Colleen
"Hubby, can you lend me some money?" I asked my husband, Jared, my voice filled with uncertainty. His gaze bore into me with a mixture of anger and frustration.
"Why would I give you money? Do you think just because I agreed to marry you, I will give you what you want just like that?" he retorted, his words laced with resentment.
That moment had taken place two years ago, not long after we had gotten married. At that time, I was battling a severe illness, and my doctor had just delivered the news that a compatible heart was available for me. The prospect of extending my life through surgery had filled me with hope, but there was a significant hurdle: the cost. So, I turned to my husband, desperately seeking his support. However, he met my plea with stubborn silence, his resentment unabated.
I understood his anger all too well. Our marriage had been orchestrated by his mother and sister, leaving him with no choice but to marry me against his will. He didn't love me; he loved someone else—Stacey, the woman he had been with for four years and had envisioned marrying before I disrupted their plans.
Jared had been clear about his feelings. He professed his love for Stacey and insisted that nothing I did could change that. I couldn't help but hope that they had parted ways after our marriage, although I didn't delve into their relationship. My hope wasn't born out of selfishness but rather a desire for my husband not to be emotionally entangled with someone else. After all, who would want their spouse to be involved with another person? I imagined no one would.
For the time being, I was relieved that Stacey hadn't come knocking on our door claiming to be pregnant with Jared's child. I shuddered to think about how I would react if that ever happened. While I didn't love him, I still respected the sanctity of our marriage, and I hoped he did too. Though, deep down, I knew he didn't, as long as he kept his relationship with Stacey discreet, hidden from everyone but the two of them, I was content to look the other way.
I couldn't help but wonder why I had acceded to my mother and sister-in-law's insistence on this marriage. They had been incredibly kind to me, showering me with affection. Yet, the marriage had brought me nothing tangible. Well, almost nothing. I had gained a family of sorts—a far-from-conventional one. Still, I cherished my mother and sister-in-law, whom I had come to regard as my own. They loved me deeply, as if I were their biological daughter and sister. Their care for me was palpable, and I knew that if Jared ever wronged me, they would be unforgiving.
My own family had been fractured long ago. My parents divorced when I was eight, embroiled in bitter fights over money, or rather, the lack thereof. I had grown to resent money, regardless of how shiny or enticing it appeared. The divorce didn't materialize until I was sixteen, marking the end of their tumultuous relationship.
Both my mother and father had embarked on new families, seemingly content with their newfound happiness. You might think I'd be happy too, free from their constant bickering. Initially, I was. However, their newfound bliss came at a cost—they both seemed to forget about me, leaving me in the lurch. I couldn't fathom anyone being pleased about such a fate.
My mother declared that she didn't want me in her new family because I reminded her of my father's irresponsibility, while my father harbored a similar sentiment. He wanted nothing to do with me because I brought to mind my mother's alleged greediness. I was particularly disheartened by my father's rejection because, as a child, I had been a daddy's girl, seeking solace in him.
As a result, I lived alone, fending for myself for eight years. During that time, I managed to carve out a modest existence. I never asked for anything beyond having a roof over my head and consistent meals on my table. I worked while I pursued my studies, grateful that, despite the corruption plaguing our government, I was afforded a free college education. I dedicated myself to my studies, aiming to secure a future for myself in this harsh world.
My path to a college degree was longer than most, but I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Balancing work and studies had not been easy. I steered clear of unnecessary expenditures, limiting my purchases to essentials. Even when I finally secured a job, I remained focused solely on work, paying no heed to any potential suitors vying for my attention.
However, life could be unforgiving. Despite my hard work and self-reliance, a routine check-up due to breathing difficulties plunged me into despair. It was then that I received the harsh revelation that my heart was weakened, demanding utmost caution in everything I did. Dr. Gerard guided and advised me relentlessly to safeguard my health, but it seemed as though the damage was already done.
All those times when I had ignored and brushed aside my shortness of breath had proven to be a grave mistake. Dr. Gerard's diagnosis was stark—I had three years to live unless I underwent the expensive surgery. I was left with no choice but to accept my fate.
I had married Jared for the sake of his mother, whom I had grown to adore—Mommy Claire. She was a loving mother, a stark contrast to my own. She was also unwell, and I yearned to bring her happiness. Thus, I had reluctantly agreed to the marriage.
Now, two years later, Jared's indifference toward me was as palpable as ever. We rarely interacted, despite living under the same roof. He would leave before dawn and return home after I had already retired for the night. Nevertheless, I remained committed to my role as his wife. I diligently prepared everything he needed for work and more. His suits were laid out for him, ready to wear, although he had stopped adhering to my choices after nine months of marriage.
Even though he seldom dined at home, I ensured that there was food waiting for him should hunger strike in the middle of the night or upon his return. I had discovered his untouched plates in the kitchen sink on many occasions. To most, it would seem like a small gesture, hardly worth mentioning, but to me, it was significant.
If, after two decades, Jared came to accept me, I would cherish it. I was content with our situation, harboring no desire for him to love me. Such a sentiment would only inflict pain on him, especially if I were to leave him after a brief period. I was content to love him alone, to motivate myself to hold on for one more year.
I considered myself fortunate to possess the capacity to love someone, having yearned for that emotional connection since my faith in my parents had been shattered. For years, I had been solely concerned with my own well-being. Yet, now, I felt truly alive, despite the emotional pain Jared's detachment caused me.
I wanted to believe that he could change, but I refrained from entertaining such thoughts. I didn't wish to hurt him in the end. So, I had come to terms with my reality—I loved him while he loved someone else. At least, when I was no longer here, he would find happiness with Stacey, the woman he yearned for and loved.
Hi, Dear readers! This is not your typical happy ending story so I hope you will like it. Please tell me what you think on the comments, I would love to know your thoughts. If you like it, please gift me with your gems. Happy reading!
Third Person’s POV Two years ago Jared found himself at the epicenter of a turbulent storm. His world, once familiar and stable, had suddenly become a maelstrom of conflicting desires, expectations, and frustrations. It all began with a confrontation that would forever change the course of his life. In the dimly lit living room, anger radiated from Jared like a palpable force. His gaze, ablaze with fury, fixated on Colleen, a poised and enigmatic presence seated on an elegant couch. "You want me to marry her?" Jared's voice boomed, his finger accusingly pointing in Colleen's direction. His outrage was a tempest brewing beneath the surface, threatening to engulf everything in its path. Colleen remained composed, her eyes meeting Jared's with a calm that seemed to aggravate him further. She was, after all, at the heart of this familial tempest. "I have a girlfriend, and you know that," Jared continued, his voice rising in frustration. "What on earth made you suddenly decide that I s
Jared's POV Uncertainty gnawed at me as I contemplated whether Stacey would agree to this unusual arrangement. The prospect of revealing all the intricate details of my impending marriage was daunting. I decided it was best to keep the conversation with Stacey simple and straightforward. She needed to know that I had no intention of severing our relationship because of the company's demands. To be perfectly honest, our relationship was almost too good to be true. We had never experienced those fierce arguments or heated disagreements that often test a couple's bond. Stacey had a remarkable way of managing our relationship with grace and poise. She never lost her temper with me, even when circumstances pushed me to the brink. It was as if she were immune to my flaws. There had been moments when I failed to meet Stacey's expectations, like the time she waited for me at a boutique until it closed. The clothes she desired were sold to another customer because my flight had been delayed
Stacey's POV I was with Derrick, making out in his living room, when Jared called me. I didn't want to answer, but Derrick urged me to do so. I rolled my eyes at him, and he just laughed silently, worried that Jared might hear him. I answered his call in my sweetest voice so he wouldn't notice anything unusual. He said he wanted to talk to me tomorrow, so I agreed. He was always so surprised that he would call me out of nowhere and ask me to see him the next day. I acted worried and asked him if there was anything wrong. He said nothing and just reminded me. He is at tomorrow's meeting. I said yes, and we hung up the call. "What is it?" Derrick asked curiously. "He wanted to see me tomorrow. We just saw each other about two days ago, and yet he wanted to see me. I wonder what it is that he will be giving me,", I told him, and he laughed. "I didn't know that Jared was that idiot; I mean, we had been cheating him from the very beginning, and yet he didn't get any clue. Does his bra
Third Person's POV The breakup with Stacey angered Jared so much. He pitied her for hurting her, and he was sure that Stacey was mad at him now. He thought Stacey loved him so much. That's why he felt frustrated. As for Colleen, the woman he was about to marry, he didn't know what would happen to her. Marriage is a lifetime commitment for him, and he believes in the sanctity of marriage. If there was something in this world that Jared was most serious about, it was marriage. Jared was now in their library and decided to read to get rid of everything that was happening in his life in his head for a moment. For him, reading was the best medicine to clear his mind. He has been a bookworm ever since, and he has brought that up to himself until now. He was sitting on the couch reading a Tom Clancy book when his sister Ingrid got in and got his attention. "What do you want?" he asked, putting the book on his lap. He was sitting comfortably on the couch with a cup of coffee, sitting at th
Ingrid's POV I wanted to pity Jared for being mad about everything. I didn't want that to happen, and I knew Mom as well. When I found out that he was in our library, I gathered myself, went to see him, and had a little chat with him. As I entered the room, I saw him seated on the couch beside the shelf where his favorite author's books were properly lined up according to their date of publication. Yes, from the oldest to the latest. She knew how much Jared liked to read when he was still a kid. I had a feeling that reading calmed him and made him think rationally. That's why I asked mom and dad to put a library at home. I love my little brother so much. Although it was a bit awkward to call him my little brother when he was way taller than me, he even passed as my big brother. He was overprotective of me. You think that because I'm older than him, that makes me dominant over him. But I wasn't. He was dominating me and our entire family. He is really fit to be the CEO of our multi
Jared's POV After my breakup with Stacey, I stayed at home. I was feeling guilty towards her, and I was afraid I might go and see her if I didn't distance myself from her. I needed to calm myself and be rational about everything. I didn't want to have a fight with my mom and sister. They had relied on me ever since my dad passed away, and he asked me to take care of both my mom and sister, Ingrid. I didn't want to break my promise to him, as I knew he had done everything to protect us as well. Now that it was my turn, I had to hold myself back so I wouldn't hate them. I love Stacey, but maybe not as much as I love my family. It's not entirely about the company; that's why I decided to agree with them. It was for them as well. We are close to each other, and I didn't want matters like this to break our family apart. I went to our mini library and decided to calm myself there through reading. I really need it. I asked one of our maids to bring me a cup of coffee as well. I was in my r
Colleen's POV Reading helps me relax, and I make sure to do this from time to time. I didn't want any negativity in life because I don't have much of that. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in peace and harmony. I was now on my small sofa and reading when I heard the message alert tone on my phone. I took it and read the message I received. It was from an unknown number, but I still read it, thinking it was important. "Let's meet at Lin's Café; this is Jared's girlfriend." I thought for a moment. How did she know my number? The only contacts on my phone were Mommy Claire, Ingrid, and my doctor, and I'm sure that none of them would just give my number to anyone. "OK," I replied. I didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting her. Maybe she wanted me not to marry Jared. "3 pm later," she replied. I did not bother texting her back, as I had already confirmed that I would be going. Lin's Cafe was just beside the hospital where I was doing my check-up. I might as well visit m
Dr. Gerard's POV I called Colleen to make sure that she didn't forget her check-up for later. Although she was very punctual, I always made myself present in her daily life. I always feel like I want to protect her with everything. She was my patient, who was about to die in three years if she didn't manage to have her surgery on time. She was alone, and her parents lived separately with their new families, and none of them knew about her condition. I admire her for being strong and good-spirited. I never saw her lose hope when it came to her situation. She was always positive in her way of thinking, and even if she ended up thinking she would die, I never saw her eating sad. I remember when I offered her my help. "Why don't you accept my help?" I asked her. "You already waived your professional fee for me. I didn't want you to spend it on my surgery as well," she replied. "You will have your own family, and the amount of my surgery was enough for you to take care of them and give