Chapter 3
The pain lingered for what felt like an eternity.
When I finally came to, I realized Frank had blocked me.
I tried calling from Yvette's phone, but as soon as he heard my voice, he blocked that number, too.
He didn't even give me a chance to say a word.
With no way to reach Frank, I had no choice but to go to his place.
But as soon as I opened the door, I saw Iris coming down the stairs in a silk nightgown.
Her pale collarbone was littered with bruises. The kind that came from teeth.
When she saw me, Iris let out a startled cry and immediately threw herself into the arms of Frank, who was right behind her, like she was terrified.
"Frank, I'm scared," Iris whimpered.
Frank pulled Iris protectively into his arms, giving me a sarcastic look. He asked, "Weren't you acting all tough before? So why are you back now?"
I stared at Iris, shielded by him.
For some reason, my nose prickled. I choked out, "Frank, I'm sick. Yvette's sick, too."
Frank paused, staring at my pale face. He asked, "What kind of illness?"
I fought back a sudden stab of pain in my head and managed to say, "Brain cancer. Stage four."
Frank stared at me in shock, about to step forward, but Iris scoffed from behind him. "Nora, weren't you totally fine just a few days ago?
"Now you suddenly have brain cancer? Wow, that's just tragic."
At Iris's words, Frank's guilty expression vanished instantly, replaced by a mocking sneer.
He said, "Nora, you've really got some nerve.
"I saw your checkup results just a few days ago. If I hadn't, I might actually buy this story.
"You'll stoop to anything just to make me feel guilty, won't you?
"A bitch like you deserves a terminal illness. Just hurry up and die already."
My heart twisted painfully.
Despair washed over me. I thought I was over Frank, but he still had the power to make me feel miserable.
But I swore to myself, this would be the last time.
I let out a bitter laugh and said, "You don't have to believe me, but you can't just ignore Yvette.
"She's got brain cancer, too. The tumor's tangled up with a major artery, and none of the doctors dares to operate. You're the only one who can help her."
Frank looked uncertain, about to speak.
But Iris beat him to it. She laughed. "Wow, Nora, isn't that something? You and Yvette are so close that you even came down with the exact same disease.
"You two really are good friends."
Frank's anger exploded.
He snapped, "Enough, Nora! You and Yvette are absolutely shameless.
"You'll come up with any excuse just to drag me away from Iris.
"Let me make this clear: even if you both have brain cancer, I won't lift a finger for either of you.
"If you think you can make me leave Iris, you're dreaming."
Everything went dark for a moment, and cold sweat drenched my back.
I felt so awful that I wanted to say screw it and let go.
I even started thinking maybe it'd be easier to just die.
I could take it. But Yvette couldn't.
She didn't deserve this. Not her.
I stepped forward, fighting the dizziness, and reached for Frank's arm. Old habit. Hoping he'd listen if I begged.
But the instant my hand moved, Iris freaked out and screamed at the top of her lungs from Frank's embrace, "Don't pinch me.
"I was wrong, Nora. Please."
Frank slapped me hard across the face.
"Bitch, take your filthy hands off," he snarled.
My head was ringing, and for a split second, my vision blurred. Everything went white.
A wave of dizziness crashed over me.
Through the haze, I watched Frank clutch Iris, still screaming, and bolt, totally freaked out.
As he went, he threw it over his shoulder, "Get out."
The door slammed. I didn't hear it.
The floor came up to meet me.