disturb him, so she didn't wake him up. Ben didn't get up until very late. Looking at the cold breakfast, Ava said to Ben, "You're awake? The food is cold. I'll heat it up for you." Ben looked at Ava's haggard and somewhat desolate back and felt a twinge of pain in his heart. He decided to accompany Ava well today.

Ben and Ava walked on the street corner they once knew well. But everything seemed to have changed a lot. It was no longer the same as before, and the people were no longer the same as in the past. Ava's heart ached again.

VIII. A Life-and-Death Moment and the Awakening of Love

Ava suddenly had an ominous premonition. She turned her head and saw a man holding a knife, his eyes full of anger, walking towards them and was already behind Ben. Without hesitation, Ava hugged Ben from behind and took the knife for him.

Ava only felt a cool sensation in her body, as if something warm was soaking her specially dressed clothes for Ben today. Ava slowly fell backward. At the last moment, she was not disappointed. She didn't fall on the cold street. Ben held Ava in his arms, saying something, but Ava couldn't hear anything. Ava wanted to say something but couldn't utter a word. She could only use her last bit of strength to reach out and touch Ben's face. Ava seemed to see again the face that once cherished her with all his life. A tear fell on Ava's face from that once-familiar face. This tear was so warm. This was the only temperature Ava could feel at this moment. Ava smiled with relief. Ava's hand dropped powerlessly, and the surrounding figures gradually turned black and became blurred.

At this moment, Ben called Ava's name with all his might. He wished so much that Ava hadn't taken the knife for him. At this moment, he wished that he was the one bleeding! He hated himself for not cherishing Ava, for not knowing how to cherish. He hated himself so much, hated everything about himself!

Ben hugged Ava and cried loudly without restraint, unable to hear anyone else's words. His heart ached so much that he wished he could crash his head. He blamed himself for not protecting Ava well.

The sound of the ambulance blared loudly beside Ben, but he couldn't hear anything. He only hoped that Ava could open her eyes and go home with him. Several people in white pulled Ben away and forcibly took Ava away. Ben was almost on the verge of collapse. Those white clothes were so terrifyingly white that Ben was extremely afraid. For the first time in his life, he was so afraid of seeing white. Ben knelt on the ground until someone pulled him onto the constantly blaring vehicle. He didn't know who had pulled him up. He looked at Ava's pale face, and tears flowed like a torrent.

Looking at the light indicating rescue still on the wall, Ben really wanted to slap himself several times. After an unknown amount of time, the light finally went out. Ben hoped to hear the news of Ava waking up but was too afraid to approach the person in green surgical scrubs. Until the person in green stood in front of him and patted his shoulder. At that moment, Ben felt that his hand was as heavy as a thousand pounds, like a hammer hitting his shoulder.

"Don't worry. Fortunately, the knife wound wasn't deep, and her life was saved. She is out of danger now. But..." Ben was overjoyed when he heard that Ava was out of danger, as if the flowers Ava liked had sprouted. But the doctor still said, "But..." Ben seemed to fall into despair again.

"Only... the child in her belly couldn't be saved. I'm sorry. We did our best. Now you need to take good care of her. Her body is still very weak." A child? She was pregnant with our child? But he didn't know. How could he be such a husband? She was pregnant with our child, but he wasn't at home taking care of her. He still made her angry and let her take a knife for him? Wife, why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant with our baby? Is it because I'm too bad? Is it because I'm an irresponsible husband? Am I not worthy of being a father? Wife, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. It won't happen again. I'm sorry...

IX. The Rebirth of Love and the Beginning of Cherishing

Ava slowly opened her eyes... So tired... She had clearly slept for a long time, but why was she still so exhausted? Opening her eyes, she saw a white but strange room. Suddenly, she thought of taking the knife for Ben. She turned her head and finally saw that familiar face. Ava was very relieved that she could still see that familiar face. Ava remembered the tear that fell on her face before she lost consciousness. Tears unconsciously flowed from the corner of Ava's eyes again. Ava wanted to reach out and touch that familiar face, but when she reached halfway, a sharp pain suddenly struck. Not only the pain on her back but also the pain in her abdomen seemed to tell Ava something. Ava understood that the baby she and Ben had was gone. Ava stroked her stomach, and tears flowed out again. "I'm sorry. I didn't protect you well and couldn't let you be born. I'm sorry..."

Ben woke up from a nightmare calling Ava's name. Ben was so afraid of really losing Ava. When Ben realized it was just a dream, he immediately searched for Ava. Seeing Ava's hand on her stomach and tears covering her pale cheeks.

Ben grabbed Ava's hand. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I'm sorry for making you suffer so much. It's all my fault. I promise it won't happen again. Wife, forgive me..." Ava placed her hand on Ben's face. Ava's tears were warm, so full of happiness and relief... Ava felt it was worth it. Being able to win back Ben's change of heart was worth dying for him.

X. Continuation of Happiness and the Birth of Love's Fruit

A year later, Ava was pregnant with her and Ben's baby again.

"Wife, you've been through a lot. It's a girl. She's as beautiful as you. You made me understand what it means to cherish. I want to remember this lesson, so I want to name our baby 'Cherish'. Is that okay?" Ava nodded, her face filled with happiness.

Conclusion: Cherish the Present, Guard Love

This story makes us deeply understand the power and preciousness of love. On the road of love, we may encounter various difficulties and challenges. But as long as we have love in our hearts, perseverance, and cherish, we will definitely be able to overcome everything. Just like Ben and Ava in the story, they experienced countless twists and turns and finally found their own happiness.

In our lives, there are also many such love stories. Maybe we are experiencing the sweetness of love, maybe we are distressed by love, or maybe we have lost love. In any case, we must learn to cherish the people around us and the hard-won feelings. Because love is the most beautiful thing in this world and it is worthy of our lifelong guardianship.

I hope this story can bring you some inspiration and make you more determined on the road of love. May everyone find their own happiness and cherish their own love.