If You Only Had 72 Hours to Live

When he heard what I said, Zane was so stunned he forgot to greet my father, brother, and Hailey, who were just returning.

He rushed over and grabbed me, his face a picture of disbelief.

"Clara, you're really giving Hailey the villa?"

This confused me.

They had always sided with Hailey, giving her whatever she wanted, as if they would pluck the stars from the sky for her.

If I ever disagreed, they would never give me the time of day.

So why was it that now, when I was giving Hailey the very villa that symbolized the purest days of my love with Zane, they were the ones who couldn't understand?

My father and brother crowded around me.

My father's hand landed on my shoulder, heavy enough to make me stagger.

"Clara, I knew you were the kindest, most generous one!" he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Don't worry, we're just lending the house to Hailey for a little while. After she's gone…"

My brother took Hailey's hand, his eyes glistening with tears. "Hailey, did you hear that? Clara is giving you the house, too. This is what families do—we help each other."

Help each other?

Dear Father and brother, do you really think Hailey would ever help me?

You've never seen what lies beneath her false mask.

Just like right now, sitting in her wheelchair, she gave me the middle finger, a triumphant smile on her face.

Zane had his phone out in an instant. "John? Zane Pierce. I need you at the villa. Now. We're signing."

He was so anxious, as if he expected me to back out at any second.

The metallic taste of blood rose in my throat. I reached for the glass of water on the table, but my hand began to tremble violently.

The glass slipped, shattering on the floor, sending shards flying everywhere.

"Clara, why are you so clumsy? And you call yourself a writer? Look at you, hands trembling so badly you can barely hold a pen! Giving the publishing rights to Hailey is the best thing for them!" Ethan said with a frown.

I stared at my trembling hands and finally, unable to stop myself, I looked at them.

"Father, brother…" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "If it were me who was dying… would you even care?"

But my brother just waved a dismissive hand.

"You're just stressed lately. Relax! Look at you, you're perfectly healthy—you've got great color in your cheeks."

"It's Hailey you should be worried about. Look how thin she's gotten. It just breaks your heart."

As he spoke, my father stroked Hailey's head.

"Exactly!" Olivia chimed in. "You're strong and healthy, Mommy. Aunt Hailey is the one who really needs to be taken care of!"

Hearing Olivia echo their words, I stumbled. Zane must have thought I was about to cause a scene.

"After you sign, you should get checked out at the hospital. I'll have one of the interns take a look."

How ridiculous. A top surgeon, telling his wife to see an intern.

It's alright. I won't be a bother to any of you for much longer.

I turned to Olivia and said with a smile:

"Olivia, since this villa is going to be for Aunt Hailey now, why don't you pick out a room for her?"

"Do you want the ocean-view master bedroom, or your room?"

Olivia's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I really choose?!"

I gave her a faint smile.

"Once you choose a room, you can be with Aunt Hailey every day. She can be with you all the time."

"Think carefully about which one you want."

Olivia jumped up and down. "I want the ocean-view master bedroom! It's the prettiest! You're the best, Mommy!"

With that, she pulled her hand from mine and ran to Hailey. "Aunt Hailey, can we live in the ocean-view room from now on?"

My father, brother, and Zane watched the scene, their faces beaming with approval.

I turned and left, taking one last look back at them.

My father and brother were with Hailey, doting on Olivia, while Zane stood by, a smile on his face.

I wondered if he even remembered that he'd bought this house in the first place because I told him I wanted to live by the sea.

"This way, Clara," he had said back then, his eyes overflowing with love, "you can see your beloved ocean every single day."

But now, there was no trace of me left in his eyes.

I closed the villa door and walked away.

With only 24 hours left to live, I had nowhere to go.

The damp, salty air of the Sound washed over my face.

I boarded the ferry to the small island across Puget Sound.

The dizziness was getting stronger, my vision blackening in waves.

I knew I couldn't hold on much longer.

Before the darkness swallowed me whole, I fumbled in my purse for my phone.

With my last shred of strength, I made one final call.

Then everything went black. I knew no more.