After My In-Laws Donated Their Bodies

“Doctor, my father-in-law is running out of time. He needs the surgery now! Didn’t you tell us you found him a compatible heart? What do you mean you don’t have it?”Helen Black, my mother-in-law, and I were standing at the door of the doctor’s office. We were begging for the update of a matching heart for Peter Black, my father-in-law.The doctor looked hesitant and conflicted. Then he sighed deeply and scribbled a phone number on a slip of paper before handing it to us.As Helen and I looked at the familiar number, we exchanged looks with each other. It was the number belonging to Nate Black, my husband.Helen’s face lit up with relief. “I knew it. I knew we could count on Nate. He must have secured the heart himself to make sure everything went smoothly. It’s okay. Peter can hold on a little longer.”I hesitated. “But I just tried calling Nate. He didn’t pick up any of my calls.”Helen smiled and said, “It’s okay. He’s probably just tied up with something. He’s a busy man. I’d

“Camile, where is Nate?” I grabbed Camile’s sleeve and asked.She yanked her arm free and wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Ugh, you reek of sweat! Stay away from me! You just don’t quit, do you? I told you, Nate’s not available. And even if you managed to track us down, there’s no way I’m letting you drag him away. My dad is having his surgery today. If anything happens to him, you’ll regret it!”“But my parents need Nate too!” I started shouting, “Nate Black, come out! Dad has had a heart attack, and Mom was in a car crash! You have to come with me now!”Before I could say anything more, a nurse rushed over and rebuked me. “This is a hospital. Please lower your voice.” I ignored her. I kept calling Nate’s name and frantically searched the place.Camile tried to grab me, but I shoved her to the floor.As nurses swarmed me, I finally found him.I grabbed Nate’s arm and tried to pull him with me, but he shook me off. “Andrea, I’m prepped for surgery. Do you realize how contaminated

My parents divorced when I was in elementary school. After that, I became the unwanted one.After they each remarried and had sons of their own, I became like an orphan no one wanted.Neither of my parents liked me. My grandparents on both sides only doted on their grandsons.I grew up in loneliness. Every holiday, while other families gathered around and celebrated together, I could only watch from the sidelines.I had always been so envious.Because I was always the one everyone forgot about. No matter how well I behaved or how good my grades were, to them, I was always unnecessary baggage.Even after I started college, I was still on my own. I kept to myself, always alone.I never imagined that Nate, the top student and the campus heartthrob, would pursue someone like me.It was just because I handed him an umbrella when he was heartbroken after a breakup.After a persistent courtship, I eventually agreed to date him.We were together for three years before he finally br

I crumpled to the floor and buried my face in my hands as sobs wracked my body.Hearing my cries, Nate and Camile came over.Nate rebuked me. “Are you trying to cause another scene now, Andrea? Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough at the hospital last time? Do you want another trip to the police station?”Camile looked at me with a frown. “Nate, is Andrea unwell?”She tapped a finger to her temple.Nate looked down at me in disgust. “Who knows? This is just embarrassing to look at!”Camile’s mother gave me a long look of contempt. “So this is Nate’s wife? I have to say, I expected better. He’s too good for her.”I stared at them blankly and asked, “Did your brother and sister just have their surgeries?”Camile’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why do you want to know?”I pointed my finger at Nate and let out a hollow laugh. “Wow. Just wow. Nate, you really outdid yourself. Let’s get divorced. Right now!”Nate grabbed Camile’s hand and turned to leave. “I don’t have time for y

Nate and I buried Peter and Helen on a rainy day. Light drizzle soaked through our clothes.Nate whispered, “I’m sorry, and thank you. I’ve spoken to someone at the police station. They won’t be pressing charges.”I looked at him and said, “Let’s get divorced. When can we finalize the paperwork?”Tears welled up in his eyes. He looked at me with a pleading gaze. “Andrea, I was wrong. Terribly wrong! Will you forgive me? Andrea, Mom and Dad are gone. Are you going to leave me too? Andrea, please don’t be so cruel to me!”I looked at the man I had once loved so deeply. Yet at that moment, I felt nothing. I met his gaze with cool detachment. “Nate, you’ve never loved me. Why do you want to keep me with you?”He grabbed my arm tightly. “That’s not true! I do love you, Andrea! I always have! I thought I loved Camile, but now I finally understand. You’re the one I love, what I felt for her was obsession!”I sighed and said, “And what does that change? I don’t love you anymore.”With