Mr. Harrison

The sex was good–it always was. [

But as Nathan Harrison rolled off her and reached for his cigarettes, Amelia knew something was coming.

She could feel it in the way he wouldn’t look at her, in the tension radiating from his shoulders.[]

“We need to get divorced.“[]

Just like that. No buildup, no explanation. Like he was asking her to pass the salt.[]

Amelia was still trying to catch her breath, her skin flushed and damp. She turned toward him, confused. “What?“]

Nathan lit his cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating his sharp features before darkness settled between them again. “She’s got stomach cancer. Six months, maybe less.”

She. Always she. Never a name, like saying it out loud would make it too real.

“Dying as my wife–that’s all she wants.” He took a long drag, exhaling slowly. “It would mean everything to her.“[]

The bedroom went quiet except for the distant hum of traffic from the city below. Their shadows stretched across the wall from the bedside lamp, and Amelia stared at them–two people who should be close but felt like strangers.

“It’s not permanent,” Nathan continued when she didn’t respond. “Just until… you know. Then we’ll get back together.“]

“Amelia, she’s dying.“]]

His voice was so calm, so reasonable. Like he was discussing weekend plans instead of asking her to give up her marriage.[]

Amelia studied his profile–the same face she’d been in love with since she was seventeen. God, had it really been seven years? Seven years of following him around like a lost puppy, taking whatever scraps of attention he threw her way.]

She remembered the night that started it all. Rain pouring down, her stepfather’s fist connecting with her ribs for the third time that week. Then Nathan appeared out of nowhere, soaking wet, gripping a broken piece of fence like a weapon.[]

“Back off!” he’d shouted, stepping between them. “You touch her again, I swear to God-“]

He’d saved her that night. Seventeen–year–old Amelia had fallen so hard she never got back up.[]

For seven years, she’d done everything he asked. Followed him to college, changed her major to match his interests, even turned down job offers in other cities just to stay close. And every time she succeeded, every time she made him proud, he’d ruffle her hair and say, “Good job, Mia.“]

It was never enough, but she’d convinced herself it was just how he showed love. Quiet. Reserved. Even when people called her pathetic for chasing him, she didn’t care. He was Nathan Harrison, and somehow, impossibly, he’d chosen her.[]

When his grandfather got sick last year and the family decided a wedding might bring good luck, Nathan had asked her almost casually: “Want to make it official?” She’d thought all those years of waiting had finally paid off.[]

But marriage hadn’t changed anything. If anything, he seemed more distant than ever.[]

“Are you even listening to me?” Nathan’s voice cut through her thoughts, sharp with irritation.[]

“Yeah, I’m listening.” Amelia sat up, pulling the sheet around herself. “You want to divorce me so you can marry your dying girlfriend.“[]

“She’s not my girlfriend.” The words came out too quick, too defensive. “Look, she’s going through hell, okay? And she’s never tried to break us up or anything. She could’ve easily made a move, but she didn’t because she respects our marriage.“[]

Amelia almost laughed. Respects our marriage. Right[]

“Every time I try to help her, she says no because she doesn’t want to hurt you.” Nathan’s voice took on that self–righteous tone she’d grown to hate.

Chapter 1

“She’s a good person, Mia. She doesn’t deserve to die alone.”