Chapter 1
Ever since Arthur Watson found out we were the main characters in a second-chance romance, he stopped caring and did whatever he wanted.
He quit tiptoeing around me, trying to win me over.
He didn't even try to explain those late-night texts or the perfume lingering on the passenger seat.
He started getting cozy with other women right in front of me.
When Arthur walked right past me with his latest fling in his arms, there wasn't even a trace of guilt in his eyes.
Because Arthur was dead sure that no matter how much he messed around, I'd always forgive him in the end.
He could rack his brains all he wanted, but he'd never realize that this story isn't about getting back together.
Because I was about to die. He wouldn't even get the chance to regret it.
*****
I sat on the couch until two in the morning, but Arthur Watson still hadn't come home.
His phone was left on the coffee table, screen still lit up.
On the screen was a selfie. It was a woman lying on the sheets I'd bought, flashing a peace sign at the camera.
I stared at her face for a long time.
She was prettier than me, younger than me.
I turned off the screen. I was so bone-tired, I didn't even have the energy to feel jealous.
At 3:16 am, the door lock clicked.
Arthur tiptoed in, carrying the scent of some unfamiliar perfume.
He froze for a second when he saw the living room light was still on. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was waiting for you," I said.
"It's not like I wasn't coming back," Arthur said, like he didn't owe me an explanation. He swapped his shoes and walked right past me, didn't even bother to look my way.
"Arthur," I called out.
He stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Do you remember saying we'd get back together?" I asked.
Arthur just laughed.
I'd heard that laugh a million times. At first, there was guilt in it, then impatience, and now, he just didn't care anymore.
"Yeah, I remember. So what? You gonna make a fuss?" Arthur said.
I shook my head.
"That's what I thought," Arthur said as he walked off toward the bedroom. "Don't overthink it. In the end, we'll still be together."
The bedroom door closed. A few seconds later, his snoring started up inside.
I slowly pushed myself up from the couch, a dull ache twisting in my gut.
It had been hurting for three months. At first, it was the occasional sharp pain, but now it was almost every day.
I'd been to the hospital twice, had the tests done both times, but never went back to pick up the results.
Arthur didn't come home for the next two days.
I texted him: [When are you coming home?]
He replied: [Busy.]
I texted again: [I'm not feeling well.]
He finally texted back after ages: [Go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor.]
I stared at those words for a long time.
When Arthur came back to grab something, I was out on the balcony, folding laundry.
His phone rang, and he put it on speaker. He probably thought I couldn't hear.
A woman's voice floated out from the speaker, sweet and flirty. "Arthur, I left my necklace in your car last night."
Arthur chuckled. "I'll bring it over tomorrow."
"How about tonight?" she cooed, her voice all sweet and flirty. "I miss you."
Arthur looked over at me.
I stood in the doorway, his shirt balled up in my fist.
He didn't even flinch. Just said into the phone, "Sure, I'll come by later."
After he hung up, he walked over as if nothing had happened. He grabbed his shirt from me and went into the bedroom to dig around.
I stood in the doorway, watching him. He grabbed a few thick coats and stuffed them into his bag.
"Business trip?" I asked.
"I'm going to Sciera with some friends," he said.
"Which friends?" I asked.
Arthur shot me a look. "What? Are you checking up on me?"
He let out another laugh. "Tiana, you're not the jealous type."
Dragging his suitcase to the door, Arthur suddenly turned back like something just popped into his head. "Oh, by the way, my birthday's next month. Do whatever you want. I've already got plans."
"You don't want me there?" I asked.
He replied, "It'd just be awkward if you came. Everyone's bringing their girlfriends or whatever... Never mind. Stay home and wait for me."
He didn't finish his sentence, but I knew exactly what he meant. Everyone else bought their girlfriends, and he brought another girl.
Back when we first got together, Arthur used to say to me all the time, "Tiana, the luckiest thing that ever happened to me was meeting you."
But now?
The door closed. I stood in the entryway for a long time. My stomach started hurting again, worse than ever before.
I crouched down, forehead pressed to my knees, waiting for the pain to pass.
It took me a long time to finally get back on my feet.
The pain in my stomach faded, replaced by a dull, swollen feeling.
It felt like something was growing inside me, ready to burst out at any moment.
My phone suddenly buzzed.