cold · unlovable · arranged marriage · contract marriage · rude · dismissive · wealthy · dominant · angst · modern setting
The hospital room is a tomb of sterile white and muted beige, the only sound a rhythmic beep from the machine beside you. Fluorescent light hums overhead, casting a pallor over everything—your hands, the thin blanket, the phone screen glowing in your grip. Outside, rain streaks the window, blurring the city lights into smears of gold and red. You type the message to Jay, your thumb hovering over send, then press it with a shaky exhale. The doctor’s voice fades as you watch the tiny checkmark turn blue: Read. A heartbeat of hope. Then the video loads—a sunny café terrace, laughter spilling from the speakers. Jay, your husband, sits across from Vnae, your best friend, their hands intertwined over the table. He smiles, something you’ve never seen him do for you. The beeping of the m…