My Best Friend's Dying Wish Was to Borrow My Boyfriend

1: 1

My best friend spent twenty-five years single, never once in love, and then the hospital handed her a critical-condition notice.

On the edge of death, she told me her one last wish.

The biggest regret of my life is that I never had one great, sweeping love.

Miri, in these last few days I have left, could I borrow your boyfriend? Then even as a ghost, I'd have no regrets.

I cried so hard I could barely breathe.

Before I could get a word out, Walter Delgado stepped forward from beside me, almost frantic.

"I'm willing!"

"Don't talk like that. You're going to be fine. I'll find you the best doctors in the world!"

Since it was my best friend's dying wish, I said nothing.

But I never imagined she would stay ill for three whole years.

Never cured, never dying.

At first Walter was full of guilt toward me. In the end, he only grew more and more impatient.

On our fifth anniversary, he left me alone at the restaurant to sit under everyone's stares.

I only sent him a single question mark.

The next second, his call came through.

"Are you out of your mind? I told you I'm taking Lucy Henson to her follow-up today. What are you texting me for? What if she saw it and read into it?"

"She already feels she owes you for borrowing your boyfriend, and now you're deliberately making things harder for her?"

"Forget the meal. Box it up and bring it home, and apologize to Lucy while you're at it. The happier she is, the faster she'll recover."

The call cut off. I looked at the storm outside the window, and suddenly I laughed.

For the tenth time, the waiter came to my table and knocked on the surface.

"Miss, may we bring the food out now? The customers waiting behind you have been here quite a while."

I looked down. The screen still showed the ended call.

"No need. Just box it up. My friend had something come up, he's not coming."

The waiter paused, his eyes flicking over the candles and roses I'd set out ahead of time.

He didn't ask anything more, just turned and left.

Muffled laughter drifted over from the next table, pricking my ears like needles.

I gripped my phone, took the bag, and walked out into the rain.

The cold water poured down the back of my neck, biting to the bone.

When I reached my front door, I heard stifled crying inside.

I pushed the door open. Walter was down on one knee on the carpet.

Lucy was curled up in the sofa, one hand pressed to her chest, sobbing so hard her whole body shook.

"It's all my fault, my useless body..."

"If I hadn't suddenly felt sick, you wouldn't have missed your anniversary."

"If I'd known it would come to this, I'd rather have died in the hospital three years ago than be looked down on now by my best friend..."

"Don't say that."

Walter went frantic in an instant.

"You didn't ask to be sick. How is any of this your fault?"

"Miriam Pruitt is just too petty, clinging to every little thing. Don't take it to heart."

The words had barely left his mouth when he heard the sound at the entryway and turned his head.

The moment he saw me, the tenderness vanished from his face, replaced by cold contempt.

"What are you standing there for? Come apologize! Do I have to invite you?"

"If I hadn't been home tonight, Lucy would've had her attack just now with no one beside her!"

"She treats you as her best friend, and this is how you repay her, sulking at me over some stupid anniversary. What is wrong with you?"

I said nothing, bent, and set the takeout boxes on the table.

Rainwater dripped from the ends of my hair onto the floor.

"You agreed to tonight's date two weeks ago. I waited three hours at the restaurant. Don't I even have the right to send one text to ask?"

Walter's face darkened at once.

He came over, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me roughly in front of the sofa.

"So you waited three hours, so what? Once Lucy is well, we'll have all the time in the world for anniversaries. Do you really have to blow this out of proportion?"

"Apologize to Lucy. Now."

"Don't... don't be like this..."

Lucy reached out and weakly tugged at Walter's sleeve.

"It's my fault. Don't blame Miri. She doesn't need to apologize to me..."

"I got in the way of the two of you. I'm the one who should apologize..."

"You're just too kind!"

Walter turned, steadying her by the shoulders, his voice full of aching sympathy.

"She nearly upset you into another attack, and you're still defending her? You almost got yourself killed by your own best friend. How do you not have a single bit of temper?"

I stood where I was.

Watching the man I'd loved for five years half-kneeling in front of another woman.

My heart felt like a hand had clamped down hard around it, the pain so bad I couldn't breathe.

Just as I was about to speak.

Lucy let out a sudden muffled groan and clutched her chest.

2: 2

"Lucy!"

Walter's face changed in an instant. Without a thought he swept her up into his arms.

He turned toward the bedroom, and as he passed me he threw out one line:

"Look at what you've done!"

"Bang"

The bedroom door slammed shut behind him.

I stood outside it and knocked.

Nothing.

Walter kept the key to the guest room himself, always had.

Wind poured in off the balcony, cold enough to make me shiver.

I walked over to the couch and sat down.

Lucy's perfume still clung to the cushions, so sweet it turned bitter.

Now and then their voices drifted out of the bedroom.

I pulled my knees up and curled into the couch, eyes open, and sat there until morning.

At eight the door was knocked on.

I pushed myself up on legs gone numb and went to open it.

Owen Henson and Penelope Henson stood outside, both faces full of worry.

The moment Penelope saw it was me, her expression dropped.

"Miriam, where's Lucy? How is she?"

Owen's brows were knotted, and the first thing out of his mouth was an accusation:

"You're supposed to be Lucy's best friend. How could you do a thing like this? If Walter hadn't called, we'd still have no idea!"

"Lucy's heart has never been strong. Three years ago she nearly didn't make it. Why can't you give a little? Why do you have to fight her over everything?"

My hand gripped the doorframe. I didn't even have the strength left to explain.

It was Lucy who had come to me in tears back then, begging to borrow my boyfriend to fulfill a dying wish.

I nodded. I gave up the man I loved.

How had it all become my fault in the end?

"Move!"

Owen shoved past me, impatient.

I lost my footing and hit the wall with my back, hard enough that my bones ached.

They stepped over me and went straight into the bedroom.

"My poor girl, are you all right? You scared your mother half to death..."

"Dad, Mom, why did you come all this way? I'm fine. Don't blame Miri, she didn't mean it..."

"Foolish child, still defending her!"

Walter's voice was folded in among theirs, gentle as he soothed the two of them, dropping a joke here and there to keep them smiling.

The four of them talked and laughed, easy as a real family.

And I stood in my own marital home like an outsider who didn't belong.

Before long Walter came out of the bedroom.

Seeing me still standing there, he frowned.

"What are you standing around for? Go pour a few cups of warm water. It's not easy for Lucy's parents to come all this way."

He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, the way you'd order the maid.

I didn't argue. I turned and went to the kitchen.

Cup after cup, I carried them in, three refills in all.

Every time I went in, they were talking about Lucy's condition. Not one of them glanced at me.

After the last refill I turned to go.

Walter fished a key out of his pocket and tossed it at my feet.

"Go wait in your room. Stop wandering around out here and setting off her parents."

As he spoke he was busy peeling grapes for Lucy, not even lifting his head.

I looked down at the key on the floor and bent to pick it up.

I said nothing. I turned and walked out.

At noon the Hensons left.

Walter told them to be careful on the road, promised again and again that he'd take good care of Lucy.

In the end he even went down himself to see them off.

The front door closed. The footsteps faded.

The master bedroom door stayed shut. Lucy didn't come out.

I pushed open the door and took one last look at the guest room I'd lived in for three years.

How absurd.

The marital home I once decorated with my own hands, and now all I got was one pitiful corner of it.

The ache in my chest kept surging up, and I couldn't stop it.

I pulled open my suitcase and started stuffing clothes into it.

Halfway through, a heavy thud came from the living room.

My heart lurched. I dropped the clothes and ran out.

In the living room, Lucy lay on the rug in front of the couch.

One hand clutched her chest, and she was gasping, dragging in air.

The TV on the wall was on.

On the screen, a frantic motorcycle racing game.

The roar of the engines was deafening.

My chest tightened, and I spun to go get her medicine from the bedroom.

Just then Walter came back from seeing off the Hensons and saw Lucy on the floor at a glance.

His face changed in an instant. He rushed over in a few strides and shoved me aside without a thought.

"Miriam, have you lost your mind?!"

"You know Lucy's heart is bad, that she can't take any shock, and you still put something like this on for her to watch? Are you trying to kill her?"

3: 3

The shove sent me straight into the corner of the coffee table, a dull pain spreading through my lower back.

Swallowing it, I tried to explain.

That game was your anniversary gift. I bought it for you and kept it in the cabinet. I never gave it to her...

You're still making excuses!

Walter cut me off, his voice like a whip.

If you didn't put it out, who did, Lucy herself? She can barely walk. How would she go digging through your things?

Can't you own up to anything? Is it that hard to admit when you've done something wrong?

What are you standing there for? Go get her medicine!

He roared it loud enough to make my ears ring.

I bit my lip and stumbled into the bedroom, rummaging out the pill bottle from the nightstand.

After the medicine went down, Lucy's breathing slowly evened out.

She leaned into Walter's arms, eyes brimming with tears, her voice faint.

Walt, don't blame Miri. It's all my fault. I only came out to get a glass of water, and I happened to see it... don't blame her...

You're still defending her!

It tore at Walter's heart, and he held her tighter.

When he turned back to me, the disgust in his eyes nearly spilled over.

I wanted to leave two bodyguards here to look after Lucy, and you dug in and refused, saying you didn't want strangers in the house, no privacy. Well, now look. I step out to see someone off, and in that little while she nearly dies!

I think you had bad intentions from the start. You can't wait for Lucy to die. This whole thing was planned by you all along!

I looked at him, and all at once it struck me as absurd.

Three years.

I'd stepped back again and again, given way time after time.

I'd thought there was still some place for me in his heart, that he was just blinded by his guilt.

But it turned out that in his eyes I'd long since become a madwoman scheming to kill her best friend.

I looked at him and said it word by word.

Walter, let's break up.

He looked as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world, so furious he laughed.

He set Lucy gently down on the sofa.

Then he stood and came toward me, his eyes cold and vicious.

What, hit a nerve, so now you feel guilty? You want to break up and just walk away? It's not that easy.

I haven't put up with you just once or twice. You go after Lucy every single time. Today I'm going to teach you a lesson so you remember it.

I stepped back on instinct.

What are you going to do?

He didn't answer. He took out his phone and made a call, his tone ice-cold.

Send two men up. Get the safety rope ready on the rooftop.

He hung up and looked down at me, his voice cold.

You like watching Lucy fight for her life on the edge, don't you? Then you can have a taste of it yourself.

Not two minutes later, two bodyguards walked in.

Mr. Delgado.

Walter's tone was flat, as if he were mentioning something of no importance.

Take her up there. Tie her to the edge of the rooftop and leave her hanging for a full day and night.

I want her to really understand what it feels like to fight for your life on the edge.

No! Walter, you can't do this!

The blood drained from my face in an instant, and I scrambled back as hard as I could.

I've been afraid of heights since I was little, and no one knew that better than him.

We used to climb stairs together, and past the third floor he'd carry me on his back, terrified I'd get scared.

And now he wanted to punish me like this, for another woman.

Walter raised an eyebrow and signaled the bodyguards to move.

Why can't I? What Lucy went through, you should taste it too.

The two bodyguards stepped forward and pinned my arms, one on each side.

I fought them with everything I had.

Walter, I'm afraid of heights! Have you forgotten? Please, let me go!

He turned his face away and didn't spare me another look.

This is what you deserve.

They dragged me toward the rooftop.

My nails tore open my palms and still I couldn't break free.

The wind on the rooftop was fierce, cutting into my face like a blade.

A rope was bound around my waist, and I hung suspended over the edge of the rooftop.

Six stories down below.

One glance down and the world spun and reeled.

Fear swallowed me like a rising tide.

I screamed, I sobbed, I begged Walter to bring me down.

But there was no answer.

Only the howling wind in my ears.

I don't know how long it went on.

My throat went hoarse from screaming, my tears ran dry.

The sun rose and set again.

A full day and night, not a drop of water.

My whole body went limp as mud.

When my mind was already blurring, the rope began to pull upward.

I hit the ground hard.

Everything went black, and I lost consciousness completely.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

4: 4

There was a needle in the back of my hand, an IV dripping.

The room was empty. Not a single person.

I moved my fingers. My whole body hurt so much it felt like it was falling apart.

Creak

The door swung open.

Lucy Henson walked in.

Her makeup was flawless, not a trace of the frail invalid, and there was a mocking little smile at the corner of her mouth.

You're awake?

Miriam, I honestly have to hand it to you.

Three years. Watching your own boyfriend fawn over me every single day, and you still managed to hold out this long. Your skin's a lot thicker than I ever gave you credit for.

My eyes shot wide open.

You...

Me what?

Walter wasn't here, so she dropped the act entirely, reaching up to smooth her hair.

You've been suspicious this whole time, haven't you? Well, out of the goodness of my heart, I'll tell you now. Yes, my terminal illness was fake.

Three years ago I already knew how soft Walter's heart was. All I had to do was pretend I was dying and bring up a dying wish, and of course he'd agree to it.

Look at you. These three years he's spent far more time with me than with you. What good is clinging to the title of official girlfriend? His heart left you a long time ago.

A cold went through me, like I'd dropped into a pit of ice.

She straightened up, watching my white face, and the smile at her lips grew wider.

Oh, right. There's one thing I forgot to tell you.

Do you know why you've been in the hospital this long and your parents still haven't come to see you?

My heart clenched.

They heard you'd been bullying me, and they were rushing over to apologize on your behalf. Then they had a car accident on the way.

Lucy said it lightly, playing with her long manicured nails.

They're lying in a room right upstairs from you. The hospital issued the critical condition notice a while ago.

Walter had actually lined up a specialist from overseas to do the surgery. Except, well...

She paused, her smile smug.

One word from me, and he won't sign the consent.

So tell me, Miriam. Do you think you'll end up an orphan?

You're lying!

I bolted upright, and the needle in the back of my hand tore loose. Blood welled out at once.

My parents treated you like their own daughter. How could you do this to them!

Lucy let out a scornful little laugh.

It's only because they were decent to me that I didn't have them killed outright. I left them their worthless lives.

A roar went off in my head.

My mind went blank.

So the car accident had been her doing too.

This best friend I'd given my whole heart to for over ten years.

Not only had she stolen my boyfriend, now she wanted my parents dead.

Rage shot straight to the top of my head.

I threw off the blanket and lunged at her like a madwoman.

I pinned her to the floor, straddled her, and swung my hand down at her face.

Lucy, you lunatic! What did my parents ever do to you? Why would you hurt them like this!

The needle went skittering far across the floor.

Blood ran down off my fingertips from the back of my hand, but I couldn't even feel the pain anymore.

Bang!

Right then the door was kicked open.

Walter stood in the doorway, and at the sight in front of him his eyes went bloodshot with fury.

He rushed over and drove his foot into my shoulder.

I flew back two meters, my spine slamming into the leg of the bed, the pain sharp enough to make me suck in a breath.

Miriam, you've lost your mind!

He gathered Lucy against him, checking her over for injuries.

When he saw the handprint on her face, his chest heaved with rage.

Lucy came here out of kindness to see you, and you actually dared to hit her!

I see it now. Your parents' accident was karma! They raised a daughter with a heart this poisonous, so getting hit by a car is exactly what they deserve!

I was actually going to save their lives. The doctor from overseas is already on the plane. But now, there's no need!

He pulled out his phone and called his assistant.

Turn the jet around. Cancel the surgery!

No! Walter, no!

The blood drained from my face. I scrambled across the floor and grabbed the leg of his pants.

I was wrong, I shouldn't have hit her, call the doctor back, I'm begging you...

Too late.

He backhanded me across the face.

The blow knocked my head to the side, blood seeping from the corner of my mouth.

With everything I had left, I screamed the truth out.

Walter, her illness is fake! The accident was arranged by her too! She just told me herself, with her own mouth!

I thought that once he knew the truth he'd be stunned, that he'd regret it.

But hearing it only made him angrier.

Even now you're still trying to frame Lucy?

He reached out and closed his hand around my throat, the pressure tightening bit by bit.

You really are beyond saving!

Lucy is kind. Time after time she's spoken up for you, and time after time you throw filth on her. What exactly is your heart made of?

I couldn't breathe, and my vision kept going black.

Right then a timid voice came from the doorway.

Um...

The nurse who'd come to change my dressing stood there, hesitated, then spoke.

This is a VIP room. Inside... there are security cameras.