AS I LAY DYING

On Valentine's Day, I was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer, with less than a month left to live.

As I was engulfed in confusion and panic, Sebastian Nash knelt before me with a pained expression, saying, "I'm sorry, Betsy. I've fallen in love with another woman."

He then promised me seriously, "I haven't cheated on you. What I share with her is a deep emotional bond. We won't have sex, and my feelings and commitment to you remain unchanged. I will continue to fulfill my duties as your husband."

Clutching the diagnosis report tightly, I managed to force out a few words, "Okay. I will let you be together."

Sebastian was both surprised and worried as he embraced me, saying, "Betsy, don't leave me. I love her, but I love you more. Please don't be angry or make trouble with me."

I gave a bitter smile, "I won't."

As a dying person, there was nothing worth crying or fussing over.

1.

Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief and held my cold hand. "Why is your face so pale? Is your stomach bothering you again?"

I felt a cramp in my stomach again.

I wanted to tell him that I had advanced stomach cancer and was on the brink of death.

Despite his concern for me, I could tell his mind was elsewhere. "Is there something else you want to say to me?" I asked.

His gaze shifted from my face to his feet, and he hesitated before speaking.

I took a deep breath and told him, "Go ahead, I'm mentally prepared."

Sebastian spoke tentatively. His voice was soft, but it shocked me. "Jazlyn is nine months pregnant."

My mind went blank.

Sebastian scrambled to explain, "I haven't had sex with Jazlyn. The child was conceived through IVF."

Afraid of upsetting me, he tried to convince me with his flawed logic, "Betsy, you've always wanted a child but couldn't have one due to health reasons. When Jazlyn's baby is born, we'll raise it together. The baby will call you mom and will be ours."

I watched his lips move without truly hearing his words.

After what felt like an eternity, in his eyes filled with hope and struggle, I replied, "Okay."

Sebastian was stunned for a moment, then hugged me with surprise and joy, sincere tears streaming from his eyes. "Thank you, Betsy."

He hugged me so tightly that my stomach was squeezed, and a smell of blood mixed with stomach acid came from my throat.

I quickly turned my head away, feeling panicked and expectant, wondering if Sebastian could notice anything was wrong with me.

He was a specialist in oncology, focusing particularly on stomach cancer.

Sebastian was immersed in his joy, his eyes shining with a light I had never seen before. "Jazlyn is a wonderful girl. I promise you'll like her when you meet her."

I was disappointed, but I only smiled bitterly and relievedly.

Sebastian's heart had long left me. When I die, he probably won't be sad.