All Chapters of One Year To Lose You: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

MAYAThe bubbles from the water bath were soothing, wrapping around my skin and making my body feel light.Jay and I stayed inside the bathtub, my body resting against his chest. The warmth from his body, the slow movement of the water, everything felt calm.“I am serious about donating my eggs to you,” I said again, my voice softer this time. “For you to be at rest, I will willingly sign a contract that says I won’t lay claims to the baby. Please, let me do this for you.”His fingers were still in my hair, moving slowly, gently.He didn’t answer immediately. I knew he was thinking.Jay never rushes decisions that matter.“Okay,” he said finally.My heart paused slightly.“My baby girl will be smart and beautiful, just like the parents,” he added, his voice lighter now. “Thank you, Maya.”A small smile crept onto my face.“Just let me know when you are ready.”“I am ready,” I replied immediately. “I will talk to my doctor. Ask your lawyer to prepare the paperwork.”I closed my eyes fo

RAYAfter everything, nothing has changed.The way I feel about Maya was still strong and stupid. Dragging Lilly into all of this only made things worse.Because every time I look at her, I remember who I actually want.And tonight wasn’t helping.The moment Maya walked in, heels, dress hugging her body just right, I had to look away.Not because I didn’t want to look. Because I wouldn’t stop if I started.“I am sorry, Ray,” she said.“I shouldn’t have hurt you the way I did. Sometimes, things aren’t meant to be. Now that you are with Lilly, I hope things won’t be awkward between us.”She said it so easily, it cost her nothing.I emptied the last of my wine in one go, letting it burn down my throat.What exactly was I expecting?For her to laugh and say it was all a joke?That she missed me?That she wanted me back?God, I would have taken her back without thinking twice.That’s how badly my heart still wants her.“Not like it matters,” I said slowly, leaning back in my chair, “but we

MAYAIt has been over two months since the egg process.It wasn’t easy. Not even close.The injections drained me. The hormones messed with my body in ways I never expected. Some days, I could barely stand without feeling like I would collapse the next second.But even with all of that, I’m happy.Jay’s doctor, his lawyer, and Dr. Mike handled everything. Every detail was sorted out, clean and quietly. The only thing missing is that Dr. Mike still doesn’t know who this is for.Dr. Mike warned me.He said my body might not handle all of this well. He was right.Every day feels heavier than the last.The pain spreads slowly, like something crawling under my skin. The nosebleeds don’t come once in a while anymore. It has become part of my daily routine.Jay has been out of the country for work. But not a single day passes without him calling me.Video calls, voice calls, random check-ins.Sometimes, he just wants to hear my voice, and I’ve gotten used to it.Every time we talk, I make su

RAY's POVMy body felt like a bucket of ice had just been poured over me. The cold outside sank deep into my bones. The breeze made me stagger when I took a step forward without direction, like my legs had forgotten where to go.“I think you should go inside, Ray. It is cold out here.”Lilly’s hand rested lightly on my back.I didn’t turn immediately.“I want to ask you a question,” I said, with a low voice, “And please, be honest this time. Don’t lie to my face.”She nodded, sniffing as the cold bit into her nose. Her shoulders trembled slightly, but right now, I couldn’t bring myself to care.“Why did Maya break up with me? Tell me the truth.”She hesitated.Her teeth pressed into her lower lip. A slow breath escaped her, turning into mist in the air. I turned and fixed my eyes on her, sharp enough to cut through whatever excuse she was about to form.“She didn’t want to hurt you,” she said finally. “She thought you loved her so much, so she lied to make it easier for you when she w

JAYI turned to go inside but paused when I saw Jane standing there.She looked like a statue, hands tucked neatly into the pockets of her lab coat. Calm on the outside, but I could tell there was something unsettled beneath it.I still haven’t been able to call her my sister.The product of an ugly affair, I wish never existed.“So, I was wondering if we could have dinner by 7pm tonight. At my place.”I kept my eyes on her.She nodded, forcing a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Right,” she said after a pause. “I already know the answer. When will you stop blaming me for what two adults did? I am not my mum, okay? She is dead, and I am still being punished for her sins.”Her voice cracked toward the end.She was trying not to cry.“I never said it was your fault, Jane,” I replied quietly. “You just look like her. The resemblance is too strong. Every time I see you, I see the woman who broke my mother.”Her lips trembled, but she didn’t interrupt.“Mum loved her like a sist