A Heart for a Heart

Outside the emergency room doors, I heard James Frost chuckling. "Also, tell her that her womb was maimed when she tried to protect our son, and that it had to be surgically removed to save her life."

The doctor's voice was trembling nervously. "Sir, are you really saying…. But your wife's already lost a son! If you do that, she'll never be a mother again! Don't you think that's too cruel?"

"I only need Nathan as my son for the rest of my life," James replied flatly. "As compensation, I will allow Wanda to be my wife forever… Now go, get that surgery done. I'm checking on Nathan now. I'm sure he and Sue need me."

He then paused, before adding as if an afterthought, "Oh, and be careful with the procedure. I'd prefer it if Wanda didn't have to suffer."

My thoughts were thousands of miles away, even as James' footsteps faded into the distance.

At my sides, my nails were digging into my own palms and drawing blood, while my tears rained.

In the end, the perfect husband and father Stan and I were so proud of was a phony, and the love he showed us was a lie.

The only truth was this deceitful plot he maintained for six years, ending with a meticulously staged car accident to take away my son's heart.

Nonetheless, my consciousness blurred as the sedative flowed through my veins.

I could feel the icy touch of machines digging inside my body, giving me more nightmares.

There was only pitch-blackness where my son stood, an emptiness in his chest where his heart should have been.

He was reaching toward me, screaming, "Mommy! It hurts so much!"

"Stan!!!" I screamed as I jerked awake from the nightmare and found myself staring into James' concerned gaze.

"Oh, you're finally awake." He sighed, his hands shaking as he helped me. "You were out for two days… Did you know how worried I was? I've already lost our son—I can't lose you too…"

My ear was pressed against his chest.

Hearing the racing heart inside, I knew that, at least, wasn't a lie.

James then continued, "The doctors just said your womb was damaged, and we can't have more children, but it's fine! It's fine as long as I have you."

He spoke ever so solemnly.

If it were before, I would be rejoicing in marrying a good man like him.

But now, I was covered in scars and missing a piece of myself, and his deception sickened me all the more.

I quietly pushed him away, asking, "Where's Stan? I want to see him."

James paused and sighed gravely as he patted my back.