He Froze Me and Married Her A Wife's Revenge

I was dying of cancer, and my husband, a research scientist, worked around the clock developing human cryogenic technology.

Before they froze me, he held the son I'd nearly died giving birth to, tears streaming down his face.

"Patsy Swanson, the baby and I will be waiting for you when you wake up."

Eight years later, a breakthrough drug for my disease hit the market, and the hospital thawed me out.

When the doctor asked me to settle the medical bills, I blinked in confusion and told them to contact my husband.

"Call Professor Pruitt at the Graystone Institute. Tell him his wife is awake."

The nurse let out a small laugh. "Professor Pruitt and Ms. Swanson's child is already eight years old. Those two are famously in love."

"Maybe we should have the doctor check your head while we're at it..."

I assumed she was joking. I didn't think much of it.

Then Angelica Swanson showed up as the photographer assigned to document me, the successful cryogenic test subject.

An interview with Kieran Pruitt happened to be playing on the TV. I looked up at the screen, pride written all over my face.

"My husband is the best researcher there is."

Angelica shot me a startled glance, her pretty face darkening. "My husband Kieran has exactly one legally registered wife, and that's me."

——

Angelica set down her camera. The smile on her face had cooled considerably. "Who exactly were you just calling your husband?"

Her eyes held a scrutinizing look, edged with barely concealed hostility.

I froze. I had no idea what to say.

Angelica let out a soft, mocking laugh. "I've seen patients like you before. You get a contact number before the procedure, and then you latch onto Kieran, gushing about how grateful you are that he saved your life. But I know exactly what you're really after. Did you honestly think I couldn't tell?"

She looked me up and down. "But maybe you should take a look in the mirror first. You've been asleep for eight years. Your muscles have atrophied. Your face is white as a ghost. Looking like that, who exactly do you think you're going to seduce?"

My mouth opened, but my throat felt sealed shut. No sound came out.

Just then, a nurse pushed through the door. She took one look at the scene and rushed to smooth things over.

"Ms. Swanson, please don't take it to heart. The patient just woke up. Her mind isn't fully clear yet. She says things that don't make sense sometimes."

Angelica glanced at the nurse, her tone softening slightly. "Fine. I won't hold it against her."

I lowered my head to hide the mist gathering in my eyes. My voice came out rough and raw. "I'm sorry. My head hurts. I was talking nonsense."

"Before the cryogenic trial, I was already a fan of Professor Pruitt's. I've always admired him, so seeing him on TV just got me excited."

Angelica's expression finally relaxed. She picked her camera back up and continued photographing me.

"You look like you're in decent shape. Your file says you were frozen for eight years. Have you been able to reach your family?"

The moment those words left her mouth, every ounce of strength drained from my body. I sagged against the headboard.

Eight years had passed, but my body hadn't changed. My skin still looked like it belonged to a woman in her twenties.

My heart, though, had aged a lifetime in that single moment.

Everyone else had kept living, day after day, step by step.

I was the only one left behind, a ghost abandoned by time.

When we first got married, Kieran Pruitt was the youngest researcher at the Graystone Institute. His future was limitless.

I was a semi-famous female race car driver, bold and reckless.

The first time we met, his car had broken down on the side of the road. He was desperate to make it to a conference. I pulled up on my motorcycle and gave him a ride. Watching him onstage, speaking with that effortless confidence, was the moment my heart tipped.

When I went after him, everyone said we didn't belong together.

But Kieran held me close and swore, "Patsy, I will never let you down. Not in this lifetime."

After the wedding, he said a young researcher should stay focused on his work and that it wasn't wise to go public with a marriage too early.

So we kept it a secret for three years.

I thought it was romantic. I was naive enough to believe it was our way of protecting each other.