Ashes of Betrayal, A Dying Wish

two re

phone felt heavy in my hand, a cold, hard rectangl

ht. He was probably in a meeting, staring at a scree

r him to speak, "I need you to put yo

nt sigh came thr

poken in a year. I' m not your emergency con

it, cold and efficient, cutting str

or a specific procedure. A fina

getting more cosmetic work do

him. It used to hurt. Now, it was just a du

don' t need your money. My second re

rfectly, his brow furrowed not with concern, but with sheer disbel

, his voice a low hiss. "Is this some kind of sick j

games. He used to be proud of th

ot a game

betraying tremor that had become more

brain tumor. It' s aggressive. There' s no treatment left. I'

one was different. It was filled

"You' re doing this to ruin things for me.

asted like ash in my mouth. My head throbbed, a dull, per

my energy fading. "The date is set f

"You' re still trying to manipulate me. You always have t

are," I

r of whatever he was feeling gone. "Stay away from my life. I' m getting marr

ame didn' t even sting anymore. It wa

d. "I just need a name on a form. And som

"I am not a part of your life. N

ne wen

ection a pale, hollow-eyed ghost. The room was qu

g again almos

er ID was a private numbe

ed to

"I' m calling for Chloe Reed. I' m just conducting a routine check-in to confirm your continued desire

, the air rattl

said. "I

t under any exte

sive. I thought of my empty apartment, the

o pressure at all.

d. We will see you o

e table beside me. It was done. One part