Chapter 1 K = 0 " Claire , your bone marrow treatment isn't working anymore . The transfusions can only hold you for so long . You need a transplant soon , or your body won't make it . " I nodded , even though my mind wasn't really here . I just reached for my phone with trembling fingers and called Beckley . My husband of five years . It rang . And rang . Then it cut off . I tried again . No answer . Tried a third time . Nothing . My chest hurt more than before . I stared at my screen like maybe he'd call me back . Instead , my phone buzzed with a notification from Instagram . It was a photo . Fresca . My cousin . The one who just came back from abroad , the one who bragged she was finally chasing her dreams in fashion design . But now ... She was smiling , holding hands with a man . His watch flashed under the light . I knew that watch by heart . Beckley's . The caption burned through me . " The person I've secretly loved is finally mine . Even if it's a dream , I hope it never ends . " My thumb slipped , and I hit the like button . Not even a minute later , my phone exploded with calls . His name lit up the screen . " Claire , wait ! Don't hang up . " His voice cracked , desperate . " I know what you saw . Let me explain , please . " I stayed silent . He rushed on . " It's not what you think . Fresca ... she told me she's willing to be your donor . But she said the only way she'd go through with it is if I gave her a chance . She begged me to be her boyfriend for just a month . Just one month . I swear I only did this for you , Claire . For you ." My throat closed up . " Beckley ... is that really true ? Or is that just what you're telling me ? " " Of course it's true ! " he shouted , then softened . " Claire , you're my everything . You know that . How many times have I told you ? I can't lose you . I won't survive it if something happens to you . " " Then why does it feel like maybe ... maybe you wanted to say yes to her ? " Silence . Just his breathing on the other end . I thought back . All the little things he used to do . The boy who stayed up all night just to drive across the city and bring me hot dumplings when my body hurt too much to 2/4 18 % Jou up . Dounity ... to many uuc : 10 tai jual mitat juu me ? " " Of course it's true ! " he shouted , then softened . " Claire , you're my everything . You ! know that . How many times have I told you ? I can't lose you . I won't survive it if something happens to you . " " Then why does it feel like maybe ... maybe you wanted to say yes to her ? " Silence . Just his breathing on the other end . I thought back . All the little things he used to do . The boy who stayed up all night just to drive across the city and bring me hot dumplings when my body hurt too much to sleep . The boy who surprised me with a pair of shoes I had only mentioned once in passing . The boy who knelt down beneath the lanterns on my 22nd birthday and held out a ring . He said , " Marry me when you graduate . I want forever with you , Claire . " I believed him . Everyone believed him . Beckley Huntman , cold and untouchable to the world , but soft and warm only for me .. Six months ago , when the doctor told me I had aplastic anemia , he held my hand so tight I thought he'd crush it . He said with tears in his eyes , " If you leave me , Claire , I'll go too . Don't you dare give up . " So he searched everywhere , begged hospitals , called strangers , even offered his own . blood . I saw him drafting something once ... his will . He wasn't afraid to give . everything away . Beckley paid her too , a huge amount . I had seen the check with my own eyes . Four hundred million dollars . Money for her dreams , in exchange for her bone marrow . But she wanted something else too . Him . For the fourth time in six months , Fresca backed out again . She always had another . excuse , and Beckley always stayed by her side like she was the one dying . The first time , she fainted and said her blood sugar was too low , and Beckley slept in the hospital with her for three nights . I don't care how much . Just pay her . Don't ... don't be 3/4 2.7 % 8:54 Thu , Oct 16 But she wanted something else too . Him . For the fourth time in six months , Fresca backed out again . She always had another excuse , and Beckley always stayed by her side like she was the one dying . The first time , she fainted and said her blood sugar was too low , and Beckley slept in the hospital with her for three nights . The second time , she said her anxiety gave her nightmares , and Beckley sat through therapy with her , holding her hand until morning . I could hear him breathing , but he didn't answer right away . After a long pause , he said quietly , " Claire ... we already owe her so much . I don't want to push her . She's helping you in the first place . We should be grateful ." I squeezed the blanket tighter , my heart pounding with anger that my body was too weak to release . " Owe her ? Four hundred million ? Or ... is there something else you owe her ? " Before he could answer , I heard Fresca's voice in the background . Sweet and fake , like honey poured over poison . " Beckley , I burned my hand ! It hurts , come here ! " Beckley's voice changed instantly , full of worry . " Claire , I'll call you later , okay ? Fresca needs me ." Then the line cut . I stared at my phone until the screen went dark . My chest felt hollow , like the last pieces of me were crumbling . I turned to my doctor . " How long ... if I don't get the transplant ? " He sighed and looked at me with pity . " A month at most . You're getting weaker every day . If you get the transplant before that , there's hope , but if not- " 4/4 3.6 % i well nu far fake , Tike aiswer , I hear riestas voice in the vackground , sweet an honey poured over poison . " Beckley , I burned my hand ! It hurts , come here ! " Beckley's voice changed instantly , full of worry . " Claire , I'll call you later , okay ? Fresca needs me . " Then the line cut . I stared at my phone until the screen went dark . My chest felt hollow , like the last pieces of me were crumbling . I turned to my doctor . " How long ... if I don't get the transplant ? " He sighed and looked at me with pity . " A month at most . You're getting weaker every day . If you get the transplant before that , there's hope , but if not- " " I get it ," I whispered , cutting him off . " Then I guess ... I won't have it . " I knew my cousin too well . Fresca wasn't going to save me . She was just going to keep delaying , so she could keep Beckley . And I ... I was done waiting . That evening , I went back home . The sky was painted gold and orange , and for a moment , I thought maybe God was showing me a glimpse of peace before the end . But when I opened the front door , the sight crushed me . 8:54 Thu , Oct 16 Chapter 2