Nathan sat beside Clarissa in the car outside the hospital, the building's cold glass reflecting the sky above.
He glanced at his phone again, no new message from Elena.
It has been days since she messaged and only to say she wouldn't continue treatment.
He had been elated
Not that he'd ever admit that out loud, not even to Clarissa. A small, dark part of him had breathed a sigh of relief.
This meant no more going home that made him feel guilty. No more pretending to be the supportive husband. No more lies to keep the home running.
If Elena was not fighting anymore then maybe the rest would resolve itself.
Clarissa leaned forward, adjusting her sunglasses and pulling the shield down. "You're nervous"
"No" Nathan said.
"You haven't looked at me once since we got here"
He shrugged. "I'm thinking"
She smirked but there was a trace of bitterness in it. "Of course. Thinking about your wife"
"She is still my wife" he muttered.
"For now" she replied sharply
Clarissa turned toward him fully. "Look, I'm not asking for much but we need to handle this before she changes her mind again. That text wasn't a planned decision, Nathan. It was a door left open"
"I know"
"She could start treatment again, drag this out. You know what that means, people asking questions, sympathy pouring in. You would be stuck playing the role"
Nathan flinched. "I said I know"
Clarissa exhaled slowly. "Then let's go in. Be gentle, let her feel like she is in control"
"And the papers?"
"I have them" she said, reaching into her bag and tapping the folder. "All we need is the right moment"
Nathan hesitated. "She might be upset"
Clarissa gave him a pointed look. "She has cancer, Nathan! She is already upset. You just have to follow my lead and do this with kindness, compassion. Let her believe it's her choice"
He didn't respond but opened the car door and stepped out.
They walked through the hospital corridors together, Clarissa's heels clicking softly against the polished floors.
Nathan's heart beat just a little too fast. Not with grief, but anticipation.
Closure. Clean escape.
At Elena's door, Clarissa straightened her blouse and plastered a carefully rehearsed look of concern across her face.
Nathan knocked twice.
A moment passed.
Then the door opened.
Elena stood there, pale and thin, a soft cardigan draped over her shoulders.
Her hair was pulled back and her eyes… they were tired.
But calm.
"Hi" Nathan said, mustering a small smile. "Can we come in?"
She nodded silently and stepped aside.
Clarissa walked in first, as if the room belonged to her.
"Elena" she said, voice already trembling. "Oh honey… you look… fragile"
Elena didn't respond, just moved to sit on the edge of the bed, her expression unreadable.
Nathan sat beside her, cautious. "We were worried, You haven't responded since your message"
"I have been tired" Elena said simply.
Clarissa sat on the chair beside them, folding her hands as if in prayer. "We just wanted to check on you and... Nathan brought something."
She glanced at Nathan, who reached into the bag and pulled out the folder.
Elena stared at it.
"He is not trying to pressure you" Clarissa added quickly. "It's just… after what you said. About stopping treatment. He thought maybe…"
Nathan cleared his throat. "Maybe you wouldn't want to go through all this while still being married to someone who...might not be strong enough for this"
Clarissa leaned in, eyes glassy with fake emotion. "I thought it might help you too. To make things easier, no hard feelings. Just peace"
"You think this would give me peace?" Elena asked softly, her voice low
They both blinked at her tone.
"I mean…" Nathan began, "you said you didn't want to be a burden"
Elena smiled faintly. "Right? A burden"
Clarissa placed a hand over her heart. "We only want what is best for you. You shouldn't have to worry about anyone else right now"
For a moment, silence stretched.
Then Elena stood up and took the folder.
She didn't open it. Just held it.
"Thank you" she said calmly. "I'll think about it"
Clarissa brightened, rising to her feet. "Of course. Take your time. No pressure at all"
Nathan stood as well. "We will let you rest"
Elena walked them to the door.
Clarissa hugged her, soft and lingering. "You're so brave"
Nathan followed with a weak pat on her arm. "Take care, Elena"
She didn't answer.
They stepped out into the hallway and Elena shut the door behind them.
Locked it.
And only then did she let her expression fall.
She stared down at the folder in her hands.
Her jaw tightened, her fingers trembled.
Not from weakness but from the flood of emotions rushing through her veins like wildfire.
They had come with tears and soft voices, with carefully chosen words and sympathetic eyes.
Clarissa even dabbed at her face like she was the one breaking.
She had heard them. And now they came to her ward pretending to care. They brought divorce papers.
She had wanted to believe that Nathan had simply drifted away. That life and time had dimmed their connection.
But betrayal?
That was different.
That cut deeper than the cancer ever had.
In their minds, they thought they were setting her free.
She sat back down on the bed, opened the folder, and stared at the divorce papers without reading the details.
Then she smiled to herself.
Let them think she's too weak to resist.
Let them believe they're walking away clean.
Because when the time came, she wouldn't just walk away.
She'd rise.
And they would never see it coming.
She slid the folder under her pillow.
Not as surrender but as a reminder.
They had no idea what they had just lit inside her.