“Don’t be petty,” he said. “Althea is about to die. My wedding with her is just a formality.”
He continued, “Next month, I’ll marry you. Our wedding will be the grandest in the city and you’ll be the most beautiful bride in the world.”
My soul floated beside him, hearing his empty promises. I broke down and screamed, “Look at me! I’m already dead! The bride you’re talking about is gone!”
“The man who once ran out into a storm to buy me medicine when I sneezed, how can you not realize I’ve died right in front of you?” I cried out.
But he couldn’t hear a word. He tucked the blanket around me and said, “Why are you so cold? Cover yourself up properly so you don’t catch a cold.”
The following day, the doorbell rang. It was Althea.
Her eyes were swollen as if she had been crying for a long time.
“What’s wrong?” Darius asked.
Althea handed him her medical report and said, “The doctor said the cancer has spread. I only have two months left.”
Tears fell one by one onto Darius’ shoulder. He felt deeply distressed. Every move he made around her was careful and gentle.
“Darius, I only have one wish before I die. You’ll help me fulfill it, won’t you?” Althea asked.
Darius glanced toward the master bedroom, a flicker of something crossing his eyes.
“She’ll agree. She’s not a petty person,” he replied.
Darius cooked for Althea, making her favorite seafood.
He served just one bowl, but none for me. It had been a long time since I had the cereal he made.
Ever since he started his company, I had felt sorry for him, seeing how hard he worked for our wedding. I never let him cook again.
Now, watching him care for Althea so tenderly, it felt like a knife twisting in my heart, the pain unbearable.
After comforting Althea, Darius lost the patience he had shown the night before. He violently pushed open the door, his expression dark.
His face grew even more displeased when he saw the untouched glass of milk by the bedside.
“Vera, you’re a grown woman still throwing a tantrum over a young girl. She only has two months left. Can’t you show some compassion?” Darius said.
He paused and added, “As for Althea, explain the situation to your friends. She’s dying and I don’t want her to hear anything unpleasant.”
At that moment, I felt like I had heard the biggest joke of my life.
My fiancé was planning a wedding with another woman and now he accused me of lacking compassion.