A Year of Punishment

I rushed to the city’s most luxurious villa district. This had once been our love nest, Zann’s and mine. Now, it overflowed with guests, bright and jubilant.

Wanda stood before a six-tier cake, wearing a glittering tiara on her head and a couture gown flowing around her. Like a princess, she clung to Zann’s arm.

She closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and smiled blissfully as she made her wish.

“I wish to always stay by Zanny’s side.”

Zann gazed at her with adoring eyes, a tender smile drawn.

He then retrieved a velvet box from his pocket.

My breath hitched.

I knew that box all too well.

Inside was a necklace, the token of our love he had given me on our wedding day.

A year ago, I had to sell it to cover his medical bills.

Back then, he’d promised he’d buy me something better someday.

Yet now, that very necklace rested around Wanda’s neck.

She touched it, feigning hesitation as she said, “Zanny, thank you for granting my birthday wish.

“But didn’t this belong to Neve? Won’t she be upset…”

A flicker of guilt crossed Zann’s face before he quickly regained his composure.

“It’s fine,” he said calmly. “She won’t mind. I’ll get her a better one.”

Applause thundered through the villa as I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching as my heart was carved raw.

He had already redeemed our token of love all along, just not for me.

I stumbled out of the villa as my phone began to vibrate frantically in my palm.

Wanda’s messages came one after another, each word like a knife.

[I recognized you at the club that day. Zann Lima is mine, and so is the necklace. You’re nothing but a stray dog.

[You might as well go die, Neve Steele.]

My nails dug into my palm as I stared at the screen. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

By the time I stumbled back to my apartment, night had fallen.

The strong painkillers were almost worn off. The doctor said once the effects were gone, my time would be up too.

The moment I opened the door, Zann greeted me as he rolled over his wheelchair. An apologetic smile appeared on his face as he said, “Eve, I qualify for the clinical trials!

“I’ll be able to walk again soon!

“Then, I’ll reclaim the Lima family! And you’ll be my Donna once more!”

I stared at the unappetizing plate of aglio olio, charred shrimp shells clinging to it, with my emotions tangled beyond words.

Noticing my blank stare at the dish, he scratched his head awkwardly.

“It might not look great, but it should taste okay.”

Then he pulled out a crude, handmade string necklace.

“Eve, look. I made this necklace for you. Once my legs are healed, I’ll find a way to buy back your necklace,” he spoke in regret etched on his face.

I accepted it, fingertips brushing its rough surface. My heart felt as if something was stuck in my throat.

After a moment of silence, I didn’t call him out.

I simply sat down and forced down the aglio olio, salty and bitter, bite by bite.

Early next morning, Zann rose before dawn. He changed into clean clothes and said to me energetically, “Eve, I’m going to the hospital for surgery, and will come back anew. I’ll make you the most dazzling Donna. Just wait for me.”

With a bitter smile curling my lips, I looked at him and replied, “I will.”

After he left, my brain cancer flared up.

A wave of excruciating pain washed over me as my vision turned black and I collapsed to the floor.

In my hazy consciousness, I seemed to have returned to our childhood.

Zann was braiding my hair, holding a piece of candy, smiling warmly as he said, “Neve, when I grow up, I’ll build you a castle and make you the happiest princess.”

Trembling, I mustered my last ounce of strength. With bloodstained fingers, I slid across the screen to send my last message.

[Zann, I’m not waiting anymore. My life repays you and Wanda. Bury me with my parents.]

Each word drained every ounce of energy from my body, as if pouring all the grievances, agony, and despair of the past year into that brief message.

When the message was sent, every shred of burden was lifted.

I closed my eyes, utterly drained.

My phone rang ceaselessly beside me.

Was Zann calling? Or more taunting messages from Wanda?

I could no longer hear. It didn’t matter anyway.

All I felt was exhaustion, so utterly tired, and all I wanted was to sleep and never wake up again.