The Last Tulip Blooms Alone

Blood wouldn't stop pouring from my nose. I wiped it away, dizzy.

[I'm not feeling well.]

Hemi's reply? Ice cold.

[Lying again for cash? I just sent you five grand. Get the meds. Now.]

I forced a smile.

[Busted. Be right there.]

Rain was dumping. No umbrella. I walked forever before a cab finally pulled up.

Outside her place, I called Julia again and again. No answer.

Had to call him.

He said, "She's asleep. Wait. Give her the meds when she wakes up. Don't leave."

The rain stopped just before she finally opened the door.

Julia gave me this smug little smirk. "Oops, fell asleep. Don't need the meds now. Hemi's like that—can't stand to see me in pain. He's coming back soon. He's always stuck to me and the baby. You should go. You're just an eyesore."

She shut the door like she won.

I chucked the meds in the trash. On the way back, I collapsed.

Woke up two days later, hooked to machines.

Dr. Carter looked grim. The infection had spread. Less than a week left.

I checked my phone—fifty missed calls.

Hemi: [What now? Run off with another rich guy? Get to this location. Now.]

Dr. Carter told me not to move. I yanked out the IV anyway.

Walking felt like dragging myself through fire. Every step threatened blackout.

First thing Hemi did when he saw me?

Handed me a reflector board. Wedding photos.

Sun blazing. Vision fading. The whole scene felt unreal.

Hemi in a suit, looking at me like I was still his whole world.

Twelve—he used his scholarship money on candy for me.

Sixteen—took punches in underground rings to buy me a necklace.

Eighteen—those flowers still sit in my crystal cabinet.

Twenty-two—he wore that same suit and told me forever.

Funny how your life flashes before you. Like a sad little movie reel.

I was stumbling again, carrying something heavy, when—

"Elise? What are you doing here?!"

The shout stopped me cold. I looked up.

Selena, our old friend.

She stormed over and slapped me.

My face stung, and blood trickled from my nose again.

"You've got some nerve showing up! Did you forget how you ditched Hemi? Now that he's loaded, you come crawling back."

Whispers buzzed around us.

"That's the heartless ex-wife."

"Shameless."

"She still dares to show her face."

I searched the crowd for backup. Hemi just stood there. Watching.

Didn't move.

Then he walked up, eyes cold. "Do you regret it?"

Regret?

I smiled, wiped the blood from my nose.

How could I regret it? I only ever wanted him happy.

I bit my lip, half-grinned, held out my hand. "Hemi, ten grand for damages. Fair, right?"

He lost it. Grabbed my collar.

"Is money all you ever care about?"

Then—bam—a handful of checks slapped across my face.