Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

After stepping out of the cab, she transferred a hundred bucks to the driver via her phone.

The driver, sensing her sour mood, plastered a grin on his face. "Miss, if you're feeling down, maybe I can help lighten the mood?"

Carol stiffened, the creepiness of his offer washing over her. She backed away hastily, not even bothering to pop open her

umbrella. She was already drenched to the bone—what was a little more rain?

The sound of the downpour mingled with the driver's chuckling as it hammered against her ears.

She quickened her pace and entered her apartment building, which was cheap and consequently lacked proper security. The driver

followed her, probably assuming she had no one to turn to since her phone call earlier seemed merely to embolden herself.

The dangers a woman faced alone were often beyond imagination.

Carol made a beeline for a nearby 24-hour convenience store, where a dozen others had taken refuge from the storm. The cabbie,

seeing the crowd, finally cursed under his breath and left.

Standing in the store, Carol was soaked despite the umbrella in her hand.

The other customers stared at her, wondering why she hadn't used it.

Too scared to head back alone, she settled into the most secluded corner she could find.

She sneezed again, the chill seeping into her bones.

Meanwhile, Felix had arrived at the hospital, oblivious to the rain, his mind consumed with thoughts of Listina waking up.

Entering her room, he saw her eyes were indeed open, though she couldn't speak yet.

"Listina," he rasped, grabbing her hand urgently.

The doctor, checking her vitals, spoke evenly, "She'll be up in a few days, but this isn't a good sign. She's hanging on by meds;

surgery's needed. Mr. Brown, you need to decide soon."

Felix pressed her hand to his cheek.

Knowing the couple's closeness, the doctor sighed, "Ms. Geo called for you when she awoke. Visit more often, Mr. Brown; it could

help."

Felix promised, never taking his eyes off Listina, as if he'd miss something

rain pelting the windows,

still didn't

by Listina's hospital bed all night, and the next morning he had to go

the hospital. This the really threw

of the year.

had to speed up. If her brain tumor worsened, Listina

had to convince

Carol, he raised his eyebrows slightly. It seemed that he had left

go back

to his place, cooked up two dishes,

had coughed through the night, alone and fearful, scared the stalking driver was still outside or

might appear.

relied on multiple cups of

sense of injustice

several times with no

be so important to ignore her

but couldn't

night, she felt weak and was startled by a knock at

she peered out to see

was dressed in his work uniform, exuding a sunny

"Carol, have you eaten?"

gentle tone, but she

touched her

She looked away.

lifted her

him away,

you want to get

he

she almost forgave him on

kiss, Felix opened

"I made you breakfast."

circles under his eyes. "Where

missed your calls;

"Is everything okay now?"

knowing it was