"Rylee, I called you over today to discuss something."

I thought, "As long as it's not another weird remedy for me to try. My kidneys are already shot."

"Let me introduce you. This is Esther Wallace, Mr. Wallace's youngest daughter from next door. She just returned from studying abroad and now works at a research institute."

"I know her, Mom." I extended a hand in greeting. "She was at my house a few days ago."

Esther blushed. Eloise looked awkward, coughing and muttering, "She's a respectable girl. Why is he so oblivious?"

She glanced at me and continued, "Rylee, I know this is hard on you. But what man doesn't seek a little novelty now and then? Easton still cares about you. Where he's lacking, I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"Mom, I remember all the kindness you've shown me."

I glanced at Esther and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

"You and Easton have been married for years, and I'm getting older. My only wish is to hold a grandchild soon."

Eloise patted my hand, sighing before adding, "I know your health isn't great, and Easton's turning 30 soon. Maybe we could consider a scientific approach to having a child?"

I smiled. "Whatever you think is best."

"Esther's been abroad long and is into that non-marriage thing. But she's been thinking about a business marriage to settle things with her family. Do you know how the Wallace family is an intellectual, modern thinker? The more I consider it, the more I realize it could be a win-win for everyone. It would spare you pain, and the child would have more people to love them. Would you consider it?"

My head spun, and I swallowed hard. "Have you talked to Easton about this?"

"Of course. Easton said as long as you're on board, it's fine with him."

Eloise spoke earnestly, "Rylee, you and Easton act like children because you don't have one yet. Once you have a child, I'm sure things will smooth out between you two. With a baby, your hearts will naturally come together."

I pressed my lips together, not saying a word.

Eloise reassured me, saying we didn't have to rush and could take our time to think it over.

As Esther and I left together, she stopped me at the entrance of the complex.

"Ms. Bailey, I won't take Easton from you. He's your husband and always will be."

I stared at the ground and said quietly, "Honestly, I wouldn't mind. If you can convince Easton to divorce me, I might even thank you."

Esther smiled, her tone almost regretful. "He still loves you, deep down. I think he's just trying to keep you by his side with this plan."

"WTF? This homewrecker's acting all magnanimous!"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. "You shameless couple really are a perfect match. Who gave you the nerve to lecture me? With your bare-assed bravado?"

Without waiting for her reaction, I straightened my back and walked off, ignoring her reddening face.

...

On the day of my scheduled dialysis, I went alone as usual.

In the hospital room, I saw the smiling doctor again. "Why is it always him? I've developed a physical aversion to men by now."

"Do you know how many people are waiting for an appointment with me?"

"I'm not here to fangirl over you, okay? I don't care about your face!"

"I'm just trying to help. A familiar face is better than a stranger, right?"

"We've only met once! How are you so friendly already?"

"Once?" The young doctor smiled brightly, with a hint of shyness. "Rylee, do you remember who your high school class president was?"

I stared at him for a moment, my mind racing. Finally, I read the name off his uniform badge, murmuring, "Landon Foster!"

"Was I just my glasses to you? You can't recognize me without them?"

I stammered, pointing at him. "Weren't you super nearsighted? And, uh, a little chubby?"

Actually, more than a little.

In high school, I used to sit in the back and tease the smart kids. I remember he had such thick glasses that I nicknamed him "Little Chubby."

Forgotten memories came flooding back.

I leaned in, surprised. "I knew that chubby kids are always late bloomers!"

He smiled, dimples showing. "I owe it to you. Without your teasing back then, I wouldn't have had the motivation to lose weight."

Feeling a bit guilty, I quickly changed the subject. "What about your glasses? You're not even wearing contacts now, are you?"

"I got it fixed completely."

Landon's smile grew serious. "If I could cure my half-blindness, Rylee, you should have faith in yourself. Have faith in medicine."

I couldn't help but laugh at his seriousness. "With you looking this good, I might not even want to get better."

I never realized he could talk so much.

He went over every possible situation that could happen before and after dialysis in excruciating detail. Listening to him made my head spin, like I was being sedated.

I slept for a long time and dreamed many dreams of the past, and Easton was in every single one.

When I first met him, Easton was tall and skinny, always leaning against the window, daydreaming during breaks. Looking back now, it feels pretentious. Back then, I would rush out with my beloved camera after class, pretending to shoot the scenery when the only subject I was framing was him.

Later, we were in the same club and spent more time together. I couldn't hide my feelings, so I impulsively confessed to him.

Back then, his features weren't fully developed, but he was already a beautiful boy. When he smiled, it was like the stars filled his eyes. He played an unknown melody on his guitar and then kissed me.

From that day on, every moment was sweet.

He went out of his way to take the bus with me in the mornings, brought me different breakfasts every day, and quietly convinced his mom to accept me.

Back then, Easton was the type to act without talking. I realized many things only after the fact.

We went to college in the same city and met every week, discovering new spots together, rain or shine. Whenever I saw something new, the first person I wanted to tell was him. We talked on the phone until my bill ran out, and even when we argued, we couldn't stay mad for more than a day.

In my junior year, while he was in his first year of grad school, I was going through a rough patch. To buy me the camera I wanted, he secretly worked three jobs and lost over ten pounds in a month.

I was studying for a certification exam. When I saw the gift after it was over, I touched his sunken cheeks and cried my heart out. The next day, I dragged him to the courthouse, and we married.

After he graduated, he turned down job offers to start his own business. The first six months were tough. He kept losing money, and no one believed in him. I sold the house my grandfather left me, ran around with him looking for sponsors and investors, and downing drinks like there was no tomorrow, but I still woke up early the next day to make him breakfast.

We were newlyweds then, exhausted beyond belief, but we never ran out of things to say. Every night, we fell asleep in each other's arms.

He never officially said he loved me. Even now, I still believe he did.

It wasn't earth-shattering, but we had the courage to give everything for each other.

Sadly, even that kind of love couldn't withstand the passage of time.

"You were smiling so sweetly in your dream," Landon said.

His words pulled me out of my drowsy state, and I felt like I was still dreaming.

If being pathetic were a disease, I'd be in the final stages, worse than any terminal illness.

I forced a smile and urged him to go out and get me some breakfast.

After rummaging around and not finding my phone, I slowly walked to the nurse's station to borrow one.

I needed to let Mary know I was in the hospital, or she'd freak out if she couldn't reach me.

The phone barely rang once before she picked up.

As soon as she heard my voice, Mary was furious. "Oh, so you remember who I am?"

I laughed and tried to soothe her, "There's only one person in the world who cares about me. I wouldn't dare forget."

"I'm coming to see you right now. Don't try to stop me, or I'll knock you out."

I smiled. "Fine, come over. And bring a charger while you're at it."

Before hanging up, I added, "Oh, and if anyone asks where I've been, just say I've been staying at your place."

"Why?"

I heard two voices, one from the phone and one right behind me.

Stunned, I turned around.

Easton stood behind me, his expression blank. Esther was on his arm, her face equally puzzled.

"Uh..."

I quickly hung up the phone, my mind racing to come up with an explanation.

The veins in Easton's temple bulged as he marched over and grabbed my arm, demanding, "What's going on with you?"

My post-dialysis body couldn't handle his grip. I tried to pull away but couldn't, so I winced and said, "It's just appendicitis. I had a minor surgery. You don't need to..."

"What are you doing? Let go of her!"

Landon came running over with a lunchbox, pulled me behind him, and stared seriously at Easton.

Easton flexed his fingers, glancing between us.

I knew this was his expression when he was furious.

He then said, "Rylee, explain it."