My Husband Stole My Heart and Killed My Mother

Theodore’s eyes widened in shock as he urgently called out, "Faye, you can’t drink alcohol! Stop now!"

I threw the bottle to the ground and flashed him a smile.

"Theodore, you’re right. How could I possibly reject such a heartfelt gesture? So, I drank it all up, just as you intended. Happy now?"

With those words, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him behind.

Theodore reached out to grab me, but Rhea quickly stepped in his way.

"Uncle, my chest hurts again. I don’t know if it’s because Auntie scared me earlier…"

Theodore’s eyes lingered on my retreating figure for a moment, his hesitation palpable, but he didn’t chase after me.

That night, Theodore never came back.

I packed up all my things, set them on fire and watched the flames consume everything.

It wasn’t until the next day that he finally called me.

"Faye, I was wrong yesterday. I know your mother’s death is a deep wound and I shouldn’t have said those things."

"But Rhea’s heart isn’t strong. I’m worried something will happen to her and I won’t be able to explain it to her family. As her uncle, I need to take care of her."

I replied, my voice cold and distant, "It’s okay. I was impulsive yesterday. You should take care of her."

"You drank yesterday, so your chest must hurt. I’ll arrange for you to get a new artificial heart tomorrow. Rest tonight and I’ll come get you in the morning."

"Okay."

But the next morning, Theodore didn’t show up.

It didn’t matter. Not every goodbye had to be spoken in person.

I placed the divorce papers on the table and walked out the door.

At the hospital entrance, Theodore called again, his voice full of regret.

"Sorry, Faye, I have a patient who needs urgent surgery. I won’t be able to give you the transplant until tonight. I’ll send an assistant to pick you up."

"Tomorrow is our seventh wedding anniversary. After the transplant, I’ll take you out for something nice."

It was the perfect excuse, one that could easily cover up a lie.

What Theodore didn’t know was that Rhea had already sent me a message.

After being drenched in wine by “me” the day before, ruining her dress, Theodore, in an attempt to make amends, had taken her to a jewelry auction. He’d planned to buy her the final piece, a one-of-a-kind pink diamond necklace, the last of its kind in the world.

It was the first time he remembered our wedding anniversary, but it was for another woman.

"Okay, I was actually planning to give you a gift, too."

"Really? I can’t wait to see it."

After hanging up, I took one last glance at the sky, then walked into the hospital without a second look back.

Theodore, goodbye.

On the other side, after securing the necklace for Rhea, Theodore took her out for a candlelit dinner. Only after that did they rush to the hospital.

***

Upon arriving, they found out Faye hadn’t shown up yet.

He glanced at the clock. It was already 00:00.

Why hadn’t Faye come yet?

Just as he was about to call, his assistant came rushing over, holding a box.

"Mr. Dmitri, your wife isn’t home. Someone just delivered this. They said it’s a gift from your wife to you."