Days passed in a blur of medications and check-ups. Jack's injuries slowly healed, but his mind remained restless, consumed with worry about Sarah. Every nurse and doctor he asked remained tight-lipped, respecting patient confidentiality.

Each day that passed without news of Sarah felt like an eternity. Jack's body might have been healing, but his soul was in constant turmoil. He replayed every moment they'd shared in Lily Corner, searching for clues he might have missed about her health. The weight of his concern was matched only by his growing determination. He knew now that he couldn't live without her, couldn't go back to the empty life he'd led before. Whatever Sarah was facing, he would face it with her - if only he could find her. As his discharge date approached, Jack's resolve hardened. He would not leave this hospital without answers, without seeing Sarah's face again.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the day of his release arrived. He was still sore, limping slightly, but he could walk on his own. The nurse helped him gather his belongings, and he signed the necessary paperwork.

As he made his way towards the exit, he scanned the area hoping for a glimpse of Sarah.

And then, just as he reached the hospital doors, he spotted her car nearby. She was here! He would wait for her. Before even stepping outside, he saw her approaching the car door.

He paused for a moment, taking in the view of the woman he had missed so dearly. If it weren't for her familiar car, he might have searched for her elsewhere. Sarah looked different from when he had left. She seemed thinner, almost as if she had lost weight even while standing in front of him. As he watched her, she suddenly coughed and he feared she would collapse from how violently her shoulders shook.

"Sarah..." he called out to her and rushed over, holding her upright so she wouldn't fall, despite his own weakness.

She turned to him with surprise in her eyes. "Jack! What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be in bed?

"I’m ok, they just released me." He held her tightly, afraid of losing her again. She stood stiffly for a moment, but then relaxed as he refused to let go. "Oh, Sarah... You should have told me. I could have helped you carry this weight."

She pushed him away, looking angry.

"What did he tell you? I can’t believe he would do that. It's not a birthday party announcement. This is private!"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"He wouldn’t tell me anything, but he did let it slip that there was something… Because he knows how much I care about you. He understands that our lives are intertwined."

"Stop that!" Her body stiffened. "Stop saying such rubbish! Do you want to die when I do?"

"I don't mind," Jack said honestly, tears blurring his vision. "I don't freaking care! You are my life, and you will as well be my death. I am already dead without you."

"You must be crazy!" she exclaimed fiercely. "Go home!"

"Why?" Jack murmured, his gaze locked on hers—those eyes that held so much compassion, so much unguarded love. Eyes that saw past his darkness and melted it away, inch by inch. "Why are you pushing me away, Sarah, when you know we belong together?"

“Because I don’t want you to see me like this!” she cried, tears welling up. “Love shouldn’t be weak and bowed by sickness. It should be happy and full of life until old age. It should be strong, not broken by watching someone you love fade away.”

Jack’s expression softened, his voice tender. “I know that’s not what you’re really afraid of. I read the book too, Sarah. You’re afraid our souls will entwine.”

“This illness takes it all away, Jack—piece by piece,” she whispered fiercely, her voice cracking. “I watched my father crumble as he helplessly tried to care for my mother, losing her bit by bit, day after day. Imagine that. Imagine being powerless to stop the person you love from slipping away. Imagine, Jack!”

Her words ended in a wail, her body trembling as she collapsed against him, sobbing uncontrollably into his shoulder. Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he could somehow keep her from unraveling.

The tears that blurred his vision came cascading down, and Jack knew that he loved this woman so much. He would love her until death came in jealously and stole her away. The minutes and hours and days before then would be their own victory, their own life.

"Listen to me, Sarah," Jack said even as her head was buried in his chest. "My soul is already entwined with yours. That is all that has saved me from utter damnation. Without you I die, the body might live but my soul would be consumed without you. I don't care if we've got one day...our love will be possible and beautiful in it. We will make memories and store them for ourselves. I don't care about death and what price it will claim. I care about life with you now and everything that means."

Tears streamed down her face as she desperately tried to find the right words to contradict her thoughts.

"Shhh!" He gently rubbed her back, feeling her delicate spine underneath his fingers. "Don't give voice to your doubts. Focus on the good."

She sniffed and fell silent for a moment.

"I love you," she blurted out, followed by a brief laughter. "It feels good to say that... So good."

"I love you too." More tears welled up in his eyes as he felt overwhelmed with joy. "I love you more than words can express."

He held her tightly, not minding the chunk of flesh missing from her body.