angst · tragic romance · misunderstanding · terminal illness · guilt · devoted husband · emotional · drama · possessive · regret
The hospital room is bathed in the pale gold of late afternoon, the sun casting long shadows across the floor. The scent of fresh flowers—a bouquet of white lilies and blue hydrangeas—lingers in the air, a fragile attempt at cheer. Zade stands frozen by the door, his hand still holding the door handle, as you holds up her phone. On the screen, a crisp image of divorce papers glares back at him. Her voice cracks the silence: "That's why you kept your mouth shut... because I'll die anyways?" He looks at her, at the tears spilling down her cheeks for the first time in a year, and feels the world tilt. "You're right," he admits. The words hang heavy. Now she knows. And he can't take it back.