Let's Not Meet Again

I shook my head without speaking, focusing on picking at my food. Just moments ago, I had signed a surgical consent form for a private hospital overseas.

Being trapped in that cave for so long had allowed toxins to permeate every part of my body. Not only was I unable to speak, but my vision and hearing were now also failing. My health was in a terrible state.

The hospital advised me to eat well and take in more nutrients over the next few days. They were concerned I wouldn't last until the surgery scheduled in seven days. I needed to eat more, to have enough strength to endure until then, to appear on Zac's dissection table.

Zac's colleagues tried to ease the tension, acting as if nothing had happened. In between the clinking of glasses, they all received text messages. "Zac, the boss said that an overseas partner is bringing in a case of toxic transformation in seven days. The report sounds a lot like your wife's condition."

Zac was taken aback, quickly glanced at his phone and grabbed his coat to leave. "Liz, stay here. I'll visit that overseas facility. The case is similar to yours; maybe I can find a way to treat you."

A colleague stopped him. "The surgery has a 95% failure rate and the patient has already signed a body donation consent form. The surgery is likely to fail and the body will be sent to our research institute that day. You can wait at the institute, no need to go all the way there."

"Besides, aren't you already busy enough taking care of your wife? What if she recovers and tries to take advantage of you?"

Zac clenched his fists, looking tangled.

I curled the corner of my mouth into a wry smile. As I was about to tell Zac to stop pretending sarcastically, Carmen rolled her eyes and spoke impatiently. "Zac, don't forget we have a group assignment next week. If you're not there, how am I supposed to finish it alone?"

Zac pondered for a while before finally relaxing his fists. He crouched carefully in front of my wheelchair. "Liz, I'm sorry. I have too much work. I can't personally go to see the patient but don't worry. Once the body is sent here, I'll find a way to treat you."

I looked into his eyes, but my eyes looked through him to the dark future. "Well, no hurry."

Carmen tapped the edge of the glass impatiently under the influence of alcohol. "How annoying! Talking about work on a day off! Are we still drinking or what?"

Zac gazed at me, his eyes full of sincerity. "Liz, let me take you home to rest."

I saw Carmen's lip print on his shirt collar as he leaned down. That flamboyant, fiery red had once been my favorite shade, but I hadn't worn lipstick since the incident. As if reacting instinctively, I pushed Zac and forcefully wheeled myself away.

I was wracked with pain when I woke up at dawn. Still, there was still no one beside me. The body donation application form remained on the bedside table.

Last night, the pain had overwhelmed me and I had passed out without tidying up. If Zac had returned to our room, he would have discovered everything. A cold realization hit me and I dialed his number.

Zack answered with a heavy, drunken voice. "Hello, who is it? Liz … are you awake? I'm seeing some friends off; I'll be right back. You, wait for me … "

I let out a bitter laugh. What was I so worried about earlier? I had feared he might see the organ donation form.

Last night, he was comforting someone else's sorrow with his new bride. How could he possibly waste such a romantic wedding night on a useless person like me? Zac wouldn't even bother stepping into my room. Even if I plastered my body donation form on my forehead, he wouldn't care.