Chapter 1

SEREIA

I stood outside even though my legs were tired.

I told myself I would go back in after five more minutes. I had already told myself that six times.

The porch light stayed on. I had turned it on an hour ago so that Lucas wouldn’t have to look for his keys when he came back home.

I checked my phone once again.

Still nothing.

My fingers tightened around it. He used to tell me not to call too much. “You worry for no reason,” he’d always say.

I lowered the phone slowly.

“He’s just busy,” I whispered.

He had been busy the night I asked him to stay home when I was sick too, busy the night I asked if he loved me. He is every time I needed more than he wanted to give.

My fingers tightened around it. I didn’t want to call again. I had already called too many times. But I did anyway.

The call went straight to voicemail and I could only let out a sigh.

“It’s okay,” I whispered to myself. “He’s just busy.”

I said it not even believing my own words.

Inside, the food sat cold on the table . I had reheated the soup twice already. The candles were still burning but I didn’t want to disturb anything in case he came home suddenly.

A car passed at the end of the road. I straightened instantly. But it didn’t turn in. My shoulders sagged.

I hugged myself tightly as I moved on my feet. The cold didn’t bother me as much as waiting for him did. Waiting for him always hurts more.

My phone suddenly dinged.

I sucked in a sharp breath and looked down at my phone.

Nothing.

It was just a notification.

I felt stupid.

I pressed my lips together hard.

“I’m his wife,” I whispered. “He’ll come.”

But even as I said it, i didn’t believe myself.

Because I had always known.

I had never been the woman he chose first.

My phone rang suddenly.

I gasped and nearly dropped it.

“Lucas?” I answered, my voice too fast, too hopeful.

“Sereia come to St. Catherine’s hospital,” he said.

The tone of his voice made my heart jump.

“What? Why? Are you hurt?” I asked quickly. “Lucas, please, you are scaring me.”

“Just come,” he said.

“Wait!! what happened? Are you bleeding? Did someone…”

“Sereia,” he snapped. “Just come.”

The call ended.

I stared at the screen, confused on what just happened but relief washed over me.

He didn’t forget, I thought desperately. Something happened, he probably couldn’t come.

That thought mattered more than anything else.

I rushed back inside the house to grab my coat and as I came out it started raining as soon as I stepped outside.

I hailed a cab and climbed in, my hands shaking in fear.

“St. Catherine’s hospital” I whispered and the driver nodded.

I toyed with my fingers, my knees bouncing without stopping as I kept thinking of Lucas being hurt, calling my name. I imagined him realizing how much he needed me.

The thought made my chest feel tight but warm.

The cab jerked suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. The driver sighed. “Car trouble.” He said pulling over.

My stomach dropped. “I need to get to the hospital as soon as possible.”

“You’ll need another cab,” he said and I could only sigh and as I exited the car rain soaked me instantly.

I looked around, panicked. No cars. No people.Just the deserted road. I mean it was past midnight.

The hospital’s glowed down the road and so I removed my shoes and ran towards it..

I slipped once and scraped my hand, but I didn’t stop. I reached the hospital doors breathless, soaked, and shaking.

I spotted Lucas immediately.

He stood near the nurses’ station, dry and composed, his phone in his hand.

Not hurt.

Not worried.

Just waiting.

I ran to him.

“Lucas” i whispered my voice cracked. “I came as fast as I could. Are you hurt? You didn’t answer my calls. I thought something”

“She needs blood.”

I froze. “Who?”

He looked at me his eyes were red and wild,like he hadn’t slept for days.

“Selena.”

The name knocked the air out of my lungs.

“What?” I whispered. “No. That’s not funny. You…you said she was missing. Everyone said..”

“She’s alive,” he snapped. “She’s upstairs. She’s barely conscious.”

I shook my head, stepping closer to him. “Then why am I here? Why didn’t you tell me? Lucas, it’s our anniversary. I waited for you. I thought you were hurt.”

“I did forget about the anniversary,” he said sharply. “Plus I couldn’t come because she needed me .”

The words stabbed me like a knife .

“She needed you?” I echoed. “How? What happened to her?”

“That doesn’t matter.” He said grabbing my wrists. His grip was tight and desperate. “What matters is that you’re a match.”

My heart raced. “A match for what?”

“For her blood.”

I pulled my hand back. “Blood? You want me to donate blood?”

“Yes.”

“For you?” I asked stupidly.

“For Selena!” he shouted, drawing looks from nurses nearby. He didn’t care. “She needs it now. Do you understand that?”

I flinched. “Lucas, I’m not healthy. You know that. I faint easily. I…”

“So what?” he cut in. “You’ll won’t die from giving a little blood. ”

The words burned.

“I’m your wife,” I said softly. “Tonight was supposed to…”

“Stop talking about tonight!” he snapped. “She could die!”

My hands shook. “And what about me?”

He looked at me and laughed. “You’re standing right here, aren’t you?”

I stared at him.

“You don’t care about me.” I whispered.

His jaw tightened. “I care about her.”

I felt myself shrinking. “You always did.”

He stepped closer, his face inches away from mine. “If she dies, I’ll never forgive you.”

My chest caved in. He would never forgive me. Living with his dislike is enough I’m not sure I could handle hate.

“I’ll do it,” I said quickly. “I’ll donate. Just…just don’t say stuff like that.”

He exhaled sharply, relief washing across his face. Not for me. Never for me.

“Good,” he said. “That’s what you’re good for.”

I nodded as tears began blurring my vision. “After this… will you come home with me?”

He didn’t answer.

“Lucas?” I asked.

He was already turning away. “I’ll be with Selena.”

I let out a weak smile as nurse came and led me to a small white room and I laid on the bed and staring at the ceiling as the needle went into my arm.

Blood filled the bag slowly and I felt lightheaded almost immediately.

I thought about the cold food at home.

I thought about how easily he chose her again.

When it was over, I felt tired and I couldn’t help but sleep I don’t know how long I closed my eyes to wallow in my misery but when I woke up I woke up to the reminder that I would never be loved.