A Decade of Devotion, A Lifetime of Deceit

e up

k, like it was st

ed my eyes even tho

hand, but it felt

You're

is voice

d my ey

ite, sterile. A

e looked tired, his usual p

hand. His

I whispered. My

, his voice soft, concerned. "It came on so fast.

ration? I didn't r

izziness wa

y now," he said, squeezi

and kissed

g to piece things toget

maybe it was longer, I h

oice low, urgent, just out

rifting in and out, b

e now, thanks to

My m

ll understand... eventuall

ed. What was h

e phone, was too muffled to make out full sent

room, his face arranged in

you feeli

. "What did you

for a second, t

u. Liam... he was dying. Aplastic anemia. H

eeled. "A

one. From that charity d

A cheek swab

e infec

ime. He wouldn't have made it. I knew you'd

had manipulate

eyes. Betrayal fe

ice earnest. "After all this, we'll finally get m

e a consolation prize f

e, a dull ache in my bac

gony of his deceit. My heart felt lik

r. Marcus was there,

s voice gentle. "The doctor said the proce

aying the conce

er kind of amusement. He rea

said, turning

aying he needed to check

came in to ch

He's been spending hours with his sick friend down t

Of c

dside table. I picked

am. Lia

artisanal pizza from that

anks to my amazing friends

y rushed to get him while I

n't a loud snap, but a qu

m Marcus. Away from this c

choed in my mind. "Your talent is being stifl

zine once, with one of my student designs.

umber. My fin

llie Vance." My

Are yo

s." The words felt heav

to the East Coast,

words tumbled out,

g a fool. Marry me. Let's build

ce on the other

irm, clear. "Ellie. Are

ttling over me. "More serious th

t Liam, about the bone marrow

s heavy, but n

y said, her voice tight w

red. "I was just t

erve you, Ellie

. A truth I had ig