Dying While You Loved HerChapter 1
I was alone in the hospital when the doctor told me I was dying.
“Lesley, your bone marrow treatment isn’t working anymore. Transfusions can only buy you time. You need a transplant soon, or your body’s going to shut down.”
I nodded like I understood. Like I was still here but I wasn’t.
My hands were shaking when I grabbed my phone and called Fredrinn. My husband. Five years. Mafia king, everyone’s nightmare. Supposedly mine too, just in a different way.
It rang.
Again.
Again.
Then it stopped. I called back but it sraight to nothing.
My chest felt tight, like someone was sitting on it. I stared at my screen, waiting. Hoping. Like an idiot.
Instead, Instagram popped up.
A post.
From her.
My twin.
My fraternal twin sister. Same blood, different soul. The one who left, who always said she was meant for bigger things, prettier things. The one who never hid how much she hated that I had him first.
She was smiling in the photo. All soft and sweet while her hand tangled with a man’s fingers.
I knew that hand.
I knew that watch. I'm the one who bought it for him.
Fredrinn’s.
My stomach dropped but the caption made me feel sick.
“The man I’ve loved in secret is finally mine. Even if this is just a dream, I hope it never ends.”
My thumb slipped.
I liked it.
I didn’t even realize I was crying.
Less than a minute later, my phone started blowing up. His name flashing over and over like it was screaming at me.
I answered.
“Lesley, don’t hang up,” he said fast, rough. “Please. Just listen.”
I didn’t say anything.
“I know what you saw,” he kept going. “It’s not what you think. I swear. She said she’d be your donor. Bone marrow. She said she’d do it. But only if I gave her a chance. One month, I will act as her husband. Just one. I didn’t touch her. I didn’t cross the line. I only did it for you. Everything I did was for you.”
My throat hurt when I tried to talk. “Fredrinn… is that true?”
“Yes,” he said too fast. Then quieter. “You’re my wife. You’re my life. You know that. I can’t lose you. I won’t live through it.”
I laughed, but it came out broken. “Then why does it feel like you didn’t hate saying yes?”
He didn’t answer. I could hear him breathing.
That was worse.