- 9.
I woke up in the hospital that evening, surrounded by worried faces, including
Reynolds and David.
I was too weak to speak. Emily was talking, her
eyes brimming with tears. Someone patted her
back comfortingly. I closed my eyes.
100
I woke again in the darkness. I reached up to touch my hair. A hand gently intercepted mine, smoothing my hair. A warm hand. I heard a soft
sob.
“When…?” David’s voice.
I looked at the shadowy figure beside my bed
and sighed. “Six months ago.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
I patted her arm. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s… a release.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were sick. I was… wary of you, of you being around David.”
I squeezed Lisa’s hand. “You were right to be. I wasn’t being honest. It’s David! I loved him for ten years. We almost got married. I had to…
<
12:41
try.”
100
A wave of pain washed over me. I held my
breath until it subsided. “If it wasn’t for this… I
would have made a scene. I couldn’t… let it go.”
Lisa’s quiet sobs filled the room. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell him? There’s still time, Nina.”
Lisa’s sudden change of heart caught me off guard. I blinked back tears. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. “No.”
“David’s parents… it wasn’t an accident. It was retaliation. If he knew… the pain… And knowing him, he wouldn’t let it go. He’d risk everything
to…” I shook my head. “I can’t… I can’t tell him
I’m his fiancée and then… make him arrange
my funeral. Losing three people at once… How
could he cope? He’s about to… get married!”
Lisa crind hardor I hold har hand comforting
<
12:41
100
Lisa cried harder. I held her hand, comforting her. “Don’t cry for me. When I found out… I felt relieved. The pain… it was finally ending. Then I heard about David, and I… fell apart. But seeing him with Emily… I’m almost grateful for this
illness.”
“Nina…”
I turned away, tears soaking my pillow. “And…
you saw him. He’s… he’s David, but he’s not
my David. My David is still waiting for me. Lisa,
I’ll see him soon.”
Lisa hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. “Lisa, will you do me a favor?”
Lisa cried herself to sleep that night. I, having
finally shared my secret, slept soundly.
The next morning, I woke early. Lisa helped me
with my wig, and I applied my makeup. “Still putting on makeup?” she asked softly.
<
100
I’d worn makeup every day since arriving, to
hide my pallor, to maintain some semblance of
dignity.
“Just a little. To look… presentable.”
Lisa didn’t reply, but her touch became even gentler.
Emily brought breakfast, her face drawn and pale. She seemed distracted. When Lisa stepped out, Emily approached me.
“Nina… David… he’s… your husband, isn’t he?”
