Chapter 5

Jonah felt he'd swallowed his pride. He just couldn't figure out what Kayla was still mad about. "Kayla, what more do you want from me?" he snapped. "I saw the messages you sent Lily. Yeah, she and I grew up together—but that's all it is. She's like a sister to me. Why do you always twist it into something disgusting? And Ms. White? She's like a mother to me. I've told you that. "You faked an ectopic pregnancy, and I didn't even get mad. You showed up at the hospital today to spy on me—I let that go, too. What more do you want? Can you just stop making everything a scene?" Kayla looked at him, her voice flat and detached. "I'm exhausted. You should leave." "You want me to leave?" Jonah blinked in disbelief. Leave? This was his home. Where was he even supposed to go? But before he could press her further, his phone buzzed. "Jonah, my mom's throwing up blood. Please come over—I'm scared." Lily's panicked voice was on the other end of the line, and Jonah jumped out of bed immediately. "I'll be right there," he said without hesitation. Kayla stayed silent, her eyes closed, as she listened to him rush to get dressed and slam the door behind him. … At the hospital, Jonah sat at Sally's bedside, holding her hand, his face etched with worry. She opened her eyes, cloudy and weak, and looked up at him like she was holding onto her last thread of hope. "Jonah," she rasped. "I know this isn't fair to ask… But the only thing I can't let go of is Lily. I'm begging you. Please marry her. Take care of her for the rest of her life." Jonah froze. He could look after Lily—that much he'd always promised. But marry her? He'd sworn he'd never abandon Kayla. Upon seeing his hesitation, Sally started coughing violently. Blood stained the tissue he handed her. Lily rushed to her, tears running down her face as she tried to calm her down. "Mom, he's married. Don't put him in this spot." "But it's you two who belong together… It's all my fault. I never should've taken you overseas… I ruined everything…" Sally's breath became labored, and her emotions spiraled out of control. Jonah couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed Lily's hand and looked at Sally. "Okay. I promise. I'll marry her. I'll take care of her forever." "Swear it," she croaked, her fingers clenching his shirt tightly. He had no choice but to raise three fingers. "I swear—I'll marry Lily. If I go back on it, may I die a horrible death." After hearing that, a faint, relieved smile appeared on Sally's frail face. "I don't have much time left... You two have to hold the wedding before I go." Perhaps it was from talking too much, but Sally slipped back into unconsciousness. Later, Jonah sat alone on a bench outside the hospital, a cigarette between his fingers—a rare sight for someone like him. Lily came over, holding two cups of coffee, and sat down next to him. "Jonah... I know what my mom asked was over the line. But she's dying. I just don't want her to go with regrets. You don't have to worry. It'll just be a fake marriage. I'll explain everything to Kayla." "No," Jonah said quietly. "I'll talk to her about it. She's kind. She won't be angry." "You really think she won't be mad? But she…" Lily trailed off. "What? Did she text you again?" Jonah reached for her phone and opened her WhatsApp. There was a message of Kayla saying, "Lily, you bitch. Why isn't your mom dead yet?" While staring at the message, Jonah nearly dropped the phone. He never imagined Kayla could be this vicious—she hadn't been like this before. "Don't be mad, Jonah. Kayla just loves you too much," Lily sobbed, tears streaming down her face. Jonah crushed out his cigarette and pulled her into his arms. "She crossed the line. I'll make sure she apologizes to you." Lily nodded through her tears, but the look in her eyes—hidden from Jonah—sparkled with the satisfaction of a plan falling perfectly into place.