My Death Countdown

On our wedding anniversary, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I only had three months to live.

I planned to tell my husband, Tobias Wright, but I accidentally heard a conversation between him and his mother, Joanna Wright, when I was outside the study.

"Mom, she's finally going to die. I've been waiting for that day for five years."

"Don't rush, Tobias. Once she's gone, her heart can be given to Jolie."

So I realized that they had an evil plan when Tobias decided to marry me. They had just wanted my healthy heart.

I laughed. Then I decided that I would give them a taste of their own medicine for their five years of 'anticipation.'

...

"Ms. Jenessa Wright, here are the test results. You have advanced pancreatic cancer, and you have about... three months."

The doctor's words were like a dull blade, cutting through my heart relentlessly.

It was our fifth wedding anniversary that day.

I called Tobias and wanted to tell him the news, but he told me that he had dinner with some clients and let me have something simple on my own.

It was quiet on the other end of the line, without any background noise. It didn't sound like he was at a business dinner.

Clutching my phone, I wandered home dejectedly.

The house was unsettlingly silent. I didn't see Joanna or Tobias's sister, Jolie Wright.

I changed my shoes and was about to go to my room and have a rest when I heard hushed voices from the study.

I thought Tobias had come home earlier than expected and was about to open the door when I heard Joanna's voice. "Tobias, how are things going?"

I paused.

Tobias's voice on the phone sounded excited. "Mom, it's done. The doctor has agreed to do as we said, and she will receive the report today. She won't survive over three months."

My blood froze instantly.

What report? What were they talking about?

I held my breath and pressed my ear against the cold door.

I heard Joanna let out a long, relieved sigh. She said with satisfaction, "That's great. After five years, we finally have hope to change Jolie's heart."

Tobias's voice softened on the other end of the line. "You are right, Mom. She's finally going to die. I've been waiting for this day for five years."

"Don't rush, Tobias," Joanna said. "Once she's gone, then her heart can legitimately be used for Jolie. Over these three months, you must keep her content and never arouse her suspicion. Above all, the heart donation consent must be obtained with her willing and conscious agreement."

"Don't worry, Mom. She loves me so much. She'll do whatever I ask. Hasn't she been like this for the past five years?"

My world collapsed entirely as I heard that.

I had thought he loved me for five years, but it turned out to be a meticulously planned deception.

Tobias married me not out of love, but to get my healthy heart to extend the life of Jolie, who was weak.

I felt cold all over, and my limbs were stiff as if frozen.

My stomach churned. I rushed to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet until I was dizzy.

All that came up was bitter bile.

In the mirror, I saw that my face was ashen and my eyes were blank.

I laughed, and as tears began to fall.

I was married for five years, and I gave them everything.

When Tobias started his business, I used all the money my parents gave me to support him.

When Joanna was ill, I took care of her at the hospital without rest.

Jolie had heart disease, and I scoured the country for the best doctors and bought her the most expensive medications.

I thought I had found true love and a real family.

But I ended up like a walking organ donor.

The phone vibrated with a message from Tobias. "Happy anniversary, honey. I asked the servant to make you some soup. Remember to have it."

I read the message, and my stomach turned again.

I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine for their five years of "anticipation" in my last three months.

I wiped away my tears and carefully tucked the diagnosis report into my purse before leaving the bathroom.

I acted as if nothing had happened.

Back in the living room, Lucy White, the servant, walked out of the kitchen with some soup. "Jenessa, Tobias called specifically to ask me to make the soup for you. He said you'd been unwell lately and needed to have something nutritious."

The soup smelled good.

If it were in the past, I would have been moved to tears.

But at that moment, I just sensed an unsettling metallic scent in the fragrance.

I took the bowl from Lucy and said with a smile, "Thank you. You can be busy with your work now."

After she left, I walked to the window with the soup and unhesitatingly poured it into the flowerbed downstairs.

That evening, Tobias returned home with a cake.

As soon as he entered the door, he wrapped his arms around me. He said with a sickeningly sweet tone, "Honey, I'm sorry. Something came up at the last minute at work, so I came home late. Happy anniversary."

An unfamiliar woman's perfume lingered on him. It wasn't mine.

"It's okay. Your work is important." I mimicked his gentle tone while looking at him. "I had the soup. It was delicious. Thank you, honey."

He looked pleased in his eyes as he patted my head. "I'm glad you liked it. Come on. Let's cut the cake."

He lit the candles, turned off the lights, and pulled me close to make a wish.

In the candlelight, his profile was as handsome as ever, but I knew there was a vile heart beneath that exterior.

"Tobias," I said softly, "I went for a check-up at the hospital today."

Tobias was holding the knife to cut the cake. He paused momentarily before he resumed naturally.

He asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No. I've just been feeling tired lately and wanted to get checked out," I said, lowering my eyes. I sounded vulnerable in my voice. "The doctor said it was nothing serious. I just have a bit of anemia, and he asked me to have more rest."

I could feel Tobias's relief.

"That's good," he said. Then he handed me the largest slice of cake. "You scared me. You have to take good care of yourself. You will spend the rest of your life with me."

The rest of my life?

He meant that after my death, he would take away my heart and live happily ever after with another woman.

The rest of my life was now reduced to three months.

I took a small piece of the cake, and it tasted sickeningly sweet.

"Oh, by the way," Tobias seemed to say casually, "Jolie's condition has worsened. The doctor says she might need a heart transplant."

Here it came.

I set down my fork and looked at him with concern. "Is it so serious? Have you found a suitable donor?"

Tobias shook his head. His eyebrows were furrowed in distress. "It's not easy. None of our family members is a match. We're waiting on news from the organ donation registry, but the chances are slim."

As he spoke, he held my hand and looked at me intensely. "Jenessa, you've always been kind. You understand me the most. Right?"

I looked into Tobias's eyes, full of expectation. But I sneered in my mind.

He was testing me and hoping that I'd voluntarily offer to donate my heart.

I held his hand, and my gaze was more sincere. I said in a tone more earnest than his, "Tobias, don't worry. Jolie is like my sister. I would do anything to save her."

Tobias's eyes lit up instantly, and his breath quickened. "Jenessa, you..."

I cut him off and continued, "Let's reach out to more contacts and ask more hospitals overseas. There must be a way. Money isn't an issue. I still have some savings that can be used."

Tobias's eyes dimmed immediately. He became a bit impatient.

But he hid it well and only sighed, "Jenessa, thank you. But it isn't about money."

"I knew it." I nodded and looked worried. "I'm just so concerned. By the way, I've heard that many people now sign... an organ donor card in advance, so in case of an accident, they can help others. I think it's very meaningful."

I noticed Tobias's Adam's apple move up and down.

He suppressed his excitement and asked tentatively, "Jenessa, do you think the same way, too?"

"Yes," I replied. I seemed to take it as the most natural thing in the world. "Life is so fragile. If part of my body can help someone else after I'm gone, that's a continuation of my life. Tobias, do you agree with me?"

"I do, of course!" Tobias blurted out. He hugged me tightly, and his voice trembled. "Jenessa, you're so kind. Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life."

I let him hold me, but a cold smile curled at my lips.

"Don't rush, Tobias. This is just the beginning."

The next day, Joanna brought Jolie over.

Jolie's face was pale. Her lips were devoid of color. She seemed to struggle for breath after just a few steps, as if she might collapse at any moment.

What an act!

"Jenessa," she said while smiling weakly at me, "Tobias says you're willing to..."

Joanna immediately interrupted her and feigned reproach. "What are you talking about, Jolie? Jenessa isn't well either. Don't bother her with such things."

With that, Joanna took my hand and looked concerned.

She said, "Jenessa, look at you. You've lost weight again. I brought you some herbal remedy I made myself. Have it before it gets cold."

She opened the thermos, and I sensed a strong medicinal smell.

I looked at the dark concoction and realized it was nothing good.

They pretended to care for me while eagerly waiting for me to sign that agreement.

"Thank you, Joanna." I took the bowl but didn't have it. Instead, I looked at Jolie.

"Jolie, sit down. I have something to tell you."

I pulled Jolie to the sofa and took out an envelope from my purse.

Tobias and Joanna's eyes were immediately glued to it.

I took out a document and handed it to Jolie. "Jolie, this is a small gift from me. Please accept it."

Jolie took it with a puzzled look. Her expression changed instantly upon opening it.

Tobias and Joanna leaned in. Their faces froze when they read the words on the document.

It wasn't an organ donation agreement.

It was a property transfer contract.

I was giving Jolie an apartment I owned.

"Jenessa, this... this is too expensive. I can't accept it." Jolie hurriedly pushed the document back.

"You must accept it." I insisted firmly, and tears brimmed in my eyes. "Jolie, we're family. As long as you're unwell, I won't be relieved. Take this apartment. You can sell it for treatment or keep it. It's a gesture from me to wish you can get better."

My words were so heartfelt that Tobias and Joanna could only force a smile of gratitude, even though they were unhappy.

"Jenessa, you're so good to Jolie," Joanna said.

She held my hand, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Having a daughter-in-law like you is a blessing for me."

Tobias chimed in, "Jenessa, thank you for that."

"We're family. Don't say that." I wiped away my "emotional" tears and then changed the topic. "Tobias, Mom, I actually called you here today to discuss something else." I paused and then continued while watching their expressions grow tense, "I wish to execute my last will and testament."