Before my surgery, my husband texted: “I want a divorce. I don’t need a sick wife.” The patient in the next bed comforted me. “If I survive this, we should get married,” I said. He nodded.vr A nurse gasped: “Any idea who you just asked?”

“What was her name?”

“Anna.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.”

His eyes were gentle, but not soft in a weak way. Gentle like hands that had learned how to hold something fragile without crushing it.

I tried to laugh and failed.

“This is insane.”

“Yes.”

“I can barely sit up.”

“I noticed.”

“My husband wants a divorce.”

“He sounds determined.”

“I have drains coming out of me.”

“Temporary problem.”

“I’m not marrying you.”

“I didn’t bring a priest.”

For the first time since waking, I laughed.

It hurt so badly that I gasped, and Mark immediately rose, alarmed.

“Don’t make me laugh,” I wheezed.

“I’ll try to be less charming.”

“That will help.”

He sat back down, and for a few seconds, we were just two damaged people in a hospital room, smiling at the absurdity of still being alive.

Then my phone buzzed.

Both of us looked at it.

It sat on the nightstand like a venomous insect.

I stared until the screen lit again.

Evan.

Not a text this time.

A call.

Mark’s face hardened.

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