Your Borrowed Life Expires After New Year

"Jamie, you're here." Claire's expression transformed instantly from storm clouds to sunshine.

She took Jamie's hand affectionately. "You're always so thoughtful. So much better than some people," she said, shooting me a pointed look.

"Claire, you're too kind," Jamie replied. "Even though Elias and I broke up, we're still friends. You've always treated me like a daughter."

She then held an orange slice to Claire's lips. "Try this. I just cut it. It's really sweet."

Claire beamed, accepting the fruit. The look she gave me grew even more disgusted.

"Look at Jamie," she said. "She's so considerate. She actually knows how to care for people.

"Not like you. All you do is work all day. You can't even be bothered to peel an apple for me. If Elias had married Jamie, I'd have grandchildren running around by now!"

A flash of smugness crossed Jamie's face, though she quickly masked it with feigned concern. "Claire, don't say that. Myra has sacrificed so much for this family."

She then turned to me with a sweet, innocent smile. "Myra, don't take it personally. Claire just speaks her mind.

"Actually, Elias was just telling me how guilty he feels. You've given up so much to take care of him, even your dream of traveling."

She blinked, all wide-eyed innocence. "Didn't you always want to see the aurora in Svalgard? How come you still haven't gone after all these years?"

I stared at her without answering. Five years ago, when Elias was first diagnosed, I had already bought my ticket to Svalgard. I was finally going to fulfill my college dream.

But I canceled that ticket for him without hesitation. I gave up chasing what I wanted because Elias had held my hand and cried, saying he couldn't bear to be without me.

Now that dream was coming out of his ex-girlfriend's mouth like a punchline to a joke.

Claire scoffed. "The aurora? What a waste of money! She'd be better off spending that on supplements for my son!"

"Exactly." Elias appeared out of nowhere, casually draping his arm around Jamie's shoulders.

"Jamie's right," he said. "Don't stress yourself out so much. You don't need to worry about money. Jamie and I already discussed it."

He looked at me, his tone casual and matter-of-fact. "Jamie knows this amazing investor. I'm going to put our savings into it. She says we can double it in six months."

I froze.

Our savings were what I had scraped together over years of brutal hours at my studio. That money was meant for the down payment on our house, renovations, and his kidney transplant.

And now he wanted to hand it over to his ex-girlfriend for some investment scheme?

"Elias." I took a deep breath. "That money is for our house and your transplant—"

"I know," he cut me off with a frown, impatience creeping into his voice. "But there's a better way to grow it now, isn't there?"

He continued, "Jamie says it's a sure thing! When the money doubles, we'll buy a bigger place outright. Can't you think bigger for once?"

"Exactly, Myra," Jamie chimed in, leaning against Elias, her voice syrupy sweet. "I'm trying to help you both. I can't believe you don't trust me. That money's just sitting there doing nothing when it could be working for you."

Claire jumped in immediately. "Jamie's absolutely right! Myra, stop being so ungrateful! Elias makes the decisions. What gives you the right to question him? That's my son's money, and he'll do whatever he wants with it!"

I stared at the absurd scene unfolding before me, feeling like I was watching someone else's life.

"Elias." I looked him in the eye, enunciating each word carefully. "Do you remember last month when I wanted to upgrade my design computer? It cost 20 thousand dollars, and you said it was too expensive. You told me to make do with the old one.

"Yesterday I wanted to buy a 20-dollar bouquet of lilies for the house, but you said I was wasting money, that I didn't understand what being frugal means."