A Year of Punishment

When I pushed open the door to the rented apartment, there was a loud clatter from the kitchen, as if something had shattered.

I stood in place, watching as Zann sprawled beside his overturned wheelchair, straining to pull himself upright.

His face was flushed red, sweat soaking his forehead. The instant he saw me, his eyes reddened, his voice trembling with tears.

“Eve, I wanted to whip up something for you, but I’m so useless…”

He looked like a broken patient, completely stripped of the cold commanding presence he had exuded as a Don at the club earlier.

For a fleeting moment, I remembered the man he used to be before his farce. He was as proud as a wild eagle, arrogant and unrestrained.

Yet now, to punish me, he was willing to humiliate himself this way.

I walked over silently and lifted his wheelchair before kneeling to wipe his face and hands clean.

These practiced motions had become muscle memory, almost instinctive, for I had done them for the past whole year.

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist with startling strength.

His gaze fixed on the palm of my hand, seeing the gash, and panic flickered through his eyes.

“Who hurt you?”

I met his eyes, enunciating each word evenly, “I cut myself when I knocked over a bottle of wine at the club.”

His hand jolted as if burned, and he released me at once.

His jaw clenched. His gaze shifted nervously as he averted his gaze from mine.

Later that night, lying in bed, I heard his hushed voice beyond the door.

“Wandi, I’ve prepared the biggest cake for your birthday party tomorrow. Do you like it?”

His voice was tender, dripping in saccharine.

Wanda’s sweet, cloying laughter came through the phone.

“Zanny, you’re so good to me. But tomorrow’s also Ms. Steele’s birthday…”

Zann hesitated before replying, “It’s fine. I’ll make it up to her with another gift.

“Once the punishment ends, I’ll give her the best gift out there!”

Lying in bed, listening to their conversation, my heart turned to stone.

He had remembered my birthday perfectly, yet chose this very day to celebrate another woman’s birthday.

Silently, I rose and went to set his supper and medicine on the table before leaving.

At the hospital, the doctor looked at my test results and sighed.

“Your brain cancer has progressed too far. You have at most two or three days left.”

Nodding calmly as if I had long anticipated this outcome, I said, “Alright.

“If I die, send my ashes to my husband.”

“Here. This is a strong painkiller. It will ease your suffering. When its effects wear off, you will…”

His sentence was left hanging, but I understood.

When the medicine ran out, so would my life.

The next morning, I wheeled Zann to the hospital for his “follow-up” appointment.

He gripped my hand tightly, his fingertips trembling slightly. With a tinge of hope, he said, “Eve, do you think this session might bring good news?”

“Of course,” I said in a lowered gaze to hide the sarcasm in my eyes.

The doctor greeted us at the hospital with theatrical delight.

“Ms. Steele, good news! We’ve developed a breakthrough drug for paralysis. Mr. Lima has been approved for a trial with a ninety percent chance of recovery!”

Zann’s eyes instantly reddened. He grabbed my hand tightly as he choked emotionally.

“Eve, did you hear that? I’ll be able to walk again! I can spend the rest of my life with you! Once I’m better, I’ll make sure you become the most esteemed Donna once more!”

Silently, I watched his performance with a heart as cold as ice.

The doctor spoke up in a timely manner, “Mr. Lima, I need to conduct a thorough examination. It’ll take about three hours to determine if you qualify for the trial. Ms. Steele, please wait outside for now.”

I nodded and turned to leave the consultation room, stopping at the corner of the hallway.

Not long after, the elevator doors opened.

Zann emerged from the room in steady steps, dressed in a crisp suit, with not a trace of disability remaining.

He strode into the elevator and pressed the button for the basement, where the Don’s private car waited.

As the doors closed, I smiled coldly.

Just then, my phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see it was a message from Wanda.

[Come to the villa. Zanny has a “surprise” prepared for you.]