The One Who Waited

Uriah thought he had lowered himself enough, but he still could not understand what exactly Irina was so upset about.

He said, "Irina, what more do you want from me? I saw all those messages you sent Sophie. Yes, Sophie and I grew up together, but I only see her as a sister, so why do you have to imagine things so dirty between us?"

He continued, "Ms. White is like a mother to me. You lied about having an ectopic pregnancy, and I didn't get mad. You went to the hospital today to spy on me, and I could still forgive that, so can you stop being so unreasonable already?"

"I'm exhausted. You should just leave," Irina said flatly.

"You're telling me to leave?" Uriah could not believe it.

This was their home, so where was he supposed to go?

Before he could process it, the phone beside him rang. He composed himself and answered the call.

"Uriah, Mom's coughing up blood. Please, come quickly! I'm so scared."

Sophie's panicked voice came through the phone, and Uriah immediately got out of bed. He said, "Don't panic. I'll be right there."

Listening to the sound of Uriah hurriedly getting dressed and then leaving the apartment, Irina closed her eyes.

...

At the hospital, Uriah held Beth's hand, his face full of concern.

Beth opened her cloudy eyes and looked at Uriah pleadingly. "Uriah, the only thing I can't rest easy about is Sophie. I know this is an outrageous request, but I'm begging you... Could you marry Sophie and take care of her for the rest of her life?"

At those words, Uriah froze. He could take care of Sophie for life, but there was no way he could marry her. Besides, he had sworn that he would never abandon Irina.

Seeing Uriah's conflicted expression, Beth immediately started coughing violently. Blood once again soaked the tissue Uriah handed her.

Sophie cried as she tried to comfort Beth. "Mom, Uriah is already married. Please don't put him in such a difficult position."

"But you two are meant to be together. It's all my fault... I shouldn't have taken you abroad. It's all my fault..."

As Beth grew more agitated and struggled to breathe, Uriah stopped hesitating and tightly grasped Sophie's hand.

"Ms. White, I promise you that I'll marry Sophie. I'll take care of her for the rest of her life."

"Y-You have to swear... S-Swear on it..."

Somehow finding strength, she clutched Uriah's shirt tightly.

Uriah had no choice but to raise three fingers. "I swear I will marry Sophie. If I ever break this promise, may I die a terrible death."

Hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Beth's gaunt face. "I don't have much time left. You have to have the wedding before I die."

Perhaps from talking too much, Beth soon fell unconscious again.

Outside the hospital, Uriah sat on a bench, smoking, something he rarely did.

Sophie came over with two cups of coffee and sat down beside him. "Uriah, I know Mom's request is outrageous, but she's dying, and I don't want her to leave with regrets.

"Don't worry, though. It'll be a fake marriage. I'll explain everything to Irina myself."

"There's no need for that. I'll tell her myself. She's understanding, and she won't be upset."

"Are you sure she won't be upset? But she..." Sophie trailed off hesitantly.

"What about her? Did she message you again?"

Before Sophie could answer, Uriah grabbed Sophie's phone and opened the chat app.

The text read, [Sophie, you witch. Why won't your mom just die already?]

Looking at that message, Uriah almost smashed the phone. He never imagined Irina could be this vicious, because she had never been like this before.

"Don't be angry, Uriah. Irina just loves you too much."

As Sophie cried pitifully, Uriah put out his cigarette and pulled her into his arms. "She's gone too far. I'll make sure she apologizes to you."

Sophie nodded with a choked sob, but in her eyes, hidden from Uriah's view, swirled a triumphant gleam of calculation.