When Love Turned Terminal

Synopsis

Richard Davidson and I had been married for years, yet he couldn't even remember my birthday. When I called him, it wasn't his voice that answered. It was Rebecca Lynn, his childhood sweetheart. I tightened my grip on the medical report in my hand—stomach cancer, terminal—and forced the words out. "Richard, I'm sick." He sighed, clearly impatient, "What now? Don't be dramatic, Laura. And please, put on some makeup and dress properly for dinner." At the family gathering, Richard's mother turned up her nose at the silk scarf I brought her, while Rebecca gave me that fake smile. "You don't look so well, Laura. Are you okay?" she asked sweetly. I looked straight at Richard. "What if I told you I was dying? Would you believe me?" He snorted, "Stop those childish games. Trying to guilt me into something again?" It wasn't until I collapsed in the hotel room that reality finally hit him. The doctor stood at his side, holding the chart. "Mr. Davidson, your wife is in critical condition, late-stage stomach cancer. Do you want to authorize emergency treatment?" Richard froze, staring at the pale, tube-covered woman on the bed—the wife he'd long stopped seeing. Then his knees gave out. "Sweetie, I'm sorry. I'll believe whatever you say. Please, come back to me."