Fredrinn was on the couch when I walked in.

My twin was curled up against him, way too close, feeding him fruit like she owned him. She was smiling, calm, satisfied. Like she’d already won and was just waiting for the prize to stop breathing.

“Lesley!” Fredrinn jumped up fast, like he’d been rehearsing this. His face lit up, guilty and hopeful at the same time. He shoved a small gift box toward me. “I got you something. If you take this, it means you agree. You’ll let me stay with her for a while so she can help you. Just say yes. Please.”

I stared at the box. Didn’t move. Didn’t reach for it.

“I don’t need the gift,” I said. My lips were shaking but I kept my voice flat. “I’ll agree even without it.”

He froze. “You really mean that?”

“Yes,” I said. Each word hurt coming out.

My twin was up in a second. She grabbed my arm like we were sisters again, like she hadn’t been slowly killing me. Her smile was bright and fake.

“Good,” she said sweetly. “Then let’s all be nice, okay? No jealousy. Fredrinn’s just helping me live my dream. He promised me one month. After that, you’ll be fine.”

I pulled my arm out of her grip. Slowly.

“I won’t be jealous.”

Fredrinn finally relaxed. He rushed to the kitchen, came back with a bowl of soup like this was some happy family scene. He smiled at me, proud of himself.

“I made this for you. It’s good for your blood. Eat a little.”

It smelled warm. Familiar. I wanted to trust him. I took one sip.

My throat burned instantly.

“No,” I gasped, grabbing my chest. My skin went cold. “Shrimp. You put shrimp in this. Fredrinn, I’m allergic! I told you. You know this.”

He went pale. “I thought… I thought it was peanuts. I mixed it up.”

My twin tilted her head, pretending to be helpful. “No, you’re confused. I’m allergic to peanuts. You remembered that, right? I told you last week.”

Everything went blurry.

Pain tore through my chest. Sharp. Deep. Like something was ripping me open from the inside. He remembered her allergy. Not mine.

The last thing I heard was him yelling my name like it mattered now.

When I woke up, I was back in a hospital bed. Again.

Fredrinn was sitting beside me. His eyes were red. He was holding my hand too tight, like he was scared I’d disappear.

“I’m sorry,” he said fast. “It was a mistake. Please believe me. I canceled everything. For the next few days, it’s just you. I swear. I won’t let this happen again. Please forgive me.”

I turned my face away.

“You don’t need to say sorry,” I said quietly. “You already belong to her. Just remember what she likes now. Take care of her. And Fredrinn… stay out of my life. I mean it.”

He shook his head, panicking. “What are you talking about? This thing with her isn’t real. It’s just a deal. One month. I’m pretending so she’ll save you. Don’t twist it. You’re my wife. You’re the one I love.”

He reached for my face.

I pulled the blanket up instead.

“I’m tired,” I whispered. “I need to sleep.”

His hand stayed in the air for a second. Then he pulled back and stood up.

“Fine,” he said. “Rest.”

The door closed behind him. The sound felt heavier than a gunshot.

I opened my eyes after he left. Tears slid into my pillow, silent, useless. I knew the truth. I didn’t have much time left. Aplastic anemia was eating me alive, slow and patient.

I forced myself out of bed later. Every step hurt. I went to the closet and dragged out an old dusty box hidden in the back.

Inside was my whole life with him.

Movie tickets from our first date. A cheap bracelet he bought me at a night market when he still smiled like a normal man. Polaroids from trips before blood, guns, and deals replaced love.

In every photo, I was smiling.

And his arms were always around me.

My chest felt tight. I spent the whole night going through that box, touching every stupid little thing like it was the last time I’d ever get to. By dawn, I dragged the box outside and lit a small brazier. One by one, I threw the memories in the fire.

The flames were climbing when a voice cut through the air.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Before I could even move, my twin came storming at me and shoved me hard. The brazier tipped, hot coals flying everywhere. A few landed on my arm. I gasped, pain ripping through me.

“Miya—” I stumbled back, clutching my arm.

She didn’t even slow down. She lunged at me, eyes burning with that fake hurt she always wore. “If you don’t want me here, just say it! Why are you burning my stuff?”

Her voice was all venom wrapped in sugar, but I saw it. The satisfaction.

The yelling drew Fredrinn out. He ran up and grabbed her like she was the one in danger, shoving me back without even touching her. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

She clung to his chest, trembling, tears already streaked down her cheeks. “Fredrinn, she hates me so much she started burning my stuff! Look at it! She doesn’t want me here!”

His eyes hit me for the first time in weeks, and I froze. But it wasn’t love I saw. It was disappointment.

“Lesley… how could you? After everything she’s done for you, after she agreed to help with your treatment… this is how you treat her?”

I felt my throat tighten. Couldn’t breathe. I bent down and picked a charred scrap from the ashes, a corner of a photo. My hands were shaking so bad I almost dropped it.

“Look at this,” I said, voice breaking. “These aren’t her things. They’re mine. Our memories.”

The photo was from last winter. Fredrinn had wrapped his scarf around me, my cheeks red, my eyes bright.

For a second, he froze. “Why… why would you burn these?”

“Because they’re rotten,” I said, tears blurring my eyes. I tossed it back into the fire. “I don’t want them anymore.”

“No, Lesley! These are ours. You said we’d look at them when we were old. Why throw them away?”

I gave a tiny, broken smile. “Don’t you get it? Fredrinn… I’m dy—”

“Fredrinn… my hand. I think I burned it when the brazier fell.” My twin’s voice cut in, sharp and fake again.

Just like that, he was gone. Dropped my hand like it meant nothing. His eyes were all over her now, fussing, protecting, caring. “Let’s get you inside. I’ll put ointment on it.”

With his arm wrapped around her, he walked her in. Didn’t even glance back.

My arms burned, but I didn’t care. I dragged myself back to my room, pulled out the first-aid kit, and poured alcohol on the cotton. The sting hit like a punch, almost knocking the air out of me.

Still, it wasn’t as sharp as watching Fredrinn forget me, piece by piece.

Back then, he’d freak out over the tiniest thing. A paper cut and he’d be panicking, dragging me to the infirmary like I was dying. I used to laugh at how over the top he was. Secretly, I loved it. He made me feel like I mattered.

Now, he didn’t even notice the burns. Didn’t even ask. He just walked away with my twin, like I was invisible.

That night I closed my eyes and let the tears come. They slid down my face and onto my arms, burning on the fresh wounds. I bit my lip to keep from screaming, but even that sting wasn’t as sharp as the ache in my chest.

The next couple of days proved I’d completely fallen in his world. My twin clung to him like glue. He couldn’t go five steps without her pulling him back.

At dinner, she pouted like a spoiled kid, nudging his arm. “Fredrinn, feed me the shrimp. You know it tastes better when you do it.”

I pushed my food around, quiet. He picked up the shrimp, fed her. She leaned into him, smiling like I wasn’t even there.

On the couch later, she curled up against his chest while a movie played. “Hold me tighter. I hate the loud parts.”

He just tightened his arms around her. No hesitation. Not a second for me.

Every time I walked by, she’d tilt her head at me, all sweet and fake. “Lesley, you promised, right? You don’t mind if we’re close?”

I forced a tiny smile. “Not at all.”

That became my answer for everything. I wasn’t even sure if I was lying or telling the truth anymore.

The truth was my body was falling apart.

She was supposed to be my bone marrow donor. My own blood. The one person who could save me. But she dangled it like a trophy, a game I was always losing.

...

That evening I looked in the mirror. Pale. Weak. I might not even have the strength to stand soon. That’s when I made a decision.

I needed one last picture. A photo for my funeral. So even if Fredrinn forgot my face, he’d see me once more. Alive. Smiling. Me.

“Miss, you’ve got a really graceful face. ID? Graduation?”

I stared straight into the camera. My voice was calm, but inside I was already gone. “For my funeral.”

The guy’s hands shook, like he wasn’t sure how to react. I didn’t explain. I just let the flash blind me, told myself this would be the one on my coffin.

When I went to wait for the copy, I froze. Laughter at the front door. That low chuckle. His voice. And her high-pitched giggle.

I turned. They were walking in, arm in arm, like some happy couple.

“Lesley? Why are you here?” she said, fake shock.

I tucked the photo in my pocket. “Just took one for my ID. What about you two?” My voice stayed steady.

She leaned on him, soft and sweet. “Photo albums are important for couples. We took a few days ago, now we’re picking them up.”

Fredrinn glanced at me. “She begged. I only went along. Once you’re better, we can make our own album.”

My chest tightened. I nodded, said nothing.

Staff called them over to pick photos. I tried to slip out. My twin grabbed my wrist. “Lesley, help us choose. You’ve got better taste than me.”

Before I could react, she dragged me to the computer. There they were.

Photo after photo. Holding hands. Smiling like they belonged. Sunset behind them as they kissed. Him hugging her from behind in matching white.

Every image stabbed me. My throat felt tight.

“Pick a good one, Lesley. Which looks happiest?” she chirped, sharp and fake.

I couldn’t speak. Then a loud crash shook the room. Shelves toppled.

Fredrinn lunged at her, covering her body instantly.

Meanwhile, a sharp corner of a metal shelf hit my shoulder. I screamed, pain ripping through me. Blood soaking my blouse.

“Fredrinn, it hurts!” My twin wailed, clutching her tiny graze.

He panicked. “You’re bleeding. We need a hospital.” He swept her into his arms, running toward the door.

He looked at me for a second, trapped under the shelf, blood pooling around me. Our eyes met. One, two seconds. Then he looked away and left.

I forced myself up, swaying, and dragged myself to the hospital.

The doctor frowned at my wound as he stitched me. “Why didn’t anyone bring you here? You lost too much blood. This is serious.”

I bit my lip as the needle went in. “I didn’t have anyone.”

He hesitated. “Weird… a young woman came in earlier with a tiny graze. Her boyfriend was terrified. He demanded extra checks.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “That was my boyfriend too.”

He froze, didn’t ask more. Just finished the stitches in silence.

Late that night I was in my room changing my bandage when Fredrinn finally came back. He froze at the door when he saw me struggling.

His eyes went wide at the wound. “Lesley, how did this happen?” His voice cracked as he rushed over.

I didn’t even look up. “The shelf hit me.”

His hand hovered over mine, shaking. “It… it was chaos. Miya was crying. I thought she got hurt bad. I didn’t mean to leave you.”

I forced a tiny smile. “You did the right thing. She needed you.”

“No, Lesley.” He grabbed my hand tight. His grip was warm, desperate. “You don’t get it. I only treat her well because of her bone marrow. You’re the one I love. Always you. Don’t push me away.”

My eyes burned. “I know. That’s why I didn’t blame you.”

He let out a long breath, relief washing over him. He carefully wrapped my arm, his fingers gentle. “Rest now. I’ll stay. Watch over you.”

For a moment, with his hands on me, I almost believed it was the old days. Back when he never left.

Then the ringtone split the silence.

“Fredrinn…” My twin’s voice, dripping with fake sobs. “I miss you. I’m scared… I can’t find you…”

His face twisted, guilt sharp. “I’ll come right away.”

He hung up and looked at me, torn. “She’s alone in the hospital. She’s afraid. I’ll come back after she sleeps. I swear.”

And just like that, he left. Taking the last warmth from the room with him.

I curled up on the bed, hugging my knees. My breathing was uneven. My chest wasn’t the only thing that hurt. My heart was shattered.

He didn’t come home for two days. At first, I kept checking the clock, hoping I’d hear his footsteps. Then I stopped caring. I swallowed my meds on time, changed the dressing on my arm, and tried to heal quietly in my little corner.

That afternoon, I sat by the window with a book. The sun was warm, but my eyes hurt too much to hold it. My phone buzzed. I picked it up, and her voice poured through.

“Hi Lesley. Guess what?” My twin, sweet as poison. “Do you know Fredrinn risked his life for me?”

I froze. “What do you mean?”

She giggled, like showing off a trophy. “I said I wanted that necklace from the motorbike stunt show. He signed up right away. Didn’t even think. Drove so fast the bike almost flipped. When they shoved him in the ER, do you know what he yelled? My name. Mine.”

My book slipped. I looked out the window. Too bright. My eyes stung. But I didn’t let her hear me break. “So he hurt himself to make you happy,” I said softly.

“Yes,” she whispered, stretching the word. “He needs someone to take care of him now. Maybe you wanna come over?”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “No, Miya. He’s yours, right? You’re the one he chose to get hurt for. Then take care of him.”

She was quiet too long. I ended the call, dropping the phone on the couch like it burned my hand.

The trees outside swayed in the breeze. I stared at them until my eyes blurred. Then I picked up the phone again. My fingers dialed a number I’d memorized weeks ago.

“Hello?” a man answered.

“Hi. This is about the double grave plot, section B, number twelve. I wanted to ask if—”

The door slammed open so hard I jumped, nearly dropping the phone.

“Lesley!”

I looked up. Fredrinn. Pale, hospital gown striped, chest wrapped in thick bandages. Blood soaked through. Lips drained. Eyes burning like fire.

My phone slipped to the floor. “Fredrinn! You should be in the hospital!”

He staggered closer, clutching the door. “Why, Lesley? Why were you trying to buy a grave?”

I forced a little smile, even though my heart had stopped. “Not what you think. Neighbor’s dog died. They asked me to help. That’s it.” I tried to sound calm.

He sagged, face twisted in pain. “Motor crash.”

I rushed to him, holding his arm. “Don’t talk. I’ll take you back to the hospital right now.”

On the ride, his head rested against the seat. His lashes fluttered like a boy too tired to fight. I stared at him, memorizing his face, the way his lips parted when he breathed. My voice trembled so softly only the wind could hear. “This will be the last time I worry about you. After this, I’ll already be in the grave.”

At the hospital, I signed papers, tucked him into bed, adjusted the blanket. He drifted into sleep.

I stepped into the hall, phone in hand, voice calm. “Miya, come here in the morning. I have something important to do.”

Her laugh came faint, light, full of music and chatter. “I’m out, Lesley. I’ll drop by tomorrow. Don’t sound so serious.”

Morning came. She walked in, designer bag over her shoulder, hair perfect. More runway than hospital.

I gave her a small, quiet smile. “You came.”

She tilted her head, lips curling. “Of course. I wanted to see you… though let’s be honest, Lesley. I’ll never donate bone marrow for you. Why would I? You know I only want Fredrinn. I’d rather see you gone.”

“I know, cousin. You wanted me dead. Then take him. Care for him yourself.”

Her eyes flashed. She grabbed my arm hard, nails digging in. Pain shot through me, but I bit my lip and didn’t scream.

The noise woke Fredrinn.

Miya let go immediately, slapped her own cheek, then burst into tears. “Fredrinn! Lesley hit me! She was jealous! Told me to give her my bone marrow while you were asleep! When I said no, she slapped me!”

She cradled her face, sobbing. Her cries shook the room.