THE LAST PROMISED
PART 1
The room was quiet, save for the slow, uneven breaths of the man lying in the bed. The air smelled of medicine and the faint scent of lavender from the candle Mary had lit earlier, hoping it might bring some comfort. Kelvin’s face was pale, his skin stretched thin over his bones, his once-strong body now frail under the blankets.
Mary sat beside him; her hands wrapped around his. His fingers were cold, no matter how tightly she held them. She rubbed them gently, as if she could press warmth back into his skin.
"You should rest," she whispered, forcing a smile. "You look tired."
Kelvin turned his head slowly toward her, his eyes heavy but full of something deep—something that made Mary’s heart ache. He had been sick for months, and each day, she watched as the sickness stole a little more of him. But she refused to let herself think about the end. She refused to believe this was it.
"Mary," he said, his voice weak but clear. "You’ve done so much for me."
She shook her head quickly, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "Don’t talk like that. You’re going to get better. The doctor said—"
"Mary," he interrupted softly. "Look at me."
She did. And in his gaze, she saw the truth he had been too kind to say out loud.
He swallowed, as if gathering strength. "I don’t have much time left."
"No," she said sharply, her voice breaking. "No, don’t say that. You’re going to be fine. We’re going to grow old together, remember? We promised."
Kelvin smiled, but it was sad. "I remember." He squeezed her hand as much as he could. "But I need you to promise me something else now."
Mary’s throat tightened. She didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to think about a world without him.
"When I’m gone," he continued, his voice steady but gentle, "I need you to move on. Be happy. Find love again."
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Stop it. Just stop. You’re not going anywhere."
He reached up, his trembling fingers brushing her tears away. "Mary, you’re young. You have so much life ahead of you. I don’t want you to spend it alone, grieving for me."
She pressed her forehead against his, her breath shaking. "I don’t want anyone else. I only want you."
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if her words pained him. "You deserve more than this. More than watching me fade away."
Mary pulled back, gripping his hand tighter. "You’re my husband. I’ll never leave you. Never."
Kelvin looked at her with so much love, so much sorrow. "I know," he whispered. "But I need to know you’ll be okay. Promise me, Mary. Promise me you’ll try to be happy."
She wanted to argue. She wanted to scream that he couldn’t ask this of her. But the plea in his eyes broke her.
So, she lied.
"I promise," she whispered.
He smiled, relieved, and closed his eyes again. Mary watched his chest rise and fall, counting each breath, praying for more.
Because she couldn’t imagine a life without him.
And she would never, ever move on.
TO BE CONTINUED...