Chapter 2
The cold wind brushed Gabriella’s face, seeping through her skin and into her bones.
She shook her head. “Not now. And not like this.”
Reynald snorted. “If you were really so ready to die, you wouldn’t have climbed over corpses to stay alive.”
The color drained from her face. No one knew better than him exactly where to stab to make it hurt most.
Reynald walked out with Vanessa, and the others followed.
Gabriella leaned against the wall, trembling, tears slipping uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Her phone rang. It was Reynald’s doctor, Gwen Loretta.
Only two people in the States could do a heart transplant on Reynald- Gwen and her retired mentor.
No one knew Gwen was Gabriella’s best friend. Even fewer knew she’d agreed to take Reynald’s case just because Gabriella begged her to.
“What the hell does signing that donation paper mean? Even if you’re a match, you know a living person can’t donate a heart!” Gwen’s voice was sharp and frantic.
“I know. That’s why I only have two weeks left.”
“You’re insane! He tortured you for five years! Letting him die is a blessing! I won’t allow this…”
“But he was right about one thing. I carry a murderer’s blood. And every second I stay alive, it reminds me of the one person I loved most… who died for me.”
Gabriella let out a bitter laugh.
“Living is too hard. And I don’t want to owe him anything anymore. I’m sorry, Gwennie. Please. Help me one last time.”
Gwen knew. Gabriella’s mind was made up. She couldn’t stop her.
After a long pause, Gwen’s voice cracked. “…Okay.”
Gabriella hung up and walked out.
Just as she stepped out the hospital doors, Reynald’s car pulled up. “Get in. Time to take a family portrait.”
Her heart skipped.
Five years married–not a single photo together. If she could have one before dying, just to pretend she had a family, it’d be enough.
She got in the backseat. Vanessa turned from the front, eyes wide.
“Gabriella, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be here for your family photo, but I can’t bear to leave Rey. We don’t have much time left. Please… don’t kick me out.”
Reynald reached over and patted her head. “No need to apologize. She has no right to kick you out.
Gabriella smiled faintly. If he could mock her, she could play along.
They arrived at Cloudcrest Manor. The moment Reynald’s mother, Betty Yost, saw her, her face darkened.
“You damn curse. You killed your own mother and cursed my son. And
Chapter 2
now you dare show up for a family photo?
“Get out! Don’t taint my house!”
Gabriella wasn’t surprised. But still, her chest ached.
“Mom, we still need the photo,” Reynald said with a smile. “It’s unlucky to leave the spot next to me empty.”
Gabriella froze. Then, he shoved a camera into her hands. And walked over to stand with Vanessa and Betty.
“Alright. Now we can take it.”
Her heart sank like a stone.
He brought her here to take their family photo.
Gabriella smiled too. If he dared, so would she. She raised the camera.
The shutter clicked nonstop. Reynald and Vanessa grew more intimate by the frame. He even gave her a full French kiss–right in front of Gabriella.
When they were done, he turned to her–staring.
Her expression didn’t change. “Keep going. Out of poses? Want me to teach you?”
His eyes darkened. Then he walked up and took the camera from her hands. “You’ve worked hard. Let me take one of you, too.
“Come on, look here. Say cheese.”
He smiled, gentle and focused.
Gabriella froze. For a second, she saw the Reynald from five years ago.
The one who took her across the world, snapping photo after photo,
saying he wanted to capture every beautiful version of her.
“All done. Take a look.”
She blinked. He held out his phone. On the screen–a black–and–white portrait of her.
“Didn’t you say you were dying? Figured I’d get your obituary photo done early. Satisfied? Look dead enough?”
The malice in his eyes cut her like a blade.
She should’ve known.
Just like the funeral wreaths at their wedding, Reynald had never once offered her even a drop of kindness.
