My Goodbye Drove Him Mad

Nellie snatched the remote back. The video rolled on.I was in a food delivery uniform, weaving through high-rises on an e-bike.People kept staring—my face was pale, swollen. Tired.The bike jerked to a stop. Camera steadied.My expression? Blank. But my voice had edge."What do you want from me? Quit following me. I'm not getting treatment. Don't you have other patients?""Sorry," Nellie said, voice small. "I'm just an intern. You're the only case I was cleared for. I won't get in the way. I just... I want to document what it's like. Late-stage kidney failure. That's it. Legal and everything."I sighed. Long and flat. "Fine. Film whatever. But your studio better cough up $500K."Nellie froze. Totally speechless.I laughed and twisted the throttle. The bike shot off.After a hundred deliveries, I was done. Slumped over the handlebars, gasping.Then the sky cracked open. Rain came down hard, soaking me in seconds.My stomach twisted.An umbrella suddenly popped open above

A week passed.Nellie walked in, guilt all over her face."Mrs. Palmer's funeral is over. Don't you... want to say goodbye?"I lay in the hospital bed, barely there. Shook my head."No point. I don't deserve it. Seeing me now... it'd only hurt her. Why did you save me? I should have died."Nellie pulled me into a hug, patting my back gently. "It's not your fault. Please stop blaming yourself. Let's get out of here for a bit. Anywhere you wanna go?"I stared out the window, eyes dull.An hour later, I was in a wheelchair, rolling through the garden below Pedro's old house."This used to be our spot," I said. "When we were kids. Every time we played hide-and-seek, I'd pick the bushes. He always found me but never said a word. He proposed to me right here, too."Nellie wrapped her arms around me from behind, camera angled at my face."Just try one more time—for him. Please."I looked back at her, voice soft."Then take a photo. I don't wanna forget this place."I insisted on

After the press conference, Pedro dropped a string of cozy pics with Wendy on his socials.They were wrapped up in each other, spotlight glowing, fingers laced.Caption: [With you, the rest of my life is enough.]First time in five years he'd posted from his real account.Everyone thought he was head over heels, totally in love.But he knew the truth.He still only followed one account—Ruth's.This post wasn't for fans. It was bait.He figured she'd see it. Get jealous. Snap. Show up.And when she did? He'd tear down her whole act, live. Let the world watch her fall.Only then would his mom finally rest. Only then would his wrecked heart get its revenge.But days ticked by.Nothing.Every hour, he checked the visitor log.That one follower? Still a ghost.***As the wedding neared, the internet drowned in hype over the so-called event of the century.The dress arrived at the villa. Wendy couldn't stop trying on the jewelry, over and over.Pics leaked. Went viral.The

Marriage had been Ruth's biggest dream.Now he finally said the words—but she didn't move.Something in Pedro shattered.His grief was bone-deep, eyes burning without tears. "This is on me. I never should've doubted you. Get up and scream at me, Ruth!"Weren't you always so damn proud? Look at you now... lying here like some broken doll—don't you see how wrong this is?"Get up. Marry me tomorrow. Please—I'm begging you!"Wendy burst in, heels echoing.She froze.For a second, just a second, something like sympathy flickered in her eyes.She stepped closer, voice soft. "Pedro, don't do this... Ms. Rackham's gone. She can't hear you anymore. Please, don't tear yourself apart like this. It's painful to watch..."He slapped her hand away, eyes wild. "Don't touch me! We were just pretending—no reason to keep the act going. It's done. The contract's off. I'll wire the money. Just stay away."Wendy froze, tears pooling."Pedro, I—""Leave!" he shouted, crumbling beside Ruth. "Rut