Ghosts of What We Had

"I've explained this to you countless times already!" Wendy Johnson, my fiancee, huffed. "Harvey has cancer! He only has a year left to live, and his biggest wish is to give his family a child who can carry on the family name. He saved my life before, so I must help him fulfill this wish!"

I'd heard this argument at least 100 times in the past month. The first time Wendy brought it up, I swiftly and adamantly expressed my refusal to give her my permission. However, she didn't give up there. She kept talking about it every day.

Initially, she broached the subject carefully to seek my approval, but it slowly evolved into her righteously arguing with me over the subject. It was as if I'd be the most heartless man in the world if I didn't agree to go along with her demand.

But who repaid a debt of gratitude by carrying a person's child?

Nevertheless, the month-long fighting exhausted me both physically and mentally. I no longer had the energy to attempt to change Wendy's mind.

Staring at the woman I loved and had been in a relationship with for five years, I asked hoarsely, "Wendy, we're getting married next month, but you want to conceive another man's child. What about me? What do you take me for?"

It was Wendy's first time seeing me look this worn and defeated. It looked as though storm clouds had gathered over my head.

Her attitude eased up a little.

"I know you feel bad about this, Nathan, but I'm the only one who can help Harvey now. I can't just watch him pass away with regrets without doing anything. And anyway, it's only going to be through artificial insemination. Nothing will happen between Harvey and me. Since you love me, surely you can understand why I have to do this, right?"

Hearing this, I realized Wendy had already made up her mind. She was going to give birth to Harvey Snider's baby no matter what. My opinion didn't matter.

Wendy had more to say, but she was interrupted by her phone ringing. After checking the screen, she stepped out onto the balcony with her phone.

My lips curved into a bitter smile as I watched her from behind. She and I were childhood friends. We'd been in the same class since elementary school, and we even attended the same college.

Ever since we were children, I knew I liked her. I'd silently accompanied her all those years, but she never reciprocated my feelings. It was only after our college graduation that she finally acknowledged my efforts and agreed to be my girlfriend.

Technically speaking, we'd known each other for over two decades. Once we became a couple, we should've been the person the other trusted the most.

However, in the five years since we started dating, I never once touched her phone, and she continued to take her calls away from me. Once, she was resting in bed with a high fever, but her phone kept pinging with notifications. Worried it would disturb her rest, I simply tried to put it on silent mode.

I'd only just touched her phone when she opened her eyes and saw me. She immediately confronted me accusingly without even asking me what I was trying to do. She refused to listen to my explanation, either.

That night, I spent the night on the couch alone.

All along, I simply thought that was just the way she was. I had faith that one day, I would win her over. Yet, even after five years, nothing had changed.

Now, she was even insisting on having another man's baby without once considering my feelings as her fiance and future husband.

Wendy looked visibly pleased when she returned. She grabbed her jacket and started heading for the door.

"I need to step out for something. Take the time to think it over."

My heart stilled as I listened to the sound of her footsteps as she rushed off. Harvey was probably the only person she'd leave in such a hurry for.

Unexpectedly, Harvey sent me a photo soon after. However, once I zoomed in on the photo, I could barely stay on my feet.