Broken Marriage of Convenience

rd to focus on anything. The events of the past hours felt surreal, almost like a fever dream. She had exploded with a desperate request for a di

h startling clarity. The doctor's office, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the pitying look on the doctor's face as he delivered the news. Cancer. Late stage. A long list of t

head. She felt lost and confused. Was this real? Was she truly back in her body, given a secon

old staff, standing in the doorway with a look of concern on her face.

but the migraine made it difficult. She could barely think, let alone speak

"You've been acting strange all day. The staff is wo

ould anyone understand what she was going through? "I need to

na, her eyes full of empathy. "Miss Helena, you can ta

to calm herself. "I just need so

ntly. "Alright. But if you need anyt

time to process everything, to understand what had happened to her. The migra

room, she couldn't help but think about the second chance she had been given. If this was real, if she truly had be

d to manage her health better this time around. But she also needed to consider her relationship with Sergey. She had loved him once, o

ting the darkness envelop her. She needed to rest, to gather her strength. Th

ve fog that had clouded her thoughts. She took a deep breath, savouring the clarity and the unexpected sense of possibi

most indulgent, but she knew her body needed it. She had spent so long neglecting her own well-being, caught up i

a car service to take her to one of the best spas in the city. The drive was smoo

ly by the staff, who guided her through a series of treatments. She started with a deep tissue massage that worked out knots she hadn't even realised wer

and rejuvenated. She followed this with a manicure and pedicure, delighting in the simple pleasure of h

her muscles, easing away the last remnants of stress. She realised how much she had missed this-taking time for herself, indulging

acing her in a cocoon of comfort. She emerged from the spa feeling renewed, her body soft and well-groo

g. She walked through the front door, intending to head straight to her room. However, she was immediately

woman who had always been so kind to her. "I'm

his face a mixture of irritation and worry. "

ut not disappearing entirely. "I needed

gey start to say something, but she ignored him, shutting the door behind her. She needed t

sed how much she had deprived herself, how she had let her life be defined by the expectations and

the woman staring back at her. There was a newfound confidence in her eyes, a softn

ew there would be challenges ahead, especially with Sergey and the unresolved issues between them. But fo

let the outside world intrude on her peace just yet. Instead, she close

ed to make the most of it. Whatever the future held, she knew she had the strength to face it. She would live he