3
524words
"I don't want to hear from you anymore."
Emily glanced at me disdainfully.
She grabbed Daniel's arm."Daniel,the divorce is done.You're free of her.No need to waste your words on her—let's go."
Daniel's words drifted in the air,slow and deliberate.
It felt like the day we got our marriage license.
He held my hand,eyes filled with cherished love.
With the certificate in his hand,he hugged me with joy.
I felt like I could still hear his whisper:"Sarah,I finally married you.You're mine forever."
"Sarah,you don't know how lucky I am to have you."
I watched as Daniel and Emily walked away.
Those words lingered in my ears.
I stood frozen,staring at the paper in my hand.
Tears dripped onto it.
Daniel,I granted your final wish.
You don't know,do you?I'm about to die.
We truly won't see each other again.
And I don't want to see you anymore.
My Daniel is dead.
You don't deserve my love.
Snapping back,I didn't dwell.
At home,I packed for the hospital.
Being alone now,packing was simple.
I owned little.
Since falling ill,most of my possessions were medications.
My parents,after Daniel and I got married,died in a car accident while traveling.
In this world,I had only myself.
I once had a child with Daniel,but it was gone.
I was glad the child wasn't born.
Who would love it now after I’m gone?
Before leaving,I glanced at the house I'd shared with Daniel.
The love,the doubts,arguments,cold wars,betrayals,pain—all of it.
Without lingering,I locked the door,taking my meds and clothes to the hospital.
"Dr.Mason."I looked earnestly at my attending physician.
"I want to sign a donation agreement."
Hearing my words, Dr.Mason paused,hesitating."Ms.Harper,are you sure?"
I nodded.
My body could aid research,and at least this way someone would handle my remains.
Otherwise,would my corpse rot in the hospital,unclaimed?
Seeing my hollow expression,Dr.Mason seemed to choke on words,then he spoke with resolve."Are you taking your meds on time?You know surgery won't extend your life much or ease the pain.If successful,it'll buy time.If it fails,the cancer will spread faster,and you'll die sooner."
"You could...live out your final days without suffering,if you ask me."
"Even so,are you sure about surgery?"
On the hospital bed,with an IV tube on the back of my hand,I looked at Dr.Mason,teasing,"Can a doctor actually say that?"
"You could get reported,and the director would have your head."
He tried to explain,flustered.
I turned my eyes to the ceiling.
"You know I'm alone.I've done all I can."
"If surgery frees me sooner,isn't that better,Dr.Mason?"
"I know you pity me,being alone.I appreciate your kindness.Thank you."
Dr.Mason looked up,his eyes red.
"I don't pity you."
"If you're worried no one will handle your remains,I'm a doctor.If you don't mind,I can give you a proper burial in a decent cemetery."
He forced a smile."He's not worth this."
"That man you divorced—he's not worth doing this to yourself."
I was silent,then said,"Dr.Mason,you're a good person."
"But I'm really so tired."
"Tired to the point I can't even speak."
"I'm exhausted."
"Ms.Harper,I..."He clenched his fists,holding back his words.
Before he could finish his sentence,I looked at him earnestly."Doctor,please arrange the surgery as soon as possible."
