My twin was up in a second. She grabbed my arm like we were sisters again, like she hadn’t been slowly killing me. Her smile was bright and fake.
“Good,” she said sweetly. “Then let’s all be nice, okay? No jealousy. Fredrinn’s just helping me live my dream. He promised me one month. After that, you’ll be fine.”
I pulled my arm out of her grip. Slowly.
“I won’t be jealous.”
Fredrinn finally relaxed. He rushed to the kitchen, came back with a bowl of soup like this was some happy family scene. He smiled at me, proud of himself.
“I made this for you. It’s good for your blood. Eat a little.”
It smelled warm. Familiar. I wanted to trust him. I took one sip.
My throat burned instantly.
“No,” I gasped, grabbing my chest. My skin went cold. “Shrimp. You put shrimp in this. Fredrinn, I’m allergic! I told you. You know this.”
He went pale. “I thought… I thought it was peanuts. I mixed it up.”
My twin tilted her head, pretending to be helpful. “No, you’re confused. I’m allergic to peanuts. You remembered that, right? I told you last week.”
Everything went blurry.
Pain tore through my chest. Sharp. Deep. Like something was ripping me open from the inside. He remembered her allergy. Not mine.
The last thing I heard was him yelling my name like it mattered now.
When I woke up, I was back in a hospital bed. Again.
Fredrinn was sitting beside me. His eyes were red. He was holding my hand too tight, like he was scared I’d disappear.
“I’m sorry,” he said fast. “It was a mistake. Please believe me. I canceled everything. For the next few days, it’s just you. I swear. I won’t let this happen again. Please forgive me.”
I turned my face away.
“You don’t need to say sorry,” I said quietly. “You already belong to her. Just remember what she likes now. Take care of her. And Fredrinn… stay out of my life. I mean it.”
He shook his head, panicking. “What are you talking about? This thing with her isn’t real. It’s just a deal. One month. I’m pretending so she’ll save you. Don’t twist it. You’re my wife. You’re the one I love.”
He reached for my face.
I pulled the blanket up instead.
“I’m tired,” I whispered. “I need to sleep.”
His hand stayed in the air for a second. Then he pulled back and stood up.
“Fine,” he said. “Rest.”
The door closed behind him. The sound felt heavier than a gunshot.