A Love Gone Cold

I didn't sleep well that night. Tossing and turning, I woke up over and over, with sweat all over my forehead.

My mind was in chaos. I even called the hospital, and only after they assured me everything was fine did I try to sleep again. My heart kept pounding like something bad was about to happen.

I stayed awake the entire night.

The first thing I did after sunrise was to find a lawyer to draft the divorce papers. Just as all the paperwork was nearly ready, the hospital called.

The voice on the other end sounded solemn.

"Ms. Salsbury, your brother just passed away. We're so sorry for your loss."

I froze on the spot, then ran as fast as I could to the hospital.

It was too late. Jordan lay there with a thin white sheet over him. There was no sign of life.

I threw myself over him, shaking his body and sobbing hysterically.

"Jordan, wake up! Look at me! Please, look at me…!"

"Ms. Salsbury, my condolences," a doctor said while patting my shoulder.

"How did this happen? He's been fine all these years. How could this happen so suddenly?" I grabbed the doctor's arm like a madwoman, desperate for an answer.

The doctor sighed. "His time had come. There was nothing more we could do."

Jordan's body was cold. I held his hands and tried to breathe against them, praying some of my heat would seep in.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice outside.

"Harvey, when will the bone marrow transplant be done? Jenna seems to be in a really bad mood lately."

My whole body went rigid.

Harvey's tone was laid-back. "What's the rush? You donated a kidney to me five years ago. Can your body handle another operation now?"

Tears streamed down my face. My heart ached so badly I could hardly breathe.

Their footsteps faded down the hall.

After sorting out Jordan's funeral, I carried his urn through the corridor. Passing one of the wards, I accidentally overheard an argument.

Harvey's voice was raised. "Did you pull out Jordan's trach tube?"

"Yeah. Hasn't Jenna been clinging to you all these years just for your money to treat that half-dead brother of hers? I removed the obstacle for you. What's wrong with that?"

"Don't ever do something like that again!"

I gasped for air. My eyes were bloodshot, and I pushed the door open. "Katie, how could you do that?!"

Katie clearly hadn't expected me to overhear them. She shrugged. "Being loved means you can get away with anything, right?"

For a moment, Harvey looked flustered. He crossed the room in a few big strides, grabbed my shoulders, and tried to soothe me. "Jenna, Jordan's death is a relief for you, too."

I laughed bitterly as tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn't resist slapping him hard across the face.

"Harvey, I truly regret saving you five years ago."

He stared at me for a few seconds before gripping my wrist tightly. "You're still lying to me? Jenna, do you even have a conscience?"

I kept saying I wasn't lying while he dragged me straight to the hematology department. "Carry out the bone marrow transplant now."

"No! I'll die!" I struggled with everything I had.

As Harvey shut the door, I screamed with all my strength, "Harvey, you'll regret this. You will regret this!"

The door still closed slowly.

Four hours later, the doctor came out with a grim expression. He said softly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Jackson. Due to complications from her previous illness, Ms. Salsbury didn't make it."

"What do you mean?" Harvey froze.

"Please accept our condolences." The doctor patted Harvey's shoulder and handed him two documents. "These were entrusted to you by Ms. Salsbury before her final breath."

Harvey's fingers trembled as he quickly flipped to the last page of the first document. Clear as day were the words 'Divorce Agreement.'

Tears streamed down his face as he turned to the second document.

It was a copy of the kidney donation consent form I had signed five years ago. At the back was a slip of paper. My handwriting was messy and uneven.

"Harvey, if there's a next life, let's never meet again."