She Burned the World to Bring Him Back

The next morning, Kenneth slipped the entire bottle of sleeping pills under my pillow and left before Summer woke up.

Half an hour later, she was up.

She came in to check on me first. No explanation for why she'd come home drunk the night before. She just told me she'd be home late again today.

"It's your birthday," I reminded her, unable to keep the hope from my voice. "Summer, could you stay home with me? Just for today?"

She froze for a few seconds. When she spoke, it was, "The site today..."

"Just one day." My throat tightened. "That's all I'm asking. One day. You can take a day off, can't you? Summer, it's been so long since we..."

"Patrick, grow up." She cut me off. "I don't run the site. I can't just take time off whenever I feel like it."

Maybe she noticed something in my expression, because she softened. "I'll come home early today. I promise."

After Summer left, the caretaker arrived.

I told him Summer was taking the day off and would be looking after me, so he didn't need to stay. I gave him the day off, full pay.

He left in good spirits.

Once he was gone, I pulled myself out of bed and made a birthday cake.

For Summer's first birthday after we got together, I'd baked one for her by hand. She said it was the best cake she'd ever tasted, because in her original world she'd been an orphan. No one had ever made her a cake before.

It broke my heart. I promised her I'd make one every year.

It had been a long time. My hands were clumsy now, and the result was lopsided, ugly. But I finished it.

I opened the closet and found my suit.

The one I'd worn the first time I met Summer. She told me I was the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

I changed into it, wheeled myself back to the bedroom, and turned on the TV.

The broadcast was showing Kenneth's game.

No surprises. Kenneth was named MVP.

On the screen, he stood beneath the spotlights, trophy in hand, his smile radiant.

"Thank you, everyone. This award means the world to me." He drew a deep breath, his gaze drifting to someone in the audience. "But today, I want to use this moment to say something to someone special."

My chest seized.

"Summer." Kenneth's voice went tender. "You're the reason I'm standing here. I won this MVP so I could tell you, right here, in front of everyone. I'm in love with you. If you'll have me, come up here."

The camera cut away.

Summer stood in the crowd, a bouquet of flowers cradled in her arms.

People around her whooped and cheered, laughing as they nudged her forward.

"Go! Go! Go!"

A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes. But she moved.

I twisted open the bottle cap.

First step. She glanced down at the flowers in her hands, almost shy.

I shook out a pill, placed it on my tongue, and swallowed it dry.

Second step. She lifted her chin, her gaze turning steady, resolved.

I swallowed the second pill. A sip of water this time. Bitterness bloomed across my tongue.

Third step.

Third pill.

Summer took ninety-nine steps to reach Kenneth. I swallowed ninety-nine pills.

My vision began to blur. I couldn't tell if it was the drugs or the tears.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

The chanting from the crowd swelled, louder, more rhythmic, deafening.

Summer tilted her face up toward Kenneth. He gazed down at her, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

I shook the last pill into my palm.

The moment their lips met, I put it in my mouth.

I closed my eyes.

The pill bottle slipped from my hand and rolled across the floor.

On the television, the roaring cheers were deafening.

But I couldn't hear any of it anymore.

...

Summer never kissed Kenneth.

The moment their lips were about to touch, a sharp pang seized her chest, and my face flashed through her mind.

She shoved Kenneth away, muttered an apology, and walked off through a chorus of stunned voices.

She called out to the System as she walked.

"System, I stayed by Kenneth's side and helped him win MVP. You said you'd restore my husband's health. It's time."

The System didn't respond. Summer didn't care. Her only thought was getting home.

Two months ago, the System had come to her out of nowhere, as if it had finally caved. It told her that if she stayed by the male lead's side and helped him win the championship, it would restore her life with Patrick to the way it had been.

Summer couldn't bear to watch the man she loved suffer any longer. She agreed without a second thought.

For two months, she spent her days at Kenneth's side — playing ball with him, shielding him from drinks at events, handling all the exhausting social obligations. Every night, she came home and took care of Patrick.

Each time she looked into those dim, hollow eyes of his, she wanted to tell him. Hold on a little longer. Soon you'll be able to stand again.

But she couldn't say a word.

The System had warned her: one slip, and the deal was off.

Almost there. Just a little longer. That was all she could tell herself, whispering silent promises over his sleeping face in the dead of night.

When you're better, I'll get on my knees and beg you to forgive me. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

Now, at last, the moment had come.

Summer had even bought a bouquet of gardenias — the flowers Patrick always used to give her.

"Patrick!" She called his name as she climbed the stairs. "I'm home! Look what I brought you—"

The words died in her throat the instant she pushed open the door.